#1 Florida State vs. #2 Auburn - The Final BCS Championship Game Thread

[Senator Donut]

I have never been more uncertain coming into a championship game than I am tonight. Florida State is undefeated and has dominated nearly every game, but hasn't faced the toughest opposition. Auburn has been tested, but many of its wins have been close. No outcome would surprise me. Fortunately, there is also no outcome that would place me on suicide watch midway through the second quarter, so this year should be more enjoyable than last.

 

[DJnVa]

Very excited for this one. I also wouldn't be surprised by just about any outcome tonight. Could be a very exciting game.

 

[RedOctober3829]

FSU should win by 2 touchdowns.  Auburn can't stop FSU while FSU will be able to contain Auburn's rushing attack.  Auburn might still rush for 250+ yards, but won't be able to put up enough points to keep up with FSU.  Winston is an NFL QB throwing to NFL WRs.

 

[Infield Infidel]

ESPN pulling out all the stops http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/19/5227022/bcs-national-championship-2014-espn-megacast
 

 
 
ESPN2 and ESPNU will air the game featuring live analysis from panels of expert guests.

ESPN Classic has "Sounds of the BCS". Watch the game from normal camera angles, but listen to in-stadium sounds instead of Musburger's and Herbstreit's commentary.

 
 
ESPN3, the network's online service, will have the Florida State and Auburn radio calls.

 

[DukeSox]

FSU has the #1 scoring defense in the nation and puts up tons of offense points (with their offense usually on run-only mode by 3rd quarter and backups playing in 4th quarter).  Auburn could have easily had 3 losses this year.  FSU should win easy.

 

[DJnVa]

FSU should win by 2 touchdowns.  Auburn can't stop FSU while FSU will be able to contain Auburn's rushing attack.  Auburn might still rush for 250+ yards, but won't be able to put up enough points to keep up with FSU. 

 
Why? (and I'm not doubting you as opposed to asking for more detail)
 
If Auburn is rushing for 250-300 yards they are doing 1 of 2 things and probably both--chewing up lots of clock and scoring points. If that happens, Winston is not on the field as much. Are you thinking that Auburn's long drives (which it will need to rush for 250+) wll just not result in points? Auburn has played 4 teams that were ranked in the top 10 when they played. They averaged 40 points in those games--what's the difference tonight?
 

FSU has the #1 scoring defense in the nation and puts up tons of offense points
 

 
But that scoring defense wasn't playing anyone. They have the lowest SOS of any team to play for a BCS title in the last decade.
 
 
I guess we'll see. I'm definitely not an FSU hater, they're a squad I follow and pull for, but Auburn has done it all year against good teams and on the flip side, we haven't really seen FSU get tested all that much.

 

[JMDurron]

I'm sure FSU's defense is excellent, but it's not like Alabama and Missouri didn't come in to the last two games with solid run defenses either.
 
As an Auburn fan, I'm more concerned about sloppy play and turnovers early in the game than anything.  Every single Auburn game so far this season has featured at least a solid quarter of sloppy play, particularly from the offense, but the offense has been unstoppable enough once it gets rolling to compensate.  They got away with it in the Iron Bowl because Alabama was just as sloppy at the start of the game, but I wouldn't count on the same from FSU.  I like Auburn's chances to win if there are no turnovers, partly because I'm not sure how well FSU will handle it if the game is actually tight late.  Auburn has plenty of experience with pulling out tight games, but has to play well enough to keep it that way for 4 quarters.  

 

[Jnai]

This sounds awesome:
 
 

 
“BCS Film Room,” on ESPNEWS, will provide play-by-play breakdowns – who went where, why a play worked or didn’t – from a trio of scheduled guest coaches: Boston College’s Steve Addazio, Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin and Charlie Strong. To replicate the film-room aspect of the broadcast, ESPN will give the coaches use of Pittsburgh-based DV Sport Software’s Quad Replay system, the newest piece in replay hardware.

 

[DJnVa]

A very mediocre BC team played FSU to a draw for a half, primarily by using Andre Williams to keep Jameis off the field. Auburn will have to do something similar because Jameis should have a field day against that secondary. If FSU bottles up the Auburn running game like Auburn bottled up Oregon's a few years ago, then this will be a blowout since Marshall is not much of a passer.

 
Not by volume, but his rating is 34th in the country, and during the winning streak it's 12th. And, against Miss St he was 23-34 for 339 yards. Tonight though I'd assume Auburn wants him to throw no more than 10-12 passes.

 

[Kremlin Watcher]

I think this one depends on FSU's D-line. Auburn runs a very sophisticated running game and they have a very physical and strong O-line to go along with it. If FSU can beat up that line and give their LBs the opportunity to make plays, it will be a long night for Auburn. But we haven't seen the Seminoles play anyone like Auburn yet this year, so in my mind right now it's unclear if the Florida State line will shut down Auburn early.
 
My guess is that Auburn has some good success running early, but that sooner or later the Seminole D figures it out and ends up winning by two scores, but only late. But I don't have enough courage to put any money on that guess.

 

[Royal Reader]

*Grits teeth*
 
SEC! SEC!

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

It's going to be tough for Auburn's 5-10 and 5-11 CB's to match up with 3 legit WR prospects for FSU.
 
I also think LB Telvin Smith is going to wow a lot of people. They also have arguably the best tackling secondary in CFB.
 
Miami, Duke,  and of course Clemson aren't shabby offenses.
 
 
It's puzzling it seems FSU is getting underrated still.
 
 
I see FSU by 3-4 TD's, and then the SEC-haters come out of the woodwork for a few days. 

 

[Senator Donut]

Brent Musberger misidentifies players too frequently and often gets lost during his play-by-play, but I'll be damned if anyone else's voice can give a game this kind of gravitas. Crowd sounds into it already.

 

[Senator Donut]

Also, no one but Musberger is allowed to mention that no BCS NCG favorite has won without covering.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Can someone give a breakdown on the various channels and what ESPN is doing on the channels?  I can't fucking find ESPN Classic anywhere.  Anyone know what channel it is on Comcast in Boston?  What about ESPNU or ESPN3, etc? 

 

[sachmoney]

This sounds awesome:
 
 

Thanks, DVRing this.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

I found it.  ESPN Classic is 258.  It says that's going to be "Sounds of the BCS" which is just game sounds, no commentary.  ESPN2 is going to have "BCS Title Talk," which is supposed to be in game discussion.  I wonder if that's the same thing that's going to be on ESPN News.  This is going to be AWESOME.

 

[Senator Donut]

Can someone give a breakdown on the various channels and what ESPN is doing on the channels?  I can't fucking find ESPN Classic anywhere.  Anyone know what channel it is on Comcast in Boston?  What about ESPNU or ESPN3, etc? 


Here's a rundown about what each channel has
http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/01/multiple-espn-personalities-coaches-players-celebrities-contribute-to-bcs-megacast-of-championship/

Don't have comcast so I can't help you on your second question

 

[Deathofthebambino]

BCS Film Room will be on ESPN News, which is on 248 on Comcast, or 796 in HD.

 

[The Napkin]

Espnu is 900 but they have hoops
Espnews is 796 they have film room
Espn the game
Espn2 is title talk which is a panel I thin
Espn Classic is just stadium noise. I don't know the channel

 

[McBride11]

Commence outrage over Native American with flaming spear on TV.

 

[The Napkin]

And I'm too slow. Stupid ipad typing

 

[DJnVa]

 
It's puzzling it seems FSU is getting underrated still.

 
Aren't they 10 point favorites over a team that has beat two top 5 teams in their last 2 games?

 

[Morning Woodhead]

Espnu is 900 but they have hoops
Espnews is 796 they have film room
Espn the game
Espn2 is title talk which is a panel I thin
Espn Classic is just stadium noise. I don't know the channel

What do they have on the ocho?

 

[Drocca]

I am pretty excited for this game but also a little worried. Since I am not a fan of either team all I want is a good game. Florida State could EASILY have me reading my book by 9:40. But I just can't shake that stupid feeling that Auburn is in the middle of his tremendous run. After the run back, I mean, they just keep going and win it all right?

 

[DJnVa]

I had it muted...was that Bo Jackson?
 
Good Lord, he's still awesome.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

I don't think I've ever been this excited for a telecast.  No idea which channel to watch. I wish I had four televisions right about now.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Brent Musberger misidentifies players too frequently and often gets lost during his play-by-play, but I'll be damned if anyone else's voice can give a game this kind of gravitas. Crowd sounds into it already.

Lundquist is better IMO, and seems to still have it together more than Musberger. I guess Brent is a national treasure by now though. 

 

[sachmoney]

Go Big Ten Referees!

 

[Senator Donut]

What do they have on the ocho?


By my count there are 8 broadcasts:

ESPN: Brent and Herbie
ESPN2: Title Talk
ESPNNEWS: Film Room
ESPN Classic: Sounds of the BCS
ESPN Goal Line: BCS Command Center
ESPN3: FSU Radio
ESPN3: Auburn Radio
ESPN3: BCS Campus Connection

 

[mascho]

God I hate Cam Newton.  

 

[DJnVa]

No Brent, that was 1 run, it doesn't answer the question.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

God I hate Cam Newton.  

 
+1

 

[Al Zarilla]

God I hate Cam Newton.  

Tomahawk Chop. I always forget it's with FSU also. Go Auburn.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

ESPN coverage is awesome. No commentary on Classic. Just the crowd noise.

 

[DJnVa]

Wait, Brent just said this 3rd down will answer the first question. 

 

[The Napkin]

I apparently don't get channel 258? Fuck me, that's the one I really wanted to check out.

 

[Senator Donut]

Lundquist is better IMO, and seems to still have it together more than Musberger. I guess Brent is a national treasure by now though. 


Brent is so smooth we didn't even notice he got his name wrong
http://deadspin.com/brent-musburger-welcome-everybody-im-kirk-herbstrei-1495942057

 

[mascho]

That's gotta hurt.  

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Can't drop those son

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Catch the ball!

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

Wow.

 

[DJnVa]

Dammit.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

258 is ok.  It's literally just the same broadcast without any sort of commentary.  Not sure it adds much.  I'm going back and forth between 840 and the film room on 796, which has been cool so far.
 
Huge miss by Marshall there.  WIDE open receiver.

 

[mascho]

Weinke looks like he's put on a few lbs.  

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Weinke looks like a construction worker with a pension.

 

[fineyoungarm]

Coach T would not be pleased.

 

[Senator Donut]

ESPN coverage is awesome. No commentary on Classic. Just the crowd noise.

I'd love to view that channel, but my eyes require high definition. ESPN should have saved the SD channel for the talking heads.

 

[fineyoungarm]

Although Coach T would work at either school.

 

[The Napkin]

258 is ok.  It's literally just the same broadcast without any sort of commentary.  Not sure it adds much.  I'm going back and forth between 840 and the film room on 796, which has been cool so far.
 
Huge miss by Marshall there.  WIDE open receiver.

I've said for ages I'd pay extra for just the game and the stadium sounds. I'm really hoping it does well and it catches on. Give me Stanley Cup finals on NBC with just arena sounds on MSNBC. World Series game 6 at Fenway with just the crowd and the in park announcer. Drool.