FSU-Boston College: Five Things to Watch

Florida State, with an overall record of 2-4, will try to keep things from going from bad to worse on Friday night as it travels nearly 1,300 miles to face Boston College. The Eagles come in at an even 4-4 after rattling off consecutive wins over Louisville and Virginia.

After winning three of the first five meetings over FSU upon joining the ACC, Boston College has lost seven straight in the series. As the Eagles hope to avoid watching that number roll to eight, here are five things to watch for on Friday night:

1. Freshman Quarterbacks
Most Florida State fans know by now that James Blackman is the first true freshman to start for the Seminoles at quarterback since 1985, but Boston College is also quarterbacked by a freshman. Anthony Brown, who is a redshirt freshman, hasn’t had the greatest season, but does give Boston College’s maligned quarterback position hope for the future. Brown is completing just 54 percent of his passes and averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt, but is coming off a masterful performance at Virginia in which he completed 19 of 24 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Brown is a dual-threat, but is improving as a passer and FSU will try to force him to win the game with his arm.

Blackman is coming off a 3-turnover performance against Louisville, including the critical fumble with just over two minutes to play that set up the Cardinals’ game-winning drive. On Friday night, Blackman will have the crowd against him and must be smart with the football for FSU to get the victory. FSU managed just one offensive score in its last trip to Chestnut Hill, but did not turn the ball over. That will again be key this time around.

2. Freshman Running Backs
With junior Jacques Patrick out for an extended period of time with a knee injury, the rushing burden this week for Florida State will fall on highly-touted freshman Cam Akers. Akers leads the Seminoles with 454 yards rushing on 87 carries and will be facing a Boston College defense that ranks just 115th against the run. FSU didn’t run the ball as well as many would have liked last week against Louisville, but Akers could touch the ball more than 20 times on Friday and he gives the Seminoles the best chance to hit a home run on the ground.

Boston College also has a talented freshman running back in A.J. Dillon. At 6-0 and 240 pounds, Dillon is a big back, a physical runner and the definition of a workhorse. Against Louisville two weeks ago, Dillon rushed for 272 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries in an upset victory. If the Eagles can keep this one close throughout, Dillon has the ability to wear down the FSU defense.

3. Auden Tate
Junior Auden Tate has been without questions FSU’s most dependable wide receiver and arguably its offensive MVP thus far. Tate leads the Seminoles with 24 catches for 374 yards and his five touchdowns is almost as many as the rest of the offense combined. Last season’s contest against Boston College was a coming-out party for Tate, who finished with six catches for 101 yards and a pair of scores in a 45-7 victory. With George Campbell done for the year and Keith Gavin out Friday, Tate will need a big game.

4. FSU tackles vs. Harold Landry
Playing against great defensive linemen has been a theme for Florida State this season and on Friday night, it will face one of the nation’s best in Boston College defensive end Harold Landry. After leading the nation in sacks last year, Landry hasn’t been as dominant this season with five sacks and eight tackles for loss — both team-highs — but he is still a relentless pass-rusher and should be a real challenge for tackles Rick Leonard and Josh Ball. Protecting Blackman on Friday night will be paramount and if there is one guy FSU has to account for, it’s Landry.

5. Star Safeties
Although the numbers aren’t eye-popping, most are aware of what FSU redshirt sophomore Derwin James is capable of. James is among the nation’s best safeties and currently leads the Seminoles with 37 total tackles. Against a mobile quarterback and a solid rushing attack, James will be intricate to stopping the BC run on Friday night.

James however, isn’t the only talented safety that will be on the field. Converted cornerback Lukas Denis has been outstanding for Boston College this season from his free safety position. Denis ranks third on the team with 59 total tackles to go with an FBS-leading five interceptions and two forced fumbles. Against an FSU team with young players in the backfield and a thin receiving corps, Denis could be in for a big night.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson