College football season is over. This is a sad thing for many people. Even though I really do not have a team, college football has become a big part of my life. I really think it is due to their Twitter users are the best out there. CFB Twitter is by far the best Twitter. BCS is also over as the college football playoff will begin next year. It closes with two teams whom have already won a BCS National Championship in Florida State and Auburn. One is more likely to be there with the other trying to finish their date with destiny as well as ensure the SEC had the final seven BCS National Championships.Thinking back to different BCS National Championship teams, they are loaded with players who are currently playing in the NFL and making a big impact with their collective teams. Florida State might be the next team. They are completely loaded on both sides of the football. All 22 players starting for the Seminoles tonight will get drafted without question, and they are led by their Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston who is having one of the best seasons ever.
People really believe in Auburn's defense, but at the same time, they have given up 30 points multiple times this season even in a winning effort. That should be a major red flag heading into a game against Winston and Florida State as they will break 2008 Oklahoma's record of total points with four touchdowns. Auburn will try to find some ways to break this Florida State team, but how exactly do you stop Winston? The only thing I could come to is a true zone defense maybe channeling their inner Lovie Smith or Monte Kiffin (ACTUALLY STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THAT ONE). Winston has been crazy good against the blitz this season meaning the zone will be their friends and a cover two could ensure their secondary is protected better than blitzing leaving a poor defensive backfield on an island.
If there is one defect in Auburn's game, it is their secondary. Tigers do not really have strong cornerbacks, and the only way to save them against Winston might be putting them in zones all game long. Tigers passing defense could be the unraveling of this team on Monday night though no matter what. Auburn gives up around 260 yards per game, and they do not force many turnovers, only 13 interceptions this season. In no way whatsoever, Kelvin Benjamin cannot get behind the Auburn's secondary or it will be curtains for this defense. Further, Auburn should admit themselves early on that Benjamin will at least have one or two big plays and cut off the head of the other players.
No one thought Auburn would be here at August. People thought they would have an improving year, but a BCS appearance in the Sugar Bowl would have definitely suffice this January. Therefore Auburn is playing with house money. If they win, they carry an SEC torch for another year but if they lose, it was a hell of a season no matter what. Sometimes when a team plays with house money, they play loose and free leading to good things. Auburn is the best rushing team in the nation, and they will go up against one of the best rushing defenses in the country. Hate to sound like John Madden here pointing the obvious, but Auburn will need to run the football efficiently to win the game without question.
If Tre Mason and company are able to run the football and control the clock, they can win this football game. The longer they can keep Winston and Florida State's explosive offense off the field, the better. There is a slight problem though. Florida State's starting defense has not allowed a touchdown all season. I have to think knowing the kind of coach Gus Malzahn is, there will be some trick plays tonight. I expect Auburn to try and catch Florida State off-guard multiple times in this football game as this will be another way for the Tigers to keep the ball longer than expected. Additionally, they need Nick Marshall to at least complete a couple passes even if they are not the pretty ones Winston is throwing when Florida State has the ball.Many people are calling for a Florida State blowout. These are the same folks who were calling for an Alabama blowout last year. I went against the grain last year and took Notre Dame. I cannot pick against Florida State in this game, but I do think five weeks for Malzahn will do more good for Auburn than it will do for the Seminoles and Jimbo Fisher. Additionally, whenever a player wins a Heisman trophy, their following game in the bowl is not a guaranteed great game. In the end, Winston will find a way to win this game late, but Florida State needs to slam the door on destiny before it gets a chance. Florida State 41 Auburn 31
Charlie.
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