Tale of the tape: #1 vs. #2

A rundown of how the resume of #1 Mississippi State stacks up against #2 Florida State.


Mississippi State (6-0, 3-0)
Largest margin of victory:  49 points (vs. Southern Miss)
Smallest margin of victory:  5 points (@ LSU)
Average margin of victory:  21.83
Most points scored:  49 (vs. Southern Miss)
Fewest points scored:  35 (@ South Alabama)
Average points scored:  41.83
Most points allowed:  34 (vs. UAB)
Fewest points allowed:  0 (vs. Southern Miss)
Average points allowed:  20

No overtime games.

They beat three ranked teams:
at #8 LSU, currently #24
#6 Texas A&M, currently unranked
#2 Auburn, currently #5

Against those ranked teams, Mississippi State has won by margins of 5, 17, and 15 points.

The only time Mississippi State has trailed during a game was in the Texas A&M game, when A&M scored on their first possession.  The Bulldogs answered on their next possession, and never trailed again.

Florida State (7-0, 4-0)
Largest margin of victory:  40 (vs. Wake Forest)
Smallest margin of victory:  4 (vs. Notre Dame)
Average margin of victory:  16.28
Most points scored:  56 (@ NC State)
Fewest points scored:  23 (vs. Clemson)
Average points scored:  37.85
Most points allowed:  41 (@ NC State)
Fewest points allowed:  3 (vs. Wake Forest)
Average points allowed:  21.57

One overtime game, a win against Clemson, playing with a backup QB due to suspension.

They beat 2 ranked teams:
#22 Clemson, currently #21
#5 Notre Dame, currently #7
Oklahoma State climbed into the rankings but dropped down after another loss, but would be #27 if the rankings continued.

Against teams that have been ranked at some point in the season, FSU won by margins of 6, 6, and 4.

Florida State has trailed in several games:
-Clemson took the lead on FSU twice.
-NC State jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter.  FSU did not take the lead until late in the 3rd quarter, as both teams kept trading scores.
-Wake Forest led FSU during the first quarter.
-FSU was tied with Notre Dame at several points in the game, but never held an outright lead until the early fourth quarter.

Conclusion
Looking at these numbers and facts, it's easy to see how Mississippi State was able to jump over Florida State in the polls.  They've clearly been a dominant force in all of their games, while Florida State has almost played down to their competition in some games.  Plus, there are perceptions based on last season, where FSU blew out every opponent by at least 20 points.  Mississippi State did not have as good a season last year, so there are no expectations this year.