Rose Bowl 2015: Key Storylines for Oregon vs. FSU Showdown

While there's no denying the all-around appeal of the College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl battle between Oregon and Florida State is the more intriguing game of the two. 

Just a few of the minor storylines to discuss include the battle of the Heisman-winning quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (2014) and Jameis Winston (2013), and the undefeated defending national champions being ranked behind a one-loss Oregon team and having to travel across the country. 

The Alabama-Ohio State game certainly has storylines, but it's not as appealing because Cardale Jones is an unproven quarterback going against a Nick Saban defense when he has three weeks to prepare.

The 2015 Rose Bowl has all the makings of a classic showdown between two premier football programs, so here are the top storylines to follow when the game kicks off on New Year's Day. 

Which Florida State Team Will Show Up?

Much like Winston, the Seminoles seem to be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Never was that illustrated better than in the regular-season finale against Florida. Winston threw three interceptions in the first quarter before throwing two touchdowns in the second quarter. 

Florida State's best performance of the season, at least offensively, came in the ACC Championship Game against Georgia Tech. The Seminoles scored 37 points, Winston was flawless with 309 yards and three touchdowns and the team racked up 488 yards. 

It wasn't a perfect team game, as the defense continued to struggle by allowing 35 points and 331 rushing yards to the Yellow Jackets. It was the third time in four games the Seminoles gave up at least 175 rushing yards, yet they haven't found the banana peel. 

However, Florida State is going up against an animal the likes of which it hasn't seen this season. Oregon is the most complete team the Seminoles will face this season. Here's how the Ducks' offense stacks up against Jimbo Fisher's defense, via StatMilk:

The highest-scoring offense Florida State has faced this season was Georgia Tech (19th in points per game). No other team on the schedule ranked in the top 40 in scoring offense, so Oregon will be a dramatic change of pace. 

That means Florida State has to build off the momentum it built in the ACC Championship Game. There won't be any margin for error against Mariota, who accounted for 52 touchdowns on his own this season. That doesn't include the 23 rushing touchdowns from other Oregon players. 

If Florida State and its fans feel disrespected after being ranked third despite a 13-0 record and 29 straight wins, this is its best chance to prove the doubters wrong. 

Has Oregon Really Turned A Corner?

For the last three years, Oregon has felt like a college version of Peyton Manning. It puts up great records and incredible offensive numbers, but getting over that final hump has been a problem. 

In 2012, Stanford ruined the Ducks' undefeated season and cost them a shot at the BCS Championship Game. In 2013, Stanford and Arizona defeated Oregon in a three-week span to leave the Ducks in the Alamo Bowl against Texas. 

This year, it seemed like Oregon was destined to fall short again after losing to Arizona in October. There's no denying the Ducks have been one of the best football programs in the country since Chip Kelly's first year as head coach in 2009, but they've had problems against certain Pac-12 teams along the way. 

Fortunately, things worked out perfectly for Oregon in 2014. After the Arizona loss, the Ducks were able to right the ship. They finally conquered Stanford in a 45-16 blowout and avenged their loss against Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship Game with 51-13 drubbing of the Wildcats. 

Mark Helfrich doesn't get the national credit he deserves because of the perception that he inherited all of Kelly's players. While that may be true, he's run with that talent and brought in his own to keep Oregon among the national elite. 

Per Jason Quick of The Oregonian, it was Helfrich who took ownership of Oregon's loss to Arizona in October and helped repair a struggling team:

"

(Oregon) had just played a decidedly sloppy game that elicited several boos from the normally supportive Autzen Stadium crowd. There were 10 penalties. Countless missed tackles. Five sacks allowed. Two fumbles lost. And several blown coverages.

But when the then 40-year-old coach stood before the team, he didn't deride his players.

Helfrich took the blame.

"

Quick then notes that Helfrich was "more intense and a more detail-oriented head coach" after the loss. That's what Oregon has been lacking in the previous two years. The Ducks have been content to run on the field, but figuring out what a roster needs to get over the top is why they have a chance to win a championship. 

Now, the Ducks have to prove those changes can stick against a team they appear to be superior to in Florida State. 

Mariota has been what Winston was last year, a dazzling playmaker who constantly finds ways to create big plays and doesn't turn the ball over. The first game against Arizona was his worst of the year, yet he still finished with 276 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Oregon has been building itself back into a national-title contender since losing the BCS Championship Game to Auburn in 2010. This is the final stage of that process, though it will all be undone with one disappointing performance against Florida State. 

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