Staff Keys to the Game: FSU at Boston College

Another week, another contest which originally looked like a comfortable win for a struggling Florida State (2-4) team. The Seminoles travel to Boston College (4-4) on Friday night, looking to make it eight straight over the Eagles.

FSU’s last loss to Boston College came under similar circumstances. Back in 2009, Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles made the trip north to face the red-hot Eagles, who were coming off a close win over Wake Forest. After blowing an 18-point lead, BC running back Montel Harris found the end zone with less than five minutes to play to give the Eagles a 28-21 victory.

We asked our staff what the Seminoles must do to avoid letting that happen again:

Mike Ferguson, editor

What can Brown do against you?

After facing a Heisman Trophy winner, there is a significant drop-off that Florida State will see at quarterback. That isn’t meant to be a knock on dual-threat freshman Anthony Brown, who is coming off the best game of his career. For the season however, Brown is completing just 54 percent of his passes while averaging a paltry 5.5 yards per attempt. The Eagles have a decent ground game with Brown, A.J. Dillon and Jon Hilliman, but the Seminoles have a good enough run defense to force Brown to make throws. The more they do that, the better off they’ll be.

Yes, we Cam

Much was made about Louisville’s weak rush defense coming into last week’s game in which the Seminoles proceeded to run for 155 yards, but on just 4.1 yards per carry. If there’s good news for FSU this week, it’s that Boston College’s rush defense is worse. The Eagles rank just 115th nationally, allowing 224 rushing yards per game. That’s last in the ACC and only three Power 5 schools — Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Ole Miss — are worse. FSU suffered a big blow this week when it learned that junior Jacques Patrick would miss significant time with a knee injury. Freshman Cam Akers however, is capable of having a big night and probably needs to for FSU to like its chances.

Be resilient

For all of Florida State’s faults this season and there are many, FSU hasn’t quit playing hard as a team. The Seminoles’ three ACC losses have come by just a combined 13 points, but after dropping two previous heartbreakers, they have found a way to pick themselves off the mat. Saturday’s loss to Louisville may have been the most difficult of the year and FSU is traveling a long way on a short week in what is essentially a must-win.

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Clint Eiland, lead writer

Limit turnovers

An offense that prematurely gives the other team more opportunities is worse than an offense that is simply bad. Quarterback James Blackman needs to get his turnover bug handled quickly or else BC will gain a ton of momentum in its home stadium.

Fight through adversity

If the team can’t get motivated by the danger of missing a bowl game for the first time in 36 years, then the season is already over. Florida state can absolutely blow out Boston College, but that requires every player to be just as invested as the next man. They need to reach deep down and realize what they’re playing for.

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Joshua Mixon, staff writer

Finish off drives

Had the Seminoles actually put away drives and found the end zone in the first half against Louisville, they probably win that game by 21. But, here we are. Jimbo Fisher’s offense has yet to hit its stride in 2017, and this is due to a variety of reasons; the Seminoles have lost a plethora of offensive players, and the loss of Jacques Patrick is only going to make things worse. BC can score, it has proven that the past two weeks. FSU must score too.

Run Akers, and run him a lot

Cam Akers showcased his abilities against Miami, running for 121 yards and ripping off a 46-yard run in the second half. He further demonstrated his talent against Duke when he broke off a Dalvin Cook-esque touchdown run, which proved to be the game-winner. On Friday night, Akers should see a much more intensive workload, which gives him yet another chance to showcase his immense talent. It’s up to Fisher on whether he wants to let him.

Game Info
Florida State vs. Boston College
Time: Friday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: ESPN/XM Radio channel 83
Location: BC Alumni Stadium, Boston, Massachusetts 

Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole. You can find him on Twitter @JoshDMixon.