Jameis Winston and his FSU teammates have been a load for opponents to handle this season. (Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports)
Man, what just happened?
That was the sentiment of Auburn fans around the country — and abroad — when Ohio State fell to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 7. The Buckeye loss, coupled with wins by the top-ranked Seminoles and Tigers, who were ranked No. 3 prior to the SEC title game, set the stage for an unlikely BCS title game.
Jimbo Fisher’s team entered the 2013 season on the fringe of the Top 10 in Lindy’s preseason rankings (No. 13 in fact), but behind Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and a slew of playmakers on offense and defense, the Seminoles (13-0) chewed up and spit out every opponent in their way en route to an undefeated regular season and an ACC title. The ‘Noles success wasn’t a big surprise.
But Auburn’s? … No one in their right mind could’ve predicted they’d be playing for the national title just one year removed from a 3-9 campaign.
Heck, Tiger fans were hoping for eight, maybe nine wins entering the season opener against Washington State. But AU fans got a whole lot more than they bargained for in Gus Malzahn’s first campaign on the Plains.
A lot of Auburn’s success has been based upon a wildly effective offense, led by Heisman finalist Tre Mason, dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall, a talented offensive line and great collection of skill players. But an opportunistic defense and outstanding special teams also put their stamp on the Tigers’ magical 12-1 season, which included a record-setting 59-42 SEC Championship Game win over then-No. 5 Missouri.
If you compare the Florida State and Auburn rosters, the talent edge goes to the Seminoles. That’s evident by glancing over our 2013 All-America Teams. But don’t underestimate the Tigers offensive ability and their big-game experience when the two teams lock horns in Pasadena. After all, Malzahn’s team did navigate through the nation’s toughest conference with only one loss. That has to account for something.
With that, we bring you our 2013 All-America Teams. We’ve also thrown in our Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Congratulations to all the players listed below on great seasons.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB — Jameis Winston, Florida State
RB — Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona
RB — Andre Williams, Boston College
WR — Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
WR — Mike Evans, Texas A&M
TE — Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
C — Brian Stork, Florida State
OG — Cyril Richardson, Baylor
OG — David Yankey, Stanford
OT — Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
OT — Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
AP — Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois
K — Roberto Aguayo, Florida State
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DE — Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
DT — Aaron Donald, Pitt
DT — Will Sutton, Arizona State
DE — Michael Sam, Missouri
LB — Anthony Barr, UCLA
LB — C.J. Mosley, Alabama
LB – Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
CB — Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
CB — Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
S — Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss
S — Deone Bucannon, Washington State
P — Drew Kaser, Texas A&M
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB — Derek Carr, Fresno State
RB — Tre Mason, Auburn
RB — Bishop Sankey, Washington
WR — Sammy Watkins, Clemson
WR — Davante Adams, Fresno State
TE — Eric Ebron, North Carolina
C — Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
OG — Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
OG — John Urschel, Penn State
OT — Cam Erving, Florida State
OT — Taylor Lewan, Michigan
AP – Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
K — Nate Freese, Boston College
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DE — Vic Beasley, Clemson
DT — Leonard Williams, USC
DT — Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
DE — Marcus Smith, Louisville
LB – Trent Murphy, Stanford
LB — Chris Borland, Wisconsin
LB — Khalil Mack, Buffalo
CB — Jason Verrett, TCU
CB — Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
S — Ahmad Dixon, Baylor
S — Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
P — Tom Hornsey, Memphis
THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
QB — AJ McCarron, Alabama
RB — Tyler Gaffney, Stanford
RB — Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
WR — Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
WR — Allen Robinson, Penn State
TE — Nick O’Leary, Florida State
C — Reese Dismukes, Auburn
OL — Greg Robinson, Auburn
OL — Zach Martin, Notre Dame
OL — Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
OL — Brandon Scherff, Iowa
AP – Marion Grice, Arizona State
K — Marvin Kloss, South Florida
THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
DE — Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
DT — Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
DT — Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota
DE — Dee Ford, Auburn
LB — Max Bullough, Michigan State
LB — Kyle Van Noy, BYU
LB — Shayne Skov, Stanford
DB — Aaron Colvin, Oklahoma
DB — Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
DB — Terrence Brooks, Florida State
DB — E.J. Gaines, Missouri
P — Cody Mandell, Alabama
Offensive Player of the Year: Jameis Winston, Florida State
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, Pitt
Coach of the Year: Gus Malzahn, Auburn
Team compiled by Lindy’s senior college football editor Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) and in-house editor/writer Matt Lowe (@MattLowe777)
