Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) escapes Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (13) and P.J. Williams (26) and scores a touchdown during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
PASADENA, Calif. – Florida State and Auburn. This one was billed as Domination vs. Destiny.
The two best teams in the country. One team that overpowered weaker opponents by record-setting margins. The other that blitzed stronger opponents in unstoppable fashion.
Domination against Destiny.
When it was over, there was neither. No Domination. No Destiny. Just two equally-matched teams in a monumental, momentum-shifting classic that came down to the final seconds. In what may have been the greatest Bowl Championship Series game ever played – yes, I do remember the Texas win over Southern Cal on the same Rose Bowl field in January, 2006 – the Seminoles squeaked out a 34-31 win over the Tigers in dramatic fashion.
This one had it all.
Houdini-like escapes with highlight reel results from Heisman winner Jameis Winston. The all-time BCS Championship Game rushing record for a running back from Heisman finalist Tre Mason. A 100-yard kickoff return for a lead-changing touchdown (and, not from Chris Davis). Bone-jarring tackles. Agonizing near misses. Poor kicks. A faked kick. Turnovers. Comebacks. And, an immeasurably critical pass interference call on 3rd-and-8 in the end zone with only seconds left to play.
Destiny? That possibility was face-slapped on the game’s fourth play when Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall underthrew wide open Georgia-game hero Ricardo Louis down the middle for what would have been a touchdown. Louis could have run to Santa Monica without ever being touched.
It was kicked in the teeth (pardon the pun) when reliable senior Cody Parkey missed a chip shot field goal attempt with the ball snapped from the 16-yard line. Those points could have sent the game into overtime.
And, it was erased for good when Marshall overthrew Sammie Coates as he ran free across the end zone in front of Seminole defenders late in the fourth quarter.
Auburn had its chances to put the winning points on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t to be.
Domination? That possibility never got off the ground either.
The touchdown-plus favorite Seminoles met their match for the first time this season. The nation’s top-ranked team took a 3-0 lead on its first possession, then played catch-up the rest of the way.
In a game that was close statistically, Florida State trailed the challengers in almost every category, including total offense, rushing yards, first downs, time of possession and third down conversions (the ‘Noles made only two of 12 attempts). They led only in passing yards – and that was just by 20 yards.
Instead of domination, FSU spent most of the time looking for deliverance.
It was also a game of myth-busting.
On the Florida State side, this was a team that hadn’t been punched in the face before. It hadn’t even trailed since the Boston College game back in September. The schedule was soft, so the team might be, too. They weren’t likely to stand the pressure.
You can forget that myth. The Seminoles trailed early and trailed big. They were fortunate that the 21-10 halftime deficit wasn’t larger. But, when it counted most, the ‘Noles held Auburn scoreless in the third quarter, and erased an 18-point deficit to take a late lead. Then, they hurriedly were forced to produce an 80-yard scoring drive, starting with just 79 seconds remaining in the game, to pull out the historic victory. That drive was how legends are made and championships are won.
The Tigers were the best team that Florida State played, and the Seminoles found a way to win.
On the Auburn side, this was a team that was one-dimensional, probably not deserving to be there, and likely to lose since Florida State’s nationally-best scoring defense had a month to prepare. There’s another myth you can forget.
Despite the four-week layoff since the SEC and ACC Championship Games, the Auburn offense had its way with the Seminole defense for much of the game, as it had done in wins over Alabama and Missouri. It was successful on 10 of 18 third down conversion attempts. The 449 yards of total offense were divided between rushing (232 yards) and passing (217 yards). And, even though 94,000 in the stadium knew Mason was going to keep getting the ball, he still ran for 197 yards, caught passes for 42 yards, and scored two touchdowns.
The Seminoles were the best team that Auburn played, but the Tigers more than matched them from the opening kick.
Fittingly, the final chapter in the Bowl Championship Series era provided a game for the ages, and Florida State, the team that played in the first three BCS Championship Game match-ups (January, 1998, 1999 and 2000) is the undefeated, well-deserved champion in the last one, played 16 years after it all started.
A year from now, the first championship game in the new College Football Playoff series will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex. Looking ahead, Florida State and Auburn lose few key players for the 2014 season. Both quarterbacks return, as do most of the skilled position players and most members of the commanding offensive lines. Both recruiting commitment groups are already among the top-ranked classes nationally, and both teams will be led by coaching staffs among the best in the business.
It’s still a long time until January 12, 2015, but don’t be shocked if the first College Football Playoff Championship Game looks a lot like the last title game of the BCS era.
