By Matt Schulz
FANSonly.com

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There would be no upset to kickoff the second annual Virtual Championship Series. No. 1 Florida State made sure of that with a devastating second-half performance in beating No. 16 Stanford, 43-20.

Playing just down Interstate 10 from Tallahassee in the decidedly pro-Seminole Gator Bowl, the Seminoles scored nearly every way possible on the Cardinal. FSU advances to a VCS semifinal game at the Rose Bowl, where it will face the winner of tomorrow's Michigan-Michigan State rematch.

Stanford actually led early on, taking a 14-7 lead on a 6-yard run by RB Brian Allen. Then the onslaught came.

How did Florida State score? Let us count the ways:

FSU tied the game at 14 with a 37-yard run by RB Jeff Chaney with 2:30 left in the first quarter. Sebastian Janikowski gave the 'Noles the lead for good with a 40-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.

However, Stanford responded to the Seminoles' score with a drive down to the FSU 20-yard-line. But on a second-and-10 play with 3:47 left in the half, FSU nose guard Corey Simon hit Stanford QB Todd Husak, forcing him to errantly throw the ball straight to FSU cornerback Tay Cody. Cody returned it 86 yards for a touchdown and a 24-14 FSU lead.

Defense dominated the third quarter. Still, Stanford managed an 84-yard scoring drive in the final minute of the quarter to trim the FSU lead to four points at 24-20. But junior rover Derrick Gibson jumped in front of Husak's two-point conversion pass attempt to star WR Troy Walters and took it back 99 yards for a touchdown.

Stanford never threatened again. Florida State added three more scores, including a spectacular sideline touchdown catch by Peter Warrick from Chris Weinke.

Weinke was nearly flawless, winning the QB duel with Husak by going 22-of-37 for 310 yards, 1 TD and no interceptions. Husak was 20-of-37 for 255 yards and a TD, but also threw three interceptions.