Last weekend’s game between Florida State and Clemson was the ACC’s biggest game in a long time. Next week there will be another match-up of undefeated top ten teams when Florida State hosts Miami. Florida State had a much easier time Saturday than the Hurricanes. While Miami needed a late touchdown to get by Wake Forest, Florida State jumped all over visiting North Carolina State and walked the rest of the way to another win. Florida State used a big first quarter en route to a 49-17 victory.
Jameis Winston ended his day early after having thrown for 312 yards and three touchdowns. All three of Winston’s touchdowns came in the first quarter that saw Florida State open a 35-0 lead. From the Seminoles put the game on cruise control. Winston’s performance should help him remain one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy. The freshman is playing very confidently right now, as he should be. Winston now has 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season and is completing over 70 percent of his passes. Saturday marked the fourth straight game with over 300 passing yards and fifth of the season.
Florida State has scored 41 points or more in each game played this season and this marked the sixth time the Seminoles held an opponent under 20 points this season. Boston College was the only team to break the 20-point mark against Florida State, scoring 34 in a game played in Boston a few weeks ago. Next up for Florida State will be the highly anticipated rivalry game with Miami. Miami narrowly escaped at home this afternoon against Wake Forest. The game could serve as a preview of the ACC Championship Game as Florida State leads the ACC’s Atlantic Division and Miami now sits alone in first place in the Coastal Division.
Florida State’s defense continues to play very well as well. The Seminoles created three turnovers against North Carolina State, including a pair of interceptions. Miami will have to find ways to protect the football next week against a Florida State team that is playing like a legitimate BCS title contender for the first time since Bobby Bowden was the head coach.