After Auburn delivered its second-quarter body blow, Florida State's defense tightened up, allowing just 35 total yards on 12 plays in the third quarter. This gave Jameis Winston and company an opportunity to chip into the Tigers' lead, but the Seminoles weren't able to do very much with the opportunity. FSU gained only 91 yards on 18 plays, shortening the deficit to 21-13.
On Auburn's first possession of the second half, the Tigers got into third and long when left tackle Greg Robinson was called for holding. Nick Marshall failed to connect with Sammie Coates on third-and-18, and Auburn was forced to punt. It was a similar story for the Tigers on their other two third quarter possessions. Auburn kept finding itself in third and long, and that's not something its offense is built to recover from.
Florida State's 67-yard field goal drive was its longest scoring drive of the night, but the Seminoles will need to conjure up much more production than that if they are to avoid being upset.