LOS ANGELES » Even if Oregon should build up a good lead against Florida State early in Thursday’s Rose Bowl, don’t expect the Ducks to slow down the pace of their attack.

The undefeated Seminoles (13-0) won four games in which they trailed in the fourth quarter, and overall the defending national champions outscored their opponents 113-63 in the final 15 minutes of regulation and overtime.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota said that’s a big reason his team’s offense can’t go conservative whatever the score during their semifinal game of the first College Football Playoff.

Mariota said his fellow Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston, is expert at leading his team to victory from behind.

"For sure. If we go down and score we gotta think like it’s 7-7. If we score again, 14-14," Mariota said Tuesday morning, in his final media appearance before the New Year’s Day game. Jameis will find ways to get back in the game. We have to finish every drive."

With the record-breaking Mariota passing for 38 touchdowns and rushing for 14 more, Oregon is 12-1 and ranked third in the Associated Press poll and second in the College Football Playoff Top 25. Florida State is third in the playoff poll and No. 2 in AP.

Alabama and Ohio State — Nos. 1 and 4 in the playoff rankings — also meet Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl to determine the other finalist. The championship game will be played Jan. 12 in Arlington, Texas.

Here is more of what Mariota had to say on the final day of player interviews before the Rose Bowl:

» Regarding his quick decision-making on the field: "It starts with the coaches. Coach Helfrich and Coach Frost have really helped my growth in understanding defenses and understanding where weak spots are in certain defensive coverages and different fronts."

» On what jumps out to him about Florida State’s defense: "Very aggressive. They got a bunch of playmakers that will find ways to turn the ball over, and they’re going to make their plays. They’re athletic and dynamic. … We really have to understand our game plan and make sure we stay with it and stay out of certain situations where they can really pin their ears back.

» On his weight after the awards circuit: "I’ve lost weight, from 219 to 215. … I think a lot of it might have been water weight. You travel, you get dehydrated. So I think maybe it was four pounds of water weight and I lost it over travel."

» On what the team gained through its loss to Arizona: "For the most part, we battled through a little adversity. Anyone will tell you, if you battle through adversity it will make you stronger."