It’s a short week for No. 18 Florida State, but a short week with a long trip for Boston College. The teams will meet at Doak Campbell Stadium on Friday night as the 6-3 Seminoles look to cement a 40th consecutive winning season. The Eagles, who come in 4-5, will be looking to get to .500 with hopes of eventually becoming bowl-eligible.
FSU will come in 3-touchdown favorites after rallying to beat N.C. State last week. Boston College is coming off a 52-7 thumping at the hands of Louisville. In its two previous meetings against ranked teams this year, Boston College has been outscored 111-17.
Before the Noles and Eagles kick things off in a Veteran’s Day match-up, here are five things to watch for:
1. Quarterbacks
Quarterback play (as always) will be key on Friday night and despite a disparity in experience, FSU will have the edge at the position. Redshirt freshman Deondre Francois has had a very good year for the Seminoles. Lauded for his toughness, Francois has passed for nearly 2,500 yards with 15 total touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. Boston College will likely gear up to stop FSU running back Dalvin Cook and force Francois to beat the Eagles through the air.
Fifth-year senior and Kentucky transfer Patrick Towles has been a step up from the many options tried by the Eagles last season, but has still struggled. Towles is completing just 51 percent of his passes on just 6.5 yards per attempt, but has aided the ground game with 250 yards rushing. Against a secondary that has struggled, Towles will need a big game on Friday night.
2. Dalvin Cook
For a third straight week, FSU running back Dalvin Cook will be taking on a stout run defense. Cook is just 127 yards away from the FSU career rushing record, but the BC defense headlined by defensive end Harold Landry and linebacker Matt Milano will likely be gearing up to stop Cook first and foremost. After five straight 100-yard rushing games, Cook was held in check with just 65 yards on 18 carries and a score last week. He was largely bottled up against the Eagles last season, finishing with 54 yards on 15 carries.
3. FSU Offensive Line vs. Boston College Defensive Line
Against a good defensive line for N.C. State last week, the struggling offensive front for FSU did a decent job in pass protection and will need to be up to the task again this week. Landry leads a Boston College defense that ranks 13th nationally with 27 sacks and a blitzing Milano must be accounted for. Right guard Wilson Bell did a decent job filling in last week for the injured Landon Dickerson. If the Seminoles can give Francois time to throw, that could open things up for Cook and the ground game.
4. Special Teams
If there’s an area where Boston College might have a distinct advantage over Florida State, it’s on special teams. The Eagles have been good covering kicks and punts while FSU has not. Tyler Rouse is a dangerous return man for Boston College in the punt return game while Myles Willis is also very good as a kick returner. With an inept offense, special teams could provide an opportunity for the Eagles to put some points on the board.
5. Miscues
It seems as though the only way Florida State will fall on Friday night will be with self-inflicted wounds. The Seminoles are +6 when it comes to turnover margin for the year, but they have blown coverages in the secondary and are the most penalized team in the ACC, with 77 penalties for an average of 81 yards per game. Boston College is in the middle of the pack in the ACC in penalties and turnover margin, but will need to play mistake-free football to have a chance.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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