Rose Bowl 2015: TV Schedule, Live Stream Info and Predictions for Oregon vs. FSU

The best quarterback duel of the season is set. 

Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks against Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles at the Rose Bowl is just one dream scenario the inaugural College Football Playoff has at its fingertips.

Winston is the face of adversity at this point, no thanks to his up-and-down play this season. The Seminoles love to live on the edge, something Mariota knows little about on his way to what has to be the Heisman Trophy.

There is a spot in the title game on the line this January, although it sure feels like the final game of the postseason already.

When: Thursday, January 1, 5 p.m. ET

Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Television: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 71

• Spread: Oregon (-9)

Preview and Prediction

It sure feels like a season of destiny for Oregon. 

The early-season hiccup by the Ducks did not come in a major showdown against Michigan State. Instead, the Ducks cruised past an elite defense by a final score of 46-27, only to get upended by Arizona about a month later.

Still, Oregon is now free of the Stanford curse thanks to a 45-16 win over the Cardinal. Utah is an afterthought at this point, and the Civil War seems to be on permanent hiatus after a 47-19 decision. Most impressive of all, Mariota and the Ducks are content in the revenge department after a 51-13 thrashing of Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

The comeback tour for Mariota is just about complete. His 3,783 yards and 38 touchdowns to two interceptions are sure to get him plenty of individual accolades. Do not forget the 14 rushing touchdowns, either.

However, the campaign is all about a title, so what better way to start on that postseason path than to take down the defending champs?

It sure feels like a season of trials and tribulations for those defending champions.

The Seminoles are owners of close calls against Oklahoma State, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Miami (Fla.), Boston College, Florida and Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game. 

Most of the problems fall on the shoulders of Winston. He seems to bumble about in the first half of contests, only to pick things up when it matters. Just 3,559 yards and 24 touchdowns to 17 interceptions can attest to that.

Then again, the same is true for head coach Jimbo Fisher's defense. The Seminoles allow an average of 23.0 points per game, good for 30th in the nation. The two-point victory over Georgia Tech this past weekend speaks well enough to the issue—the Yellow Jackets ran for 331 yards and four scores on a 5.6 yards-per-carry average while holding the ball for more than 34 minutes.

Fisher is well aware of how Oregon's quick-twitch attack will only amplify these problems, as captured by Andrew Bantly of DailyEmerald.com:

"

I don’t know if you can ever practice for the speed. We’re a fast team ourselves but they do it at such a high level and the efficiency is off the charts. They’re unbelievably explosive. Having time, we’ll have time to evaluate a lot of film and go through the process, just like they’ll have on us.

"

Mariota is at his best when on the move. Some of it is necessity, as a few of his top linemen are on the shelf with season-ending injuries. Part of it is just his supreme athleticism and judgment while in motion.

This is of particular importance in the semifinal. If Georgia Tech's Justin Thomas got loose from under center for 104 yards on just 11 carries, Mariota is in for a big day. Ditto for Tyler Murphy of Boston College, who found 48 yards and a score.

The Oregon offense enjoys controlling the pace of games after an early lead is established. This will especially be the case as Winston on the sideline means the Seminoles offense cannot do serious damage.

With this approach in mind, it is hard to see how the Seminoles can keep pace to the point where the usual late-game surge makes a difference. Almost a month to prepare for the contest may flip the script on its head. However, based on what these programs have shown as of late, Mariota and Co. will have no issue moving the ball at will and keeping the Seminoles at a distance.

Prediction: Oregon 36, Florida State 28

Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.