The Boston College Eagles swoop into Tallahassee to play the Florida State Seminoles in an ACC showdown on Friday, November 11th. The football game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on the ESPN2 Network for your viewing entertainment. As of now, the Seminoles are a -21 point favorite and the over/under for the match is at 48.5 points.
Last year in Boston, corner back Jalen Ramsey returned a fourth quarter fumble 36 yards for a score, and the Seminoles defense shut down the Eagles offense in a 14-0 grudge-match. As a result, Florida State captured their first shutout on the road in over a decade.
Boston College (4-5):
On November 5th, the Boston College Eagles got lit up by Lamar Jackson’s Louisville Cardinals 52-7. The Heisman Trophy contender ran for three scores and threw for four more. Obviously, it was a disappointing performance for the Eagles. Boston College had just snapped a two-year ACC losing streak when they beat North Carolina Sate the weekend before.
Boston College quarterback Patrick Towles has left a lot to be desired in the Eagles passing game in 2016. Although, he did manage to score the only touchdown the Eagles scored in last week’s affair. On the year, he has just under 1,300 yards passing with eight touchdowns and six interceptions.
Jon Hilliman and Davon Jones handle the running duties as the Eagles look to control the clock and move the chains the old fashioned way. together, they have accumulated over 700 yards and six trips to pay-dirt. Patrick Towels also contributes to the ground attack, with another 250 yards and four scores.
Four Eagle’s receivers try to keep the passing game afloat for coach Steve Addazio’s team. As a group, the wide outs have combined for 77 receptions for over 1,000 yards and seven scores. Tight end Tommy Sweeney also gets into the mix. He has nabbed 17 passes for just under 250 yards and another end zone appearance.
Unlike last week, the Eagles defense has been the strongest part of the Boston College team in 2016. They are giving up 322.6 yards per contest, which is good for 14th in the country. Impressively, Boston College’s front seven is ranked eight in the country against the run, allowing only 106 yards a contest.
#19 Florida State (6-3):
Against North Carolina State last week, the Seminoles took full advantage of a 83 yard drive in the closing minutes of the game to beat the Wolfpack 24-20. Quarterback Deondre Francois was efficient, throwing for over 300 yards and a touchdown. In 2016, the freshman gunslinger has racked up almost 2,500 yards passing with 12 touchdown tosses and four picks.
Since the fourth game of the year, running back Delvin Cook has lived up to the pre-season hype. He delivered again last week, notching a touchdown to give the Seminoles the road victory. All told, the sensational back has over 1,100 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Cook also catches the rock, reeling in 25 catches for 388 yards and another score.
Four Seminole receivers catch passes on a regular basis from Deondre Francois. all of the wide outs have caught at least 20 passes or more and have combined for six trips to the promised land. Travis Rudolph leads this unit with 38 catches for 599 yards and four scores.
Odd as it may seem, Florida State’s defense hasn’t even come close to being as productive as it’s been in the past. The Seminoles are 73rd in the nation, giving up over 410 yards a contest. the secondary is especially porous, allowing 257 yards a game which is 95th best in the nation.
Trends and Notes:
The Eagles are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 conference games.
The Seminoles are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
The Under is 6-1-1 in the Eagles last 8 Friday games.
The Under is 4-1 in the Seminoles last 5 games overall.
The Underdog is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Game Prediction:
The Boston College Eagles hope that they can revert back to the formula that got them their win over ACC foes North Carolina State. That is, run the football effectively and don’t put your defense in any short field situations. The Eagles defense is good enough to limit the Seminoles.
The Seminoles hope that some home cookin’ can get them out of the gate early in this game. Florida State has struggled through the first half of football games the entire 2016 season. Is they do, the chances the Eagles slothful offense can catch up are slim to none.
Let’s face it people, this is not the same Florida State bunch that were accustomed to seeing over the past decade of college football. Some things haven’t changed though, like the fact that the Boston College defense is as hard-nosed as ever.
Something else is the same in 2016, and that’s the slow starts from Florida State. Ride that pony one more time, and take Boston College’s defense to keep it close in the first half. Take the Eagles +13 half time.
