Mariota vs. Winston Is Best College QB Matchup In Recent Memory

A near-perfect battle will be taking place in the picture-perfect setting of Pasadena, California on January 1. By the time the Rose Bowl rolls around, fans will have been through numerous projections, predictions and bold guarantees concerning this upcoming Florida State Seminoles vs. Oregon Ducks Playoff game.

But here’s one more opinion: Fans are lucky to see 2013’s Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston go up against 2014’s recipient Marcus Mariota during college football’s first ever playoff game, and it will arguably be the best college quarterback matchup any of us has ever seen.

Now just imagine if we could have the 2013 National Champion Seminoles going up against this year’s Ducks. The best college quarterback matchup in recent memory would become the best college quarterback matchup ever. Period.

Unfortunately beggars cannot be choosers, but perhaps fortunately, we might not know what is coming. Everyone favors Oregon. Vegas has the Ducks by nine and a half. This “battle” won’t be a battle at all. Yet, Florida State still hasn’t lost in two years. 12 teams took to the bullseye on their back and came away off the mark.

Even though the Seminoles’ schedule was perceived as weak, you could argue that it was back-loaded with difficulty. Consider that, you could assert that Florida State is improving as a team and growing through their deficiencies. Add another month of rest, practice and film on Oregon, and maybe we’ll have ourselves a ballgame.

Maybe the ideal Winston/Mariota showdown that we’re all hoping for will show up New Year’s Day.

Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Jerry on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.