FSU Preview: Florida State at Boston College

Saturday at noon on the ACC Network the Seminoles will be in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts to play the Boston College Eagles.

Boston College is 6-4 with wins versus Colgate, Massachusetts, Temple, Missouri, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. The Eagles four losses came against Clemson, North Carolina State, Louisville and Syracuse.

FSU is 12-5 all-time in the series versus Boston College. Florida State won the last meeting between the two in 2019, 38-31.

Observations from the last game

The streak is over! The ‘Noles defeated the Hurricanes for the first time in five years in what could be the beginning of the turnaround under Coach Norvell.

Jordan Travis passed for a career high 274 yards and connected on the two biggest throws of the night. Miami’s plan was to force Travis to beat them and he did just that. (FSU is now 4-2 when Travis starts).

The offense had great success with the toss/shovel pass through out the game. I expect it to be a staple in the game plan for the last 2 games.

Defensive end Jermaine Johnson wreaked havoc on the Miami offense the entire game. He had three sacks, five tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Freshman cornerback Omarion Cooper had a spectacular performance, which helped him earn ACC defensive back of the week.

Florida State offense versus Boston College defense

The BC defense has been great against the pass this year, 5^th in the FBS in passing yards allowed, but have been inexplicably bad versus the run. FSU needs to stay on schedule to keep themselves out of long third downs.

Keeping the ball on the ground should do the trick if the ‘Noles don’t commit mental mistakes and penalties. After a few games with low rushing numbers for Travis, Jashaun Corbin, and Tre’Shaun Ward, I expect them to have a huge game. BC’s defense doesn’t have anyone that jumps off the stats page, but they play well as a collective unit. All three starting linebackers have at least 40 tackles and the safeties know to find the ball as well.

Florida State defense versus Boston College offense

FSU will face another quarterback that has been playing very well in Phil Jurkovec. Boston College is 4-0 when Jurkovec starts and he threw 5 touchdowns in those games. When Jurkovec is in the lineup BC has a balanced attack, but while he was out the Eagles were run heavy. This allowed Pat Garwo (909 yards rushing) and Alec Sinkfield (281 yards rushing) to pad their stats. The Eagles go to receiver is Zay Flowers, who has 40 catches for 653 yards. FSU’s Jarvis Brownlee will be the man tasked with dealing with another very talented receiver.

Special Teams

FSU is once again at a disadvantage in the kicking game.

Prediction

I think the ‘Noles will keep the complimentary style of football going and pick up their 5^th win in a high scoring affair. Seminoles 38 Boston College 29.