Rose Bowl 2015: Updated Odds and Preview for Oregon vs. Florida State

It's hard to imagine the first-ever national semifinal in college football having a more exciting matchup than this one.

The Rose Bowl is one of two games in the College Football Playoff, along with the Sugar Bowl, and it will feature Oregon trying to knock off defending national champion Florida State.

Not only does this game pit together two of the most dominant programs in the sport over the past few seasons, but it also includes two household names at quarterback between Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston.

This would be an exciting battle to watch even without title implications, but throw in the fact that the winner will be one step away from a national championship, and this game becomes a must-watch.

Here is everything you need to know about the January bowl game.

What: Rose Bowl Presented by Northwestern Mutual

When: Thursday, Jan. 1

Time: 5 p.m. ET

Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

Spread (via Odds Shark): Oregon -8

Over/Under: 70.5

Preview

It's amazing the lack of respect Florida State has gotten throughout the season despite having an undefeated record. Besides winning every game this season, the Seminoles haven't lost in 29 games, dating back to 2012.

Oregon coach Mark Helfrich knows that this isn't easy, regardless of matchups.

"It's so difficult to have everybody focused for seven days in a row or 29 days in a row but when you get to 29 weeks, 29 games, that's extremely, extremely impressive," Helfrich recently explained. "That will certainly get our guys to sit up straight in their seats in the meetings."

Then again, the squad has been expected to win each of these games. According to Evan Abrams of ESPN, the Rose Bowl will be the first time Florida State is an underdog in a long time:

While different sites will have different lines, the general consensus is that Oregon should have no problem winning in this game.

On paper, this seems like it could be an easy victory for the Ducks. The Pac-12 champions have seemed unstoppable lately, with eight wins in a row, scoring at least 40 in every game. As Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated noted, the team was especially impressive against top competition:

Meanwhile, Florida State has struggled seemingly every week this season, only winning by less than a score in each of the last four weeks. It would be understandable to think that an upgrade in competition would lead to a blowout.

However, the Seminoles simply know how to win while being led by a quarterback who has never lost in his career. After posting a 94.1 Total QBR in the ACC Championship Game win over Georgia Tech, Winston might finally be ready to live up to his potential.

There is also a whole lot of talent on the roster from top to bottom, as noted by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller:

This is certain to create a true battle that will be much closer than many anticipate.

Early Prediction

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Winston won last year's Heisman Trophy for a reason. He was the best player in college football last season and has the ability to reach that level again.

On the other hand, Mariota is the favorite to win the prestigious award this year thanks to his unstoppable combination of passing and rushing ability. After he torched Arizona, it is hard to imagine too many other teams in the nation having much more success.

Considering Florida State just allowed 465 total yards and 35 points to Georgia Tech—a team that doesn't know how to throw the ball—the Ducks should be just fine offensively in this one.

The Seminoles will be able to keep up on the scoreboard for the most part thanks to Winston, a powerful rushing attack and Rashad Greene at receiver. However, it still will not be enough to come through with a win in a high-scoring matchup.

Prediction: Oregon 45, Florida State 38

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