by Daniel J. Flynn

Nov 29, 2014 7:05 PM PT

Does point-shaving speculation dog Jameis Winston after every subpar performance because critics believe in his perfection as a quarterback or in his flaws as a human being? 

The 2013 Heisman Trophy-winner threw four interceptions and for just 125 yards in another Florida State nailbiter victory. This time, Oklahoma State, Clemson, Notre Dame, Louisville, Miami, BC, Florida played the role of the spoiler spoiled. 

The Seminoles beat the Gators on the field. They didn't beat the spread. 

VegasInsider.com favored the Noles by 7. The 24-19 triumph sent Twitter abuzz--or at least a-tweet. 

A report earlier this month from a gambling website, which used a bookie as an anonymous source, claimed that a Winston acquaintance had made a four-figure, first-half, gimmick bet--taking Louisville and points against Florida State--that paid off. Despite the evidence being decidedly less credible than the surveillance footage showing Winston making off with those crab legs, the report encouraged critics of Famous Jameis to cite it as further proof of the Heisman winner's questionable ethics. 

It could be worse. Instead of depicting the polarizing quarterback as this generation's Art Schlichter, the player haters could be again likening him to Mike Tyson in that Indianapolis hotel room. Better a degenerate gambler than a debauched rapist. 

Florida State faces Georgia Tech in the ACC championship game next weekend. Should Florida State win--and maybe even if they lose, something they haven't done in more than two years--Winston and the Seminoles will find themselves in a position to defend their national championship in the college football playoff. 

Previous Next