The 5 Most Telling Stats for the Florida State Seminoles This Season

No. 2 Florida State University is 8-0 and likely in control of its own destiny when it comes to a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff—just like many predicted the Seminoles would be before the season started.

But how FSU has gotten to this point at the start of the final month of the regular season has been anything but expected.

How did the ‘Noles get here? Let’s take a look at their five most telling statistics of the 2014 season.

9 Combined Touchdowns by Freshmen

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It took some time, but Florida State has found its replacements for Devonta Freeman, James Wilder Jr., Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin at the running back and wide receiver positions.

Freeman, Wilder, Shaw and Benjamin were integral pieces to the Seminoles’ championship puzzle in 2013. Where their lost production would come from this season was a hot topic during fall camp, and FSU’s early season struggles magnified the gaping holes left by several talented players.

Enter a trio of elite freshmen.

Dalvin Cook, Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph have emerged as go-to players over the last several weeks, and the FSU offense is playing its best football of the season. Together, the trio of rookies has nine combined touchdowns and will be in position for even more as the regular season hits its final month.

FSU needed players to step up, and three first-year players have been impressive—which bodes well for the ‘Noles now and in the future.

388.6 Yards Allowed Per Game

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Statistically, FSU had one of the best defenses in the country in 2013. The Seminoles allowed just 281.4 yards per game en route to the program’s third national championship.

But this year, the Seminoles haven’t been nearly as dominant on that side of the football. FSU enters Saturday’s game against the University of Virginia giving up an average of 388.6 yards per game.

The defensive struggles have been compounded by a slow-starting offense in many of Florida State’s victories this year. Combine the two issues and it’s no surprise FSU has had to rally to win games against North Carolina State University, Clemson University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Louisville.

9 Interceptions Thrown by Jameis Winston

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Jameis Winston threw 10 interceptions in 14 games last season, but he has already thrown nine in seven games as a redshirt sophomore this year.

Winston is coming off a three-interception game against Louisville in which he had a few throws that he simply wouldn’t have made during his Heisman Trophy campaign. Call it trying to do too much or a dip in talent and experience level from a season ago, but there’s no denying that Winston hasn’t been as mistake free as he was in his dazzling debut season.

Luckily for FSU, the increased turnovers haven’t changed the outcome of a Winston-led team. He may have more turnovers, but Winston still doesn’t have any losses. In the end, that’s all that matters.

96 Combined 3rd-Quarter Points

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Call them the comeback kids. FSU has made a habit of using halftime adjustments to erase first-half deficits and earn gut-check victories, with last week’s win over Louisville, when the ‘Noles rallied from a 21-0 hole, as an example.

Florida State has come out strong following intermission, scoring a combined 96 points in the third quarter this season. To put that number into perspective, consider this: FSU has scored a combined 123 points in the first and second quarters of its eight games.

Gone are the days when Florida State blew away each and every opponent it faced, playing better and better as the game became more lopsided in its favor. Instead, this Seminoles team seems to be at its best when down multiple scores.

94.4% Red-Zone Scoring Rate

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This 2014 FSU team has its fair share of issues, but making the most of its opportunities in the red zone certainly isn’t one of them.

If Winston and the Seminoles offense get into position, there is a very good chance they are going to put points on the board. After eight games, the ‘Noles boast a 94.4 percent red-zone scoring rate. FSU has scored 34 times in its 36 trips to the red zone, with 24 of those successful efforts ending in touchdowns and the other 10 on field goals.

With Winston, his weapons and the best kicker in college football, Roberto Aguayo, on the roster, teams don’t stand much of a chance against Florida State on a short field.