Distractions Will Be Too Much For Jameis Winston And Florida State

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and Florida State has burdened the king’s regalia since January 6. The Seminoles are tired, they’re beat up, and they’ve been the amplified focal point of scrutiny all season.

12 teams have brought their best in hopes to dethrone the Seminoles, and Georgia Tech will be their most formidable opponent yet. Florida State has not faced a team as hot as the Yellow Jackets, who are winners of five straight and riding the high of demoralizing then ninth-ranked Georgia in Athens. Considering as well Paul Johnson winning his third Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday, Georgia Tech may be the most confident team in the nation as well.

Jameis Winston has spent big chunks of his last two days in a code of conduct hearing addressing his alleged and deplorable off-the-field issues. Addressing the Yellow Jackets on the field will take a lot more than ironclad legal representation.

I believe this will be the flood that breaks the dam. Georgia Tech will be too much, and will diminish Florida State’s opportunities at coming back a 13th time. Winston is hobbled both physically and mentally, and so are the Seminoles. Even Houdini couldn’t escape all of his precarious binds.

Unfortunately, the media may spin the outcome of the ACC Championship as a game Florida State lost, and not a game that Georgia Tech won, and the Yellow Jackets deserve better than that. Florida State is still undefeated in the defense of their title, and their 28-game winning streak speaks of a quality team, whether you play in the ACC, or if you play outside of the Power Five — off-the-field turmoil or not.

When Georgia Tech wins on Saturday, they’ll have already earned it. They proved their worth last week with a comeback win of their own.

Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry or add him on Google Plus.