Stats and History Compared: Auburn & Florida State

With less than three weeks separating us from the much anticipated BCS National Championship game, and the much feared finale of the college football season, it’s time to begin an all-too-in-depth analysis of the programs, teams and matchups that will meet on January 6^th in Pasadena. This, the first of three installments, is a quick comparison of the general stats and histories of the Seminoles and Tigers.

Florida State

Florida State football as we know it began in 1947, but decades earlier and prior to becoming an all-women’s school (Auburn fan makes joke about FSU still being an all-women’s school), there was a football club known as the Florida State College Eleven. This group competed between 1901 and 1905 and Florida State fans would have you know that in the first contest between The Eleven and what was to become the University of Florida, The Eleven were victorious.

Officially, however, Florida State is in its 67^th season of competitive football. The ‘Noles have produced three Heisman winners in Charlie Ward (1993), Chris Weinke (2000), and Jameis Winston (2013). Coach Bobby Bowden is generally credited with FSU’s emergence from football mediocrity. Bowden, who through a myriad of twists and turns is the owner of the most wins as a college football coach, is arguably the greatest coach of all time. During his 33 year tenure, from 1976 to 2009, Bowden directed the Seminoles to an AP National Championship, a BCS National Championship, and 12 ACC titles. Every year from 1987 to 2000 the Seminoles finished the season in the AP top 5. No other college football programs can say the same.

In 2009 Bowden retired---sort of the same way that Mack Brown retired---which is sort of the same way that aging parents consent to moving into “the home.” On January 5^th, 2010 Jimbo Fisher redeemed his coach-in-waiting title for the preferred Head Coach title—and salary. Fisher has gone 44-10 since inheriting the program and consistent top-5 recruiting classes indicate an encouraging trajectory for FSU fans.

Auburn

The ancestry of Auburn University football dates back to 1892. The Tigers became a charter member of the SEC in 1932 and are currently ranked the nation’s 13^th winningest college football program. The three Heisman winners to wear Auburn’s orange and blue are Pat Sullivan (1971), Bo Jackson (1985), and Cam Newton (2010).

The two coaches whose names adorn Auburn’s football stadium and field are Ralph “Shug” Jordan and Pat Dye. Jordan, who coached from 1951 to 1965, is the winningest coach in program history. Dye, for his part, orchestrated a 99-39-4 record and four SEC Championships while at Auburn. His greatest accomplishment while on The Plains may not have been the record or the championships, but that as Auburn’s Athletic Director he was able to bring The Iron Bowl to Auburn's campus. 

In January of 2004, Auburn, Oklahoma, USC, Boise State and Utah were all undefeated at the end of the regular season. Ranked #1 and #2 in the preseason AP poll, USC and Oklahoma were able rely upon that preseason poll to remain ahead of Auburn, who defeated more top 10 teams than USC and Oklahoma combined, in the final BCS poll. USC defeated Oklahoma handily and has since been stricken of that title as a result of NCAA sanctions. In 2010 however, led by Heisman winner Cam Newton, the Auburn Tigers were able to capitalize on the opportunity to play in the Championship game by leaving with a victory over Oregon. 

Following two years of subsequent decline under the direction of former coach Gene Chizik, Athletic Director Jay Jacobs replaced Chizik with Chizik’s former Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn. Auburn will not lose an offensive starter to graduation at the end of this season, and only four starters on defense will graduate. Adding a top ten recruiting class to a team that has already established an expectation of success, as it appears that Auburn will do, suggests a top three preseason ranking to begin next season

Numbers

            All-time record/ Bowl and Postseason Record/Claimed National Titles:

FSU: Regular season 498-237-17 (.674). Bowl/Postseason 25-14-2. Nat’l Titles in 1993 & 1999               AUB: Regular season 725-415-47 (.631). Bowl/Postseason 22-13-2. Nat’l Titles in 1957 & 2010

            2013 Passing comp, attempts, yards, and YPA, TD/INT:

FSU: 268 of 407 for 4,186. 10.29 YPA. 40/13

AUB: 159 of 258 for 2,205. 8.55 YPA. 18/7

2013 Rushing carries, yards, YPA, TD:

FSU: 474 attempts for 2,696. 5.7 YPA. 41 TD’s

AUB: 676 attempts for 4,364. 6.5 YPA. 46 TD’s

2013 Kicking Game:

Robert Aguayo has made 90 of 90 xp’s and 95% of fg attempted.

Codey Parkey has made 62 of 63 xp’s and 73.7% of fg attempted.

Line/ Over-Under/Records:

From FSU -7.5 to -8.5. O/U 66. FSU 13-0, AU 12-1.