Orange Bowl 2012: Florida State vs. Northern Illinois Info, Predictions and More

It's safe to assume that none of us saw this coming before the weekend started.

With Nebraska's beating by Wisconsin, as well as UCLA and Kent State losing, the door opened for MAC champion Northern Illinois to sneak into the Orange Bowl.

Not exactly the team most of us had in mind as BCS busters at the beginning of the season.

The Huskies (12-1) capped off the season with a dramatic overtime victory over Kent State, the team many had tabbed with the best shot of any non-automatic qualifying team to make a BCS game.

That win, coupled with some unexpected losses and some help from the AP voters, has catapulted Northern Illinois to the Orange Bowl to face ACC champion Florida State (11-2).

The Huskies will be a major underdog, but feature quarterback Jordan Lynch, who not only can throw the ball, but broke Denard Robinson's record for single-season rushing yards by a quarterback, with 1,771 yards going into this game.

In a matchup that is about as likely as a snowstorm in San Diego, NIU will play this game without head coach Dave Doeren, who has accepted the head coaching position at N.C. State.

Florida State and head coach Jimbo Fisher are likely salivating at the prospect of facing NIU, but the Huskies will be surprisingly difficult to contain on offense, guaranteed.

Game Day Info

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Fla.

When: January 1, 8:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time

TV: ESPN

Radio: ESPNRadio

Live Streaming: WatchESPN, ESPN3.com

Betting Line: Florida State +13.5

Key Storylines

Finally, we get a little "MACtion" in the BCS. While some fans are ecstatic that the little guys get a shot, it seems fair to state that the majority are a little peeved by this turn of events.

"

BCS is a joke... Any Northern Illinois fans want to buy an Orange Bowl ticket? Please contact me.

— Dan Griffin (@Dan_Griffin16) December 2, 2012"

Be that as it may, NIU is not exactly an everyday, run-of-the-mill MAC team.

This team features Jordan Lynch, the stellar quarterback who has tossed 24 touchdowns this season, rushed for 19 more and as has been mentioned, set the single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

They could keep it interesting against Florida State who needed an interception to seal the deal against 6-6 Georgia Tech in the ACC title game.

Also of interest, NIU will be without head coach Dave Doeren, who has vacated for the apparently greener pastures of N.C. State.

Florida State Depth Chart and Injury Report

Offense

QB - 3 EJ Manuel 6'5", 238, r-SR.

9 Clint Trickett 6'3", 180, r-So.

TB - 8 Devonta Freeman 5'8", 209, So.

or 32 James Wilder Jr. 6'2", 226, So.

FB - 24 Lonnie Pryor 6'0", 229, Sr.

41 Chad Abram 6'0", 235, Jr.

WR -  84 Rodney Smith 6'6", 219, Sr.

15 Greg Dent 5'11", 195, Jr.

1 Kelvin Benjamin 6'5", 242 r-Fr.

T - 75 Cameron Erving 6'6", 310, r-So.

67 Daniel Glauser 6'5", 305, Sr.

G - 70 Josue Matias 6'6", 326, So.

60 Jacob Fahrenkrug 6'4", 322, Sr.

C - 52 Bryan Stork 6'4", 312, r-Jr.

62 Austin Barron 6'3", 295, So.

53 Sterling Lovelady 6'3", 291, So.

G - 54 Tre' Jackson 6'4", 327, So.

51 Bobby Hart 6'4", 316, So.

T - 71 Menelik Watson 6'6", 320, Jr.

67 Daniel Glauser 6'5", 305, Sr.

TE - 35 Nick O'Leary 6'3", 238, So.

33 Kevin Haplea 6'4", 247, Jr.

83 Christo Kourtzidis 6'4", 246, Fr.

WR - 15 Greg Dent 5'11", 195, Jr.

81 Kenny Shaw 6'0", 170, Jr.

12 Jarred Haggins 6'0", 190, Fr.

89 Christian Green 6-2, 205, r-So.

WR - 80 Rashad Greene 6'0", 170, So.

81 Kenny Shaw 6'0", 170, Jr.

82 Willie Haulstead 6'2", 227, r-Jr.

Defense

DE - 95 Bjoern Werner 6'4", 255, Jr.

96 Tomshon Stevens 6'5", 245, r-Sr.

DT - 93 Everett Dawkins 6'3", 300, r-Sr.

97 Demonte McAllister 6'2", 285, r-Jr.

81 Eddie Goldman 6'4", 320 Fr.

DT - 92 Anthony McCloud 6'2", 310, r-Sr.

8 Timmy Jernigan 6'2", 310, r-Sr.

99 Nile Lawrence-Stample 6'1", 314, r-Fr.

DE - 51 Giorgio Newberry 6'6", 273, r.Fr.

15 Mario Edwards, Jr. 6'3", 288, Fr.

SLB - 10 Nick Moody 6'2", 237, r-Sr.

24 Terrance Smith 6'4", 212, r-Fr.

MLB - 11 Vince Williams 6'1", 247, r-Sr.

or 22 Telvin Smith 6'3", 212, Jr.

WLB - 7 Christian Jones 6'4" 232, Jr.

29 Reggie Northrup 6'1", 220, Fr.

CB - 27 Xavier Rhodes 6'2", 217, r-Jr.

37 Keelin Smith 6'3", 185, r-Fr.

1 Tyler Hunter 5'11", 190, So.

SS - 20 Lamarcus Joyner 5'8", 195, Jr.

1 Tyler Hunter 5'11", 190, So.

FS - 31 Terrence Brooks 5'11", 197, Jr.

9 Karlos Williams 6'1", 230, So.

CB - 6 Nick Waisome 5'10", 170, So.

13 Ronald Darby 5'11", 189, Fr.

Special Teams:

PK/KO - 18 Dustin Hopkins 6'2", 190, Sr.

P - Cason Beatty 6'3", 229, Fr.

29 Dillon Kidd 6'1", 222, r-Fr.

DS - 64 Dax Dellenbach 6'1", 235, Sr.

HO - 86 Chris Revell 6'1", 198, Jr.

Cason Beatty 6'3", 229, Fr.

PR - 1 Tyler Hunter 5'11", 190, So.

80 Rashad Greene 6'0", 170, So.

KR - 9 Karlos Williams 6'1", 230, So.

13 Ronald Darby 5'11", 189, Fr.

KR - 20 LaMarcus Joyner 5'8", 195, Jr.

80 Rashad Greene 6'0", 170, So.

Injury Report

Defensive end Cornellius Carradine suffered a knee injury and is out indefinitely.

Defensive tackles Derrick Mitchell(back) and Moses McCray(concussion) suffered injury in the ACC title game, but can be expected back for the Orange Bowl.

Northern Illinois Depth Chart and Injury Report

Offense

WR  1 Martel Moore 6'0", 183, Sr.
82 Juwan Brescacin 6'4", 219, Fr.-R

WR (S) 7 Perez Ashford 5'11", 182, Sr.
4 Da’Ron Brown 6'0", 194, So.-R

WR (H) 10 Tommylee Lewis 5'7", 155, So.
22 Jamison Wells 5'11", 193, Jr.-R
86 Jacob Brinlee 5'9", 185, Fr.

TE (Y) 87 Jason Schepler 6'2", 274, Sr.-R
37 Desroy Maxwell 6'2", 245, Fr.

T 78 Ryan Brown 6'6", 283, So.-R 
67 Tyler Pitt 6'5", 292, So.-R

G 77 Jared Volk 6'3", 315, Jr.-R
67 Tyler Pitt 6'5", 292, So.-R

C 55 Andrew Ness 6'3", 286, Fr.-R
59 Michael Gegner 6'3", 283, So.-R

G 61 Aidan Conlon 6'3", 287, Fr.-R 
73 Matthew Killian 6'5", 303, Fr.-R

T 79 Matt Krempel 6'5", 307, Jr.-R 
65 Wes Ott 6'3", 281, So.-R

TE (U) 83 Luke Eakes 6'3", 250, So.-R
88 Tim Semisch 6'8", 266, So.-R

QB 6 Jordan Lynch 6'0", 216, Jr.-R
9 Matt McIntosh 6'1", 197, Fr.-R

FB 47 Rob Sterling 5'10", 231, So.
48 Ricky Connors 6'1", 246, So.-R

TB 3 Akeem Daniels 5'7", 183, Jr.
25 Giorgio Bowers 5'8", 218, So.-R
34 James Spencer 5'8", 181, So.-R

Defense

DE 90 Alan Baxter 6'0", 240, Sr. 
49 Jason Meehan 6'1", 241, So.
44 Perez Ford 6'0", 218, Fr.

DT 91 Anthony Wells 6'3", 276, Jr.-R
OR 93 Ken Bishop 6'1", 308, Jr.

DT 99 Nabal Jefferson 6'0", 287, Sr.
94 Donovan Gordon 6'0", 275, So.-R

DE 95 Sean Progar 6'2", 254, Sr.-R 
97 Joe Windsor 6'0", 236, Jr. 
46 George Rainey 6'2", 222, Jr.-R

OLB 6 Jamaal Bass 5'10", 225, So.-R 
9 Rasheen Lemon 6'0", 206, Fr.-R

MLB 40 Victor Jacques 5'11", 228, Sr.-R
OR 45 Boomer Mays 6'0", 230, Fr.-R

OLB 36 Tyrone Clark 5'10", 219, Sr.
52 Michael Santacaterina 5'10", 210, So.-R

CB 11 Rashaan Melvin 6'2", 193, Sr.-R
28 Jhony Faustin 5'8", 174, Jr.

S 19 Demetrius Stone (5-10, 203, Sr.)
14 Courtney Stephen (6-0, 194, Sr.-R)

S 15 Jimmie Ward 5'11", 192, Jr.
24 Dominique Ware 5'11", 180, Jr.-R

CB 30 Marlon Moore 5'9", 180, Fr.
OR 2 Sean Evans 5'10", 174, Jr.-R

Special Teams

P 18 Ryan Neir 6'3", 208, Sr.-R
26 Tyler Wedel 5'11", 186, So.

PK 99 Mathew Sims 5'11", 180, Jr.
26 Tyler Wedel 5'11", 186, So.

KO 26 Tyler Wedel 5'11", 186, So.

HO 18 Ryan Neir 6'3", 208, Sr.-R

SN 84 Brian Mayer 6'2", 205, So.-R

PR 85 Angelo Sebastiano 6'0", 205, Fr.-R 
10 Tommylee Lewis 5'7", 155, So.

KOR 10 Tommylee Lewis 5'7", 155, So.
22 Jamison Wells 5'11", 193, Jr.-R

Injury Report

RB Leighton Settle has been out with an undisclosed injury for the past month. It's questionable whether he will return in time for the Orange Bowl.

Florida State Player to Watch

Defensive end Bjoern Werner has been a nightmare for offensive lines all season long, racking up 13 sacks, best in the nation, and 18 tackles for loss.

Werner is a force to be reckoned with, and has been able to get into opponents' backfields, even when double teamed.

He is the best end playing at the collegiate level this season, and if you want to see a great defensive end at work, keep an eye on him.

You better believe the Huskies will be.

Northern Illinois Player to Watch

Let's not kid ourselves.

Jordan Lynch is the butter to NIU's bread, the sugar in NIU's sweet tea and the peanut butter to NIU's jelly.

Without him, the team is not complete.

It's great that he has a chance to showcase his talents on national television against a top-flight defense.

If you enjoy watching Texas A&M wunderkind Johnny Manziel at work, consider this:

"

Jordan Lynch has 8 games with 200+ Pass yds and 100+ Rush yds; Johnny Manziel has 5 such games, the 2nd-most this season. #MACtion

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 1, 2012"

This guy is exciting to watch, and will need to step up in a big, big way for NIU to be competitive in this one.

Key Matchups

Matchup One: Northern Illinois offensive line vs. Florida State defensive line

If Jordan Lynch is going to find any sort of success, the Huskies' offensive line will have to step up and be the difference.

Matchup Two: Jordan Lynch vs. Florida State defense

Not to beat a dead horse here, but Jordan Lynch is phenomenal, and is going to be tough to contain, even for the fierce front seven of Florida State.

Matchup Three: Mascot Battle

Who wins, Victor E. Huskie or Chief Osceola?

Florida State Will Win If...

They protect the ball.

The Seminoles have not exactly been the best in the country at protecting the ball.

The team is minus-6 in turnover margin on the season.

In FSU's two losses, they have turned the ball over six times.

Turnovers are the great equalizer and can help a team, such as Northern Illinois, that is not quite as talented keep up with a superior opponent.

If the Seminoles protect the football, NIU is in for an extremely long game.

Northern Illinois Will Win If...

Jordan Lynch goes off.

It's that simple.

We can talk about the Huskies' running game and how it is needs to be productive to make a win possible. Or we could yammer on endlessly about how NIU must contain the potent Florida State offense. Or we could talk for hours about how NIU must scheme to contain Florida State's aggressive defense.

But when you boil it down, the Huskies are the underdog, and will need Lynch, the program's elite player, to step up and make plays.

If Lynch extends plays with his legs and makes some big plays with his arm, we will see another great BCS game.

If not, we could see a blowout similar to last season's Orange Bowl.

Prediction

Last season's Orange Bowl featured the ACC champ taking a surprising beating at the hands of the Big East champ.

That's not going to happen this season, as we have a party-crasher, Northern Illinois, making quite an entrance.

Jordan Lynch and the Huskies have had an excellent season, and Lynch would be in Heisman conversations if he played in a BCS conference.

"

Jordan Lynch leads FBS in total offense and rushing. He's Heisman worthy! #VoteLynch #NYC youtu.be/5S4nSLuT4D8

— NIU Huskie Athletics (@NIUAthletics) December 2, 2012"

However, Florida State's defense is like nothing this team has faced in 2012.

The Huskies feasted this season on MAC teams, and will quickly find that the second ranked defense in the nation is a horse of a different color.

Florida State has the athletes to smother NIU's offense, and the talent to contain Jordan Lynch, especially with a month to scheme for him.

The level of competition these two teams have faced is vastly different, with Florida State coming into this game much better prepared than the Huskies.

Prediction: Seminoles - 38 Huskies - 21