Noles Offense Putting Up Video Game Numbers
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – There was a time when Florida State's defense received the lion-share of attention in college football. While the defense is still great, it's the Noles' explosive offense that is suddenly on a record pace.
FSU's offense is on pace to surpass the output of its 1993 and 1999 national championship teams that featured some very prolific offenses keyed by Chris Weinke and Charlie Ward. All you need to do is look at FSU's dismantling of Maryland to see what the team is capable of doing any given Saturday.
FSU tied a Football Bowl Subdivision record for the largest point differential against a Top 25 team when it crushed Maryland 63-0. It was the largest victory by a Top 25 team over another Top 25 team since UCLA spanked Texas 66-3 in 1997.
"When you keep giving our offense the ball, something's going to happen," redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston humbly said.
Winston is undoubtedly the star of the Seminoles' offense. He's being talked about as a Heisman candidate in just his freshman season. It's easy to see why when you look at his numbers on the young season.
He's completing 73.2 percent of his passes, has thrown for 1,441 yards, has 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions through his first five games as a starter. Projecting his numbers out for a season has him passing for 3,458 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
For a comparison, when Weinke led the Noles offense in 1999, he threw for 3,103 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions; while Ward threw for 3,032 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just four interceptions in the 1993 championship campaign.
With each highlight-reel effort, the ceiling rises for Winston and Florida State — which is off this week and plays No. 3 Clemson Oct. 19. Against Boston College, Winston broke a tackle in the backfield and threw a 55-yard touchdown to Shaw.
"Just because it's Jameis, you know it's going to happen," receiver Kenny Shaw said. "That's nothing new for us. You see it all and it amazes you as the play goes. But, then again, you've got to get open to make a play. You can hear it (from the crowd), particularly the Boston College play. That's how I knew he wasn't tackled."
How good has FSU's offense been thus far?
The Noles are averaging 53.6 points per game this year, good for third overall in the nation behind Baylor and Oregon. FSU is gaining 549 yards per game, good for sixth in the nation. For comparison, the 1993 team averaged 548 yards per game for the season.
And lest you think the Noles' defense has been forgotten, remember this isn't Baylor or Oregon. The Noles defense is giving up an average of 276.8 yards per game and FSU is holding opponents to just 12 points per game overall, third best in the nation.
While the Noles' totals are expected to decline as the competition gets tougher, especially against Clemson and Miami; many expected Maryland to give the Noles a tough fight last week.
"Proud of where we are so far and what we've done," Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said. "We're putting ourselves in position to play some good ball."
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