Game Introduction
After weeks of bowl preparation, No. 13 Florida State (9-3) is about to take the sector in Orlando, Florida, towards Oklahoma (6-6) within the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 29.
In seven all-time conferences, Oklahoma leads the collection 6-1. The Sooners defeated the Seminoles within the home-and-home collection they scheduled in 2010-11.
The Seminoles sat 4-3 halfway by way of the common season however got here out of their bye and rattled off 5 consecutive wins, together with two over in-state rivals Miami and Florida.
Head coach Brent Venables led Oklahoma to its worst report since 1998 in his first season in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners began 3-0 however went 3-6 towards the Big 12 and completed eighth within the convention.
Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Seminole headlines
Offense at full energy
The final time we noticed head coach Mike Norvell and FSU’s offense, they put up 45 factors and 497 complete yards towards Florida on Nov. 25.
Florida State has the posh different bowl groups do not: zero opt-outs.
The offense rests on the shoulders of redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Travis. He’ll have a full backfield behind him, led by redshirt sophomore working again Trey Benson, who’s returning in 2023. Travis and Benson mixed for 194 dashing yards and 5 touchdowns versus Florida.
This bowl is the ultimate recreation for redshirt senior vast receiver Ontaria Wilson, who has constructed a rapport with Travis and linked for 3 touchdowns in 2022. Redshirt sophomore Johnny Wilson hasn’t introduced his plans for subsequent season however is lively for the bowl recreation.
Handling being the favourite
The Seminoles swept each in-state rivals, climbed to No. 13 within the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings and capped the common season on a five-game win streak.
Their second half of the season garnered sufficient consideration to be 9.5-point favorites versus the Sooners. This bowl recreation gives the fanbase an early take a look at how FSU handles elevated expectations earlier than what’s trending to be a lofty 2023.
ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy mentioned Florida State is his favourite choose of bowl season on the 7:35 mark in this clip.
“I think Florida State might be my favorite pick of the bowl season because I think they’re going to dominate … dominate Oklahoma,” McElroy mentioned. “I really believe that.”
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With so many opt-outs for Oklahoma, it will be one thing to watch if FSU comes out pedal to the medal or sluggish.
Burning questions
How do the Seminoles fare towards Oklahoma’s offense?
Redshirt junior quarterback Dillion Gabriel operates the Sooners’ offense after three seasons on the University of Central Florida (UCF).
In 11 video games, Gabriel threw for two,925 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His 63% completion proportion was the second-highest mark of his profession.
In Oklahoma’s 51-48 time beyond regulation loss towards Texas Tech on Nov. 26, Gabriel had arguably his finest efficiency of 2022. He accomplished 28-of-40 passes for 449 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Even although senior working again Eric Gray opted out, Gabriel has his main weapon in junior vast receiver Marvin Mims Jr (52 receptions, 1,006 reciting yards, six touchdowns). He’ll even have freshman working again Jovante Barnes (89 rushes, 411 dashing yards and 4 touchdowns) out of the backfield.
During their win streak, the Seminoles’ protection has allowed 15.4 factors per recreation. In that span, they’ve additionally recorded seven turnovers.
Is this Jared Verse’s closing recreation at Florida State?
Following within the footsteps of former Seminole Jermaine Johnson II in 2021, redshirt sophomore defensive finish Jared Verse has bolstered Florida State’s protection instantly after coming to Tallahassee through the switch portal.
Despite battling accidents, Verse has totaled 41 tackles (19 solo), 7.5 sacks and one compelled fumble.
Like Johnson II, Verse has a chance to develop into a first-round draft choose within the 2023 NFL Draft. The Dayton, Ohio, native mentioned he’ll decide within the coming weeks after the bowl recreation.
Forecast
Unlike Oklahoma, Florida State would not have any starters who opted out. The Seminoles have a possible first-round NFL Draft choose in Verse suiting up and starters lively at each place. Both packages have not performed because the final week of November and have a number of weeks of preparation underneath their belts. Behind its veterans, Florida State will get its first bowl victory since 2017 and takes a six-game win streak into 2023.
Florida State 38, Oklahoma 27
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