Deal with it: Florida State Seminoles are in prime playoff position

Like it or not — and those who do not like grow larger by the week — Florida State has the clearest path to the inaugural College Football Playoff.

The Seminoles are one of four undefeated teams. One of the two others — Mississippi State and Mississippi — is guaranteed a loss. The other is Marshall, which won’t be part of the playoff.

No team is in better shape than Florida State, as uncomfortable as that makes many feel with many missteps of quarterback Jameis Winston.

The publicity building toward last week’s clash with Notre Dame included Florida State coaching legend Bobby Bowden warning on ESPN, “He’s got to grow up. … He does things that kids in grammar school or kids in junior high would do.”

The obscene shouting on campus that got him suspended for the Clemson game and the revelation of 2,000 authenticated autographed items, although Florida State says Winston wasn’t paid for any of them, are this year’s unwanted stories. They follow the 2012 sexual assault allegation.

Bo Jackson has said he’s reached out to Winston in an attempt to provide guidance. Herschel Walker said he wouldn’t consider Winston for the Heisman Trophy “until is act is cleaned up.”

But Florida State appears to be on a “deal with it,” run after surviving Notre Dame on Saturday. The Seminoles were outgained by nearly 150 yards, had the ball for six fewer minutes and didn’t lead until 7 1/2 minutes remained.

Offense pass interference was called on the Irish on what would be been the go-ahead touchdown with second remaining and Florida State triumphed 31-27.

Sunday, the Seminoles maintained their No. 2 ranking in the polls and with five regular season games remaining, plus the ACC Championship Game, they have the softest schedule remaining of any of the contenders. The toughest test figures to be the next game, at Louisville on Oct. 30, a Thursday.

After that, it’s Virginia, at Miami., Fla., Boston College, Florida and if it wins the division the ACC title game.

And then probably the College Football Playoff, and college football will have to deal with it.

RISING

Trevone Boykin to Josh Doctson

The TCU battery connected seven times for 225 yards. In a span of three snaps, they hooked up for touchdown passes of 77 and 84 yards. Boykin, perhaps the most improved player in the Big 12, finished with a career-best 410 passing yards as the Horned Frogs beat Oklahoma State 42-9.

Cody Kessler

In the last two games, Southern California quarterback Cody Kessler had thrown one touchdown pass. In Saturday’s 58-26 victory over Colorado, he threw seven. That’s a school record, and it matches the Pac-12 mark established by Arizona State’s Mike Pagel in 1981.

West Virginia

The Mountaineers handled No. 4 Baylor, moved into a second place tie in the Big 12 and jumped into the polls. West Virginia meets two other top contenders — TCU and Kansas State in Morgantown.

FALLING

Texas A&M

Were the Aggies really the nation’s sixth ranked team? A month ago they were 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the league, but three straight losses, the latest an embarrassing 59-0 walloping at Alabama, has them reeling.

Oklahoma

The Sooners may have dropped from the College Football Playoff with a 31-30 home loss to Kansas State. Oklahoma kicker Michael Hunnicutt missed a 19-yard field goal late and K-State understands that pain having missed three field goals in its loss to Auburn. By the season’s end, Oklahoma may have provided a lesson in putting too much stock in a big bowl victory from the previous season.

North Carolina State

After an encouraging 4-0 start, the Wolfpack has dropped four straight to sink to the bottom of the Atlantic Division. N.C. State has to find two more victories to become bowl eligible in Coach Dave Doeren’s second season.

COMMITTEE OF ONE

The College Football Playoff projection, if the season ended today

Sugar Bowl

Mississippi State vs. Auburn

Rose Bowl

Florida State vs. Mississippi

Knocking on the door: Alabama, Oregon, Michigan State, TCU, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Ohio State

This story was originally published October 19, 2014 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Deal with it: Florida State Seminoles are in prime playoff position."