FSU 59, Wake Forest 3: Takeaways & observations

By foxsports
Published

There was no need to be concerned about a letdown. Mostly because Florida State's defense wouldn't let up.

The Seminoles forced seven turnovers -- including four interceptions -- in the first half en route to a 59-3 win over Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon. Nate Andrews returned an interception for a touchdown and Jalen Ramsey took a fumble back for a touchdown as the defense outscored the Demon Deacons by themselves.

"I thought the defense was absolutely amazing," Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said. "Seven turnovers, six interceptions. They were outstanding, playing the run, playing the pass."

BCS No. 2 Florida State (9-0, 7-0 ACC) clinched the Atlantic Division with the win.

Florida State didn't get -- and didn't need -- an impressive passing game from Jameis Winston (159 yards and twotouchdowns). But running backs Devonta Freeman, James Wilder and Karlos Williams each had touchdown runs.

Here are five observations from Florida States rout of Wake Forest:

1. Florida State is back in the ACC title game after dominating the Atlantic

The Seminoles have won 13 straight ACC games. But Florida State has put away Clemson, Maryland, North Carolina State, Boston College and Wake Forest by a combined 270-68.

Florida State has now won its division three times in four seasons. The Seminoles are looking to repeat as ACC champions, something nobody in the conference has done since Virginia Tech in 2006-07.

"It gets us a trip to Charlotte," Fisher said. "That's one of our goals. Now we have to keep climbing. ... You have to be in those championship games to get to the BCS."

2. The Florida State defense had one of its best days in school history

Wake had seven completions on Saturday. Florida State had six interceptions, with Nate Andrews grabbing two and Terrance Smith, Mario Edwards Jr., Christian Jones and Marquez White picking off one apiece.

For perspective, Florida State had just 11 interceptions last season. The Seminoles now have 18 in 2013.

The six interceptions tied a school record set in 1991 by Florida State against Louisville.

3. Florida State's offense didn't have a stellar day but did enough

The Seminoles scored on five of their first seven offensive drives. While a few of those were just two plays because of Florida State interceptions, Winston did lead the team on an 80-yard drive to open the game and a 57-yard drive to close the first half.

Florida State also surpassed the 40-point mark for the ninth straight game, extending its school record. The Seminoles have hit 50 or more points in five of nine games.

4. Winston didn't win -- or lose -- the Heisman on Saturday

As long as Florida State wins, Winston will be a Heisman favorite. And perhaps the front-runner now that Oregon has lost and Marcus Mariota was held without a point in the first three quarters of the loss to Stanford on Thursday (Mariota reportedly has a knee injury).

Winston threw for just 159 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 17 of 28 passing. Not great, but not bad either. His 26 passing TDs is the fourth-best all-time in school history, just behind Chris Weinke (33 in 2000), Danny Kanell (32 in 1995) and Charlie Ward (27 in 1993).

5. Florida State has never beaten Wake Forest this badly on the road

The most points that Florida State scored at Winston-Salem, N.C., came in a 56-14 win in 1994. And the following year, the Seminoles hung 72 on the Demon Deacons in Tallahassee.

Wake has beaten Florida State four times since 2006. But the last two years, Florida State has won 52-0 and 59-3.