We knew what we were getting from top-ranked and defending national champion Florida State. The question was what kind of effort would Oklahoma State show, and what would happen when they got down early? A year ago, a 17-0 deficit against these Seminoles was an automatic death sentence, and usually a quite painful one.
Oklahoma State fell behind 17-0 in the second quarter and, so far, they’ve lived to tell about it. The Cowboys survived an awful J.W. Walsh pick six and a Mario Pender 11-yard touchdown rush to forge a 17-10 halftime deficit. Desmond Roland punched in a 1-yard scoring plunge with 3:58 to go in the first half and, after intercepting Jameis Winston for the second time of the night, set up a 37-yard Ben Grogan field goal as the clock hit quadruple zeroes on the first half.
A winning effort for these Cowboys undoubtedly requires two more Florida State turnovers and none of their own, because Walsh (8-of-14, 62 yards) isn’t getting it done through the air, and defensive coordinator Charles Kelly figures to sit on the run over the final 30 minutes.
Florida State (205 passing yards, 27 rushing) gets the ball to open the second half.