Florida State Football: 5 Bold Predictions for the Seminoles' Bowl Game

This one is going to be fun. Two high-powered offenses and two defenses susceptible to giving up big yardage could result in a high-scoring affair between Oregon and Florida State in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

The Seminoles face a tall task when they square off against Marcus Mariota and the talented Ducks in Pasadena, California. Let’s take a look at some very bold predictions from the FSU perspective in this ballgame.

FSU Will Intercept Marcus Mariota

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Likely Heisman winner Marcus Mariota doesn’t throw interceptions. Entering the Rose Bowl, the star quarterback hasn't thrown a pick in the last four games and has just two this season—in back-to-back weeks against California and Stanford—compared to 38 touchdowns.

But FSU will intercept Mariota in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

P.J. Williams, Ronald Darby, Nate Andrews and Jalen Ramsey comprise a formidable foursome in the back end of the Seminoles defense. And even though they only have a combined five interceptions this season, the extra preparation time leading into the game against the Ducks will give them ample time to study Mariota’s tendencies and preferences in the passing game.

Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall had just two interceptions in his previous seven games and none in the three contests leading up to last year’s national championship contest against the ‘Noles, but Williams snagged a key interception that helped swing the game—and title—in Florida State’s favor.

Jameis Winston Won't Throw an Interception

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

While Marcus Mariota has done a terrific job of protecting the football all season long, Jameis Winston hasn’t been so lucky.

The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner’s ball-control issues have been his biggest knock all season long, as he finished the regular season with a four-interception game in the win over Florida. Winston was terrific in the ACC Championship Game against Georgia Tech and did not turn the ball over, but he has yet to string together back-to-back games without an interception this season.

That trend changes in the Rose Bowl, where Winston won’t throw an interception against the Ducks.

'Noles Will Hold Ducks to Under 500 Yards of Offense

Mike Groll/Associated Press

In a staggering 10 out of 13 games this season, Oregon has generated more than 500 yards of offense—and in those three contests the Ducks were held to less than 500, they accrued 491, 446 and 468 yards. It’s no secret that slowing the Oregon offense is a nearly impossible task.

But in keeping with these bold predictions, FSU will be the fourth team—joining Michigan State, Arizona and UCLA—to keep the Ducks relatively in check.

How will the team do this? By benefiting from the extra preparation time to study film and see what is effective against Marcus Mariota and Co. as well as getting healthy. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said this week that star defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and standout cornerback Ronald Darby will both be OK after sustaining injuries against Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game.

That is huge for a ‘Noles team that needs as much firepower as possible on the defensive side of the football. 

FSU Will Get at Least Three Sacks

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Florida State ranks 107th nationally with just 17 total sacks in 2014. But against Oregon, the Seminoles will get at least three takedowns of Marcus Mariota.

The Ducks have allowed 29 sacks this season, so they are susceptible to pressure on the quarterback—and this may be the best way for FSU to combat the high-flying Oregon attack. In fact, this game will probably come down to whether Florida State can put enough pressure on Mariota to neutralize his immense ability. If the Seminoles can’t harass the Ducks star, it could be a long day for the ACC champions.

Seminoles Will Throw for at Least 400 Yards

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

It’s only happened once this season, and ironically, it came against the No. 1 defense in the nation at the time in Louisville, but Jameis Winston and the FSU passing attack will throw for at least 400 yards in Pasadena.

The season high for passing yardage in a game by the ‘Noles is the 401 they put on the Cardinals in October, and Oregon could be facing a similar outcome. The Ducks rank No. 103 in the country in pass defense, while FSU ranks No. 14 in passing offense.

Winston is going to have his opportunities to find Rashad Greene, Nick O’Leary and Travis Rudolph, as well as Dalvin Cook out of the backfield, in this ballgame, and a 400-yard performance by the Seminoles could mean a California shootout in early January with a trip to the national championship game on the line.

Brandon Mellor is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy of Seminoles.com. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @BrandonMellor on Twitter.