The final national championship game of the BCS era pits the team that always seemed to figure out a way -- often miraculously -- to win the close games in 2013 with the one that never had to worry about a tight finish.
Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston, No. 1 Florida State (13-0) arrived in Pasadena for the BCS National Game having won 11 of their 13 games by more than 30 points. The margins of victory in their two narrowest wins were 14 and 27 points, respectively. In order to finish off their dominant campaign with a national title, the Seminoles will have to get past No. 2 Auburn (12-1). College football's team of destiny, Auburn needed two of the most amazing finishes you'll ever see just to reach the SEC Championship Game.
No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 2 Auburn
TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Rose Bow, Pasadena, Calif.
TV: ESPN
Having knocked off then-No. 1 Alabama and then-No. 5 Missouri in their previous two outings, Gus Malzahn's Auburn Tigers shouldn't be overwhelmed by their top-ranked opponent or the stage of the Rose Bowl.
"We found ways to win in a lot of different, unique ways," Malzahn told reporters ahead of the BCS title game. "Some people call it destiny, some people call it luck. But bottom line is we play in the SEC and we played some very good opponents, and our offense responded when they've had to, our defense responded when they had to, our special teams. So we've won a lot of different ways. That's hard to do in college football, and I'm real proud of our team getting us here."
Can the team of destiny halt Florida State's dominant run? Will Famous Jameis' prolific offense score at will against this SEC defense? Will Auburn's Tre Mason be able to move the ball against the Noles' stout defense?
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