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FSU aims to leave no doubt in ACC title game

 
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, center, scrambles past Boston College. Winston and the Seminoles will aim for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.  (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser) FLMW115
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, center, scrambles past Boston College. Winston and the Seminoles will aim for a spot in the College Football Playoffs. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser) FLMW115
Published Dec. 6, 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For a man who said five times Friday that he doesn't care about outside opinions, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher didn't mind turning his ACC championship game news conference into a preemptive sales pitch to the opinions that matter.

He detailed FSU's 28-game winning streak, reminding the playoff committee of his wins over SEC and Big 12 teams. He pointed out the ACC's historical success competing for titles and churning out NFL players.

Regardless of how Fisher truly feels about his Seminoles (12-0) falling to fourth in the college football playoff rankings, it probably won't matter as long as the defending national champions stay perfect by winning tonight's conference title game at Bank of America Stadium.

"If we keep putting W's on the board and keep handling our business," Fisher said, "everything will work itself out."

A win over No. 12 Georgia Tech (10-2) would almost certainly cement FSU's spot in football's final four. The playoff committee ranks the Yellow Jackets at No. 11 — the highest current ranking of any FSU opponent this season.

And if it helps Fisher's politicking, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said he can't understand how any team deserves to leapfrog FSU, in any ranking.

"In our mind, Florida State's the No. 1 team," Johnson said. "They're undefeated. They're reigning national champs, and until somebody beats them, they're No. 1 to me."

FSU, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, began the nation's longest active winning streak here two years ago by jumping to an early lead and holding on for a 21-15 win over Georgia Tech. This year's team has followed a different script, rallying from second-half deficits in five of their past 10 games.

Some credit goes to the defense. Opponents are averaging 43 fewer yards in the second half against FSU than in the first half.

But Johnson gave plenty to quarterback Jameis Winston. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has passed for 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in the first half of games this season. In the final two quarters, his numbers jump to 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.

"He knows how to win," Johnson said. "I think if you can pick one trait for your quarterback to have, certainly that would be it."

Johnson's team is equally impressive late. Only Nevada and East Carolina have outscored their opponents more in the fourth quarter than Tech (132-67, a margin of 65 points).

The Yellow Jackets' triple option limits opponents' opportunities, too. Tech keeps drives alive with the nation's top third-down offense (57.4 percent), and the run-heavy offense has had the ball for at least 35 minutes in wins over ranked Clemson and Georgia teams.

"You have to maximize your possessions," Fisher said.

Just as Fisher isn't concerned with his team's rankings, he doesn't seem fazed by this week's other major story in Tallahassee: the ongoing fallout of sexual assault allegations against his starting quarterback.

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Winston spent more than 12 hours this week at a university hearing. A decision looms two or three weeks away, though Fisher expects Winston to be eligible and enrolled in school through the end of the season.

On Friday, Winston's adviser, David Cornwell, continued the story by announcing on Twitter that any civil lawsuit against Winston would be met with a defamation and civil extortion countersuit against his accuser's attorneys.

The only notable difference for FSU this week was that it moved its practices to the evening to accommodate Winston's schedule. Fisher said his team responded with perhaps its best week of practice all season.

"Our team has handled (distractions) very well," Fisher said, "and everything in time will work itself out."

WILLIAMS OUT: Running back Karlos Williams will miss tonight's game because of a concussion sustained Saturday against Florida. The FSU senior has rushed for 609 yards and a team-leading 10 TDs this season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com.