No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State
KICKOFF: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 8/30/14
SITE: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: ABC
SERIES: Florida State holds a 3-1 advantage in the series with Oklahoma State. The Cowboys’ only win was 15-6 in the first meeting in the 1958 Bluegrass Bowl in Louisville, Kentucky. The last time the two teams met was in the 1985 Gator Bowl with the Seminoles winning 34-23.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Not long after Heisman winner Jameis Winston marched Florida State down the field at the Rose Bowl in the final seconds and rallied to beat Auburn for the national championship, a hashtag began appearing on social media.
It read, “#Dallas2Dallas,” and it became a symbolic mantra for the Seminoles’ entire offseason — a moniker that was part reality, part optimism.
After all, Florida State’s first game of the 2014 season would be in Dallas against Oklahoma State. That much the Seminoles knew.
But whether the ‘Noles are going to be good enough to get the chance to defend their championship — on Jan. 12, 2015, also in Dallas, the site of this season’s title game — is still to be determined.
The quest begins in prime time with the Seminoles against unranked Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys are young and could field as many as 20 players who have not yet played at the major-college level, according to coach Mike Gundy’s estimation. Throughout the preseason, Gundy has expressed confidence in newcomers stepping up, filling spots and helping Oklahoma State remain viable in the Big 12, a conference it claimed in 2011 before tying for second in each of the past two seasons.
But they are taking on an opponent the returns 15 starters from a national championship team, including Winston.
“It may be a little overwhelming for some guys,” OSU sophomore guard Zac Vaetch said.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seminoles
–QB Jameis Winston threw for 4,057 yards and 40 touchdowns last season and became the second freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. Despite his amazing rookie season, Winston was left off several preseason All-America lists, so expect him to come out with a chip on his shoulder.
— RB Karlos Williams, a senior, is entering his first season as the starter, but you wouldn’t know it by how calm he acts about carrying the load of a backfield that lost two junior starters to the NFL. A converted defensive back who started last season on defense Williams finished second on the team in rushing with with 730 yards and 11 touchdowns.
–FS Jalen Ramsey might just be the team’s biggest defensive playmaker this year. Ramsey was the first freshman free safety to start at Florida State since the days of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
— DE Derrick Mitchell Jr. had the “best camp” of his career, according to coach Jimbo Fisher — and maybe of any Seminole all preseason. Mitchell, a redshirt junior, is seeing his first real playing time after missing 2011 and 2012 and seeing only limited action in 2013.
Cowboys
–LB Ryan Simmons was moved from the weakside to take over in the middle and has shown exceptional leadership in fall camp. Simmons ranked fourth among the Cowboys with 67 tackles last season and will be counted on to help with the quick development of the other two starters at linebacker.
–CB Kevin Peterson is the only returning starter in the secondary, yet was overshadowed on the other side by Justin Gilbert, who led the Big 12 with seven interceptions. Retaining some of that prowess in gaining takeaways will be huge if the Oklahoma State defense is to swing momentum.
–WR/KR Tyreek Hill, a junior college transfer, is considered an odds-on breakout performer who can impact a game as a receiver, rusher and returner. His speed is incredible, and he combines it with freakish moves..
–WR Jhajuan Seales will not boast the same kind of production as OSU’s big-time receivers (namely Dez Bryant) did in recent seasons. Still, the sophomore plays a valuable role as the top returnee with 39 catches for 571 yards last season.