The 2014 Rose Bowl features two almost opposite teams with one thing in common; a College Football Playoff spot. The second-seeded Oregon Ducks have arguably put together more convincing wins than any other team in college football this season. However, their record features an obvious blemish in the form of an upset loss to unranked Arizona in early October. The third-ranked Florida State Seminoles have put together narrow victories over teams critics believe they should have blown out. Though unconvincingly, the Seminoles put together their second straight undefeated season to earn a Rose Bowl berth. The two will meet for the first time this season on New Year’s Day with a trip to the National Championship game. The opposite natures of the two extend further to their star quarterbacks, both on and off the field. Florida State’s Jameis Winston, the 2013 Heisman trophy winner, has been marred in off-field controversies, including a police investigation and one-game suspension for a vulgar comment on campus. Winston also struggled in many games throughout the season, but made a habit of leading game-winning touchdown drives. His three-touchdown game against Georgia Tech snapped a six-game stretch with at least one interception – including three games with two or more picks. Oregon’s Marcus Mariota has avoided any involvement in off-field distraction for the Ducks and has played mistake-free football throughout the season. As Oregon’s offence consistently put up big offensive numbers, Mariota took centre stage. The 2014 Heisman winner threw just two interceptions on the season – one against UCLA and one against Stanford –but made up for each of those with at least four touchdowns in both games. Mariota’s impressive play allowed the Ducks to bounce back to the second ranking after falling in the AP rankings to 12th after their loss to Arizona. Winston and Florida State opened the season as the top-ranked team in college football, the natural selection coming off their National Championship. However, despite never dropping a game, the Seminoles slid back in the rankings, to the extent their CFP spot was still considered in jeopardy even after their ACC Championship win. Dating back to 2012, Florida State has won 29-straight games. Though they failed to dominate opponents this year in the fashion they did in 2013, no team in two years has been able to solve the Seminoles. Jameis Winston has also never been defeated in his career. Though the Oregon defence was often playing with the lead, their defensive statistics indicate Winston could have success against the Ducks. Florida State’s passing attack ranked 14th in college football with just shy of 300 yards per game, while Oregon’s pass defence allowed 259 yards per game, ranking as the unit 95th in the FBS. However, the Ducks defence allowed just 22.5 points per game to rank 29th in that category, one spot ahead of the Seminoles. With the defensive statistics proving inconclusive of who holds an advantage, the Mariota vs. Winston storyline moves further to the forefront. The two potential first-round NFL draft picks and former Heisman winners have been compared throughout the season. Now, they will meet for the first time in their careers. Oregon will likely prove to be the biggest test for Florida State since their 29-game streak began. The Ducks have won games soundly throughout the season and haven’t needed ‘miracles’ to do so, unlike Florida State’s 2013 bowl competitor in Auburn. Oregon is listed as a nine-point favourite to advance to the National Championship game, but if Florida State can keep the game close, the Seminoles may have one more last-minute victory in them. Logic says to the lean towards a Ducks victory, but there is a reason Florida State has never lost with Winston at the helm. Eye on Sunday QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon Mariota is widely viewed as the favourite to be selected first overall in the 2014 NFL Draft and has a chance to secure his position as the top pick with a strong run to the National Championship. Mariota is expected to emerge as the NFL’s next dual-threat quarterback and could put his legs on display against Florida State’s oversized defensive line. Throughout his three-year Oregon career, Mariota’s Ducks have held a top-two ranking only to fall down the stretch. Now finally given his chance in a playoff atmosphere, Mariota can truly prove his worth. QB Jameis Winston Winston ranks behind Mariota on most draft boards, but he can make his case for the first-overall pick in a head-to-head matchup. Though his scouting report is filled with red flags, the redshirt sophomore arguably has more talent than his cross-country rival and a stronger résumé, which he can strengthen with another national championship berth. . But history aside, theyre still happy to participate in the Par 3 contest, traditionally held on the day prior to the first round of the Masters. . - Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis said Wednesday hes "nodded off" during meetings, but he said its something every player does.
http://www.officialavalanchefanstore.com/. The tournament was set to be held Sept. 15-21 and would have been the first ATP tournament held in Israel since 1996. But amid Israels military campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, ATP President Chris Kermode said "we do not feel we can proceed as planned given the situation in the region. . -- Novak Djokovic benefited from an erroneous call and claimed he didnt realize he had broken the rules. .A. Happ? Happs seven wins are second on the staff to Mark Buehrles 10. Win-loss record is an antiquated stat, sure, but win total is generally an indication of a pitchers ability to work deep into games, enough to be personally affected by the result.Chloe Tutton set a new British record as she swept to the womens 200m breaststroke title at the British Swimming Championships in Glasgow on Wednesday. The City of Cardiff swimmer touched home in 2:22.34mins, taking three seconds off her own personal best, ahead of previous record holder Molly Renshaw.Tutton said: It couldnt have gone any better at all. I didnt expect this. I trained really hard and I knew I had the potential to do it but I guess I lacked the self-confidence. Commonwealth and European medallist Georgia Davies won the first British crown of day two in Glasgow as she led throughout the Womens 100m Backstroke final for victory.Davies said: Im so pleased to be back where I wanted to be but theres still a lot more that I need to work on.There are some girls going really fast all over tthe world right now at their trials or their nationals, so thats where I want to be.ddddddddddddAlthough neither Tutton nor Davies achieved the consideration time for Olympic selection, their performances suggested they may yet have a shot of getting on the plane to Rio.Chris Walker-Hebborn cruised to victory in the mens 100m backstroke final ahead of former world 50m champion Liam Tancock with Tuttons Cardiff team-mate Xavier Mohammed third.Adam Mallett won his first British title in the mens 200m butterfly, producing a storming finish to pip Edinburghs Mark Szaranek and Jay Lelliott of Bath University. Also See: SportsWomen Latest Show News Latest News SportsWomen Video ' ' '
