Oklahoma @ Florida State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2010 ) Florida State 17, Oklahoma 47

THE STORY: Second-year coach Jimbo Fisher said this summer that high expectations are “why you come to Florida State.” Because Fisher has embraced those expectations, he has the Seminoles on the cusp of returning to national prominence. Fifth-ranked Florida State hosts No. 1 Oklahoma in the first meeting between top five teams in Tallahassee since 2000. The winner will emerge with a shot at an undefeated season and a BCS championship game appearance. Florida State, which finished ranked in the top five an NCAA-record 14 straight seasons under the legendary Bobby Bowden (1987-2001), can re-emerge as a national power and boost its title hopes by avenging last season's 47-17 loss in Norman. It will be anything but easy. Oklahoma is 13-3 under Bob Stoops after a bye and 72-8 as the No. 1 team in the nation. Florida State, meanwhile, is 1-5 all-time against the nation’s top-ranked team.

TV: ABC. LINE: Oklahoma -3

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (2-0): Junior E.J. Manuel, coming off his first-career 300-yard game, will get a stern test from one of the best defenses in the nation. Junior cornerback/punt returner Greg Reid returns from a one-game suspension (team rules). Reid and promising sophomore cornerback Xavier Rhodes have a tough matchup against the prolific quarterback-wide receiver combination of Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles. The Seminoles’ defense, led by Stoops’ younger brother Mark, is looking to avenge last year’s poor effort (487 total yards) in Norman.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (1-0): Jones (375 yards, one touchdown) and Broyles (14 catches, 158 yards one TD) were in mid-season form in a 47-14 victory over Tulsa on Sept. 3. The passing game will be even more dangerous upon the return of sensational sophomore wide receiver Kenny Stills, who served a one-game suspension for his DUI arrest in January. Highly regarded sophomore Corey Nelson continues to start in place of All-American linebacker Travis Lewis (broken toe).

EXTRA POINTS

1. “This is the test. … This is the game you want to live for.” - Florida State safety Lamarcus Joyner, on facing the No. 1 team.

2. Lewis, who has 362 tackles in three seasons, tweeted Monday: "Won't be playing this week. Still another week away. Sorry Sooner fans."

3. This is the first contest between top five teams at Doak Campbell Stadium since the No. 3 Seminoles pounded No. 4 Florida 30-7 in 2000.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 37, Florida State 27 - The Seminoles aren’t on the Sooners’ level just yet. Florida State’s only hope is to control the clock with its solid running game and keep Jones and Broyles off the field.