On Thursday, the No.13 Florida State Seminoles will take on the Oklahoma Sooners at 5:30 PM EST in the Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. A series typically dominated by Oklahoma, this will be the first matchup between the Seminoles and the Sooners since 2011. Can Norvell’s Noles notch one more win for 2022? Let’s get into it.
Seminoles vs. Sooners: 1965-Present
The Noles and the Sooners have a history. That history greatly favors the Sooners. The two teams have played against each other in three regular season games and four bowl games dating back to 1965.
In the 1965 Gator Bowl, Florida State defeated Oklahoma in a 36-19 victory. Sadly, the Seminoles have never recreated that moment, losing to the Sooners in three Orange Bowl appearances (1980, 1981, 2001) and three regular season games (1976, 2010, 2011).
More recently, the Sooners have finished seven consecutive seasons in the top ten–until this year’s 6-6 end. By contrast, Florida State has endured four long years and some dramatic coaching shakeups but turned the season around to finish 9-3 with a No.13 ranking.
This week’s matchup is a big deal for both teams. For the Sooners, a loss would mean Oklahoma’s first losing season since 1998. For the Seminoles, a win would mean Florida State’s first 10-win season since 2016, and a potential spot in the top ten.
Sizing Up the Sooners
Despite their mediocre finish, Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel put up big numbers in his first season as a Sooner. A UCF transfer, Gabriel has 29 total touchdowns and is likely to surpass 3,000 passing yards for the season. He has just six interceptions and, despite the Sooners being closer to the bottom of the Big-12 regarding points per game, Oklahoma averaged the second-most yards per game in the conference.
Unfortunately, 1,000 yard rusher Eric Gray has opted out of the Cheez-It Bowl and is declaring for the NFL draft. The next leading rusher for the Sooners, Javonte Barnes, had 411 yards on the ground and four touchdowns this season. While this could be problematic for the Sooners, all hope is not yet lost; lead receiver Marvin Mims is expected to play in the Cheez-It Bowl. Mims finished the regular season with 1,006 receiving yards and six touchdown grabs. Also suiting up in Orlando is tight end Brayden Willis, who led the Sooners with seven touchdown catches for the season.
Oklahoma’s pass protection will be called into question, though, as tackles Wanya Morris and Anton Harrison have both opted out of the game.
And, unlike the Seminoles, the Sooners have not fared well defensively in the regular season all things considered; they were ranked ninth in total defense and eighth in scoring defense, out of ten teams in the Big 12.
Sizing Up the Seminoles
It doesn’t appear that opt-outs are going to be much of an issue for the Seminoles in the Cheez-It Bowl.
In addition to being ranked in the top 25 in the nation with 34 regular season sacks, the Seminoles boast a top-20 total and scoring defense, and yielded the ACC’s fewest yards per game. Defensively, the Noles are set to remain stacked for the Cheez-It Bowl. Defensive end Jared Verse and defensive tackles Fabien Lovett and Robert Cooper are, “likely to go for a stout but thin defensive front,” with Tatum Bethune and Kalen DeLoach at linebacker and first-team All-ACC player Jimmie Robinson at safety.
At QB, Jordan Travis will continue working to dominate the game aided in the backfield by FSU’s “three-headed monster” comprised of running backs Trey Benson, Treshaun Ward, and Lawrance Toafili. Travis is the fourth player in program history to throw for 3,000 total yards and at least 30 touchdowns while Benson is a mere 35 yards shy of being FSU’s first player to run for 1,000 yards since Cam Akers in 2019.
Wideout Johnny Wilson leads the Seminoles with 695 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Receivers Ontaria Wilson and Mycah Pittman, and tight end Camren McDonald are capable pass catchers and all are set to take the field in the Cheez-It Bowl. Florida State is also ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring and total offense.
Cheez-It Bowl 2022: My Prediction
Florida State and Oklahoma are good at different things.
The Sooners are good at facilitating turnovers; the Seminoles, at getting stops.
In all three of Florida State’s losses this season, they had a turnover margin of minus-three. If Oklahoma can take the ball away that will strengthen their chances to pull off a winning season this year.
But, Florida State has made a tremendous comeback under third year head coach Mike Norvell. They’ve utilized their resources and talent more efficiently this season, whereas Brent Venables has completed a rougher-than-expected first year as the Sooners head coach. Getting the stops they need is not likely to be easy, but it is likely to be doable.
Expect Florida State to leave Orlando with their tenth win this season, and second win ever against Oklahoma.
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