Pasadena, Calif – The Granddaddy of them all is nearly upon us. After weeks of restless anticipation, Oregon and Florida State are only a couple hours away from kicking off at the Rose Bowl. The game will also act as the inaugural unveiling of the College Football Playoff.
Here are some pregame notes for today’s game.
Update
Bralon Addison is suited up and going through warmups with the team. Has yet to play this season. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/3Xo6MbhT4w
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) January 1, 2015
Oregon wide receiver Bralon Addison was suited up in full pads and warming up at full speed during pregame. Addison, a junior out of Missouri City, Texas, tore his ACL in the spring. He hasn’t played a game this season for Oregon. He caught 61 passes for 890 yards and seven touchdowns last season for the Ducks.
The matchup
Oregon (12-1) is coming off an impressive 51-13 victory over Arizona in the Pac-12 championship game. The Ducks are third in the country in scoring averaging 46.3 per game. Freshman running back Royce Freeman leads the nation’s 21st rushing attack with 1299 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Oregon’s defense is allowing 22.5 points per game.
Florida State (13-0) narrowly remained undefeated with a 37-35 win over Georgia Tech in the ACC championship game. The Seminoles are making their second trip to the Rose Bowl in as many years: They defeated Auburn 34-31 in the BCS National Championship game last year. Florida State is averaging 34.8 points per game this year.
Heisman vs. Heisman
A quarterback duel of Heisman trophy winners is set to take place at the Rose Bowl. Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston won the trophy in 2013 and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota won the award less than a month ago. This will be the third time two Heisman trophy winners play against each other.
Injury watch
Oregon is set to have two key players return form injury. All-American center Hroniss Grasu and Thomas Tyner will play against Florida State, according to Oregon Football’s Facebook page. Grasu has missed the last three games for Oregon. Tyner has missed four games in total this year.
Florida State defensive tackle Nile Lawerence-Stample also looks set to return. Lawerence-Stample tore his pectoral muscle against Clemson earlier this year.
Referee watch
For today’s game, the officiating crew will be an eight-men team from the SEC.
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt
