Rose Bowl 2015: Biggest X-Factors for Each Team in Oregon vs. FSU Showdown
In a game with national championship implications that both teams will have several weeks to prepare for, players and matchups rarely talked about will decide the 2015 Rose Bowl.
Florida State enters as the underdog but boasts a 29-game winning streak the one-loss Oregon Ducks are intent on bringing to an end. They'd better, or it will be curtains on their hopes of winning the program's first-ever national championship.
Heisman Trophy winners Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will dominate talk before the game, but don't be surprised when less talked-about aspects end up deciding which team advances to the national title contest.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Let's take a look at what those X-factors will be in the Rose Bowl.
X-Factors for Oregon
Charles Nelson, WR
All of the buzz for Florida State's defense heading into the Rose Bowl will be about containing Mariota, Royce Freeman, and wideouts Byron Marshall and Devon Allen. But if the Seminoles aren't careful, Charles Nelson will run right past them.
The speedy freshman hasn't been a big part of the Oregon offense throughout 2014, but that changed with a big performance in the Pac-12 Championship Game. He went for over 100 yards, nearly doubling his total for the season, as Oregon's Andy McNamara noted:
Don't be surprised if Nelson stays under the radar until he makes an impact in special teams. He hasn't carved out a permanent role in the offense but has home run ability as a kick returner and a punt returner.
With that said, Nelson can make the Seminoles pay with the deep ball. Although he has 17 catches on the season, five of them have gone for scores.
If No. 6 is out there for the Oregon offense, Florida State will want to make sure it stays in front of him.
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB
Oregon's defensive backs are no strangers to going up against formidable offensive attacks, but a battle against Jameis Winston and Florida State presents a unique matchup for the Ducks secondary.
In such a situation, Oregon could use a huge performance from its best secondary player—cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.
Ekpre-Olomu's stats don't resemble the stats of a shutdown corner, but that's largely due to teams shying away from attacking him. With Ekpre-Olomu likely lined up against Seminoles wideout Rashad Greene, who happens to be Winston's favorite receiver, that won't be the case.
But the senior's impact will go far beyond his individual play. Ekpre-Olomu sets the tone for the Oregon defense, which has been dominant late in the year but showcased plenty of issues early on. If he leads by example and notches a few big pass breakups early on, his teammates will follow suit.
X-Factors for Florida State
Eddie Goldman, DT
If Florida State is looking for a scapegoat for its late-season troubles, it should look no further than the run defense. The Seminoles allowed a combined 600-plus rushing yards in their last three games, all wins by five points or fewer.
You wouldn't expect that from a defensive line featuring a first-round talent of Eddie Goldman's ability.
Goldman is a wrecking ball up front for Florida State, plugging running lanes and tracking down the passer furiously—when he's healthy. That last part, however, has been an issue as of late.
But head coach Jimbo Fisher remains confident of Goldman's ability to play in the Rose Bowl, per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel:
Oregon doesn't present the traditional running threat with speedy weapons attacking the perimeter combating a bowling-ball back such as Freeman. But a tone-setting will be crucial for Florida State up front in order to keep Oregon's run-blockers on their heels.
Goldman figures to be ready for the game considering the long layoff and the implications, but he'll be of no use to Florida State without his usual impact. If he's unable to blow up the line like he typically does, pass rushers Mario Edwards Jr. and Lorenzo Featherston will be ineffective against Mariota.
Nick O'Leary, TE
Winston has a wealth of weapons to throw to throughout the game, but he goes to Nick O'Leary in the clutch moments.
Despite weapons all around the outside, the tight end has emerged as a favorite for Winston. He ranks second behind Greene with 614 yards, and his six receiving touchdowns are one shy of the team lead.
During Florida State's win over Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, O'Leary's value was on display once again, as Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski noted:
Oregon's defense boasts speed on the outside and physical, quick-footed defenders up front, but the Ducks' best linebackers primarily excel in rushing the passer. They haven't seen a tight end of O'Leary's skill set and overall ability, and the Ducks will need some unique packages to help negate his impact.
However, Mark Helfrich's defense has plenty on its plate keeping weapons such as Greene, Dalvin Cook and Travis Rudolph under wraps. Like he's done so much in the past, O'Leary will get open, and it will be up to Winston to find him.
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