With Landry Jones Leading The Charge, Oklahoma Dominates Florida State

Briefly, it seemed like Oklahoma-Florida State would be a track meet. Then the Sooners took off, leaving the Seminoles to stumble, again and again.

Oklahoma beat Florida State, 47-16, and the margin of victory was only closer than 35 because of an FSU touchdown as time expired. Landry Jones carved Florida State’s secondary into a handsome pile of deli meat, throwing for 380 yards and four TDs and getting over 300 of those yards and three of those scores before halftime. Florida State’s defense gave up 480 yards in total, and gave up more through the air to Jones in the first half than it did to Samford in total last week.

With their offense clicking—Oklahoma led 21-7 just 16 seconds into the second quarter—the Sooners were able to key on stopping the pass, and harassed Christian Ponder all day. If Ponder’s fledgling Heisman campaign was unlikely entering the day, his terrible outing (11-of-28 for 113 yards and two interceptions) leaves it on life support. Oklahoma limited FSU to just 346 yards, and 114 yards, almost a third of that total, came from backup E.J. Manuel in the final five minutes of the game.

For Oklahoma, this win will recalibrate expectations to national championship contention after a lackluster opener against Utah State. Florida State may have to adjust its sights, too: this team isn’t nearly a BCS contender just yet, though an achingly mediocre ACC might just give them that reward anyway.