Florida State will make a long trip on a short week to face a team that is suddenly red hot on Friday night. After a 2-4 start, Boston College has racked up consecutive wins over Louisville and Virginia. Over the two contests, the Eagles have scored 86 points, which is only two fewer than they had in their first six games combined.
Boston College hasn’t defeated Florida State since Jimbo Fisher took over as head coach in 2010. This came after the Eagles won three of the first five meetings upon entering the ACC. Last year’s contest was a 45-7 pounding on a Friday night in Tallahassee.
On Boston College
Record: 4-4 (2-3 ACC)
Offensive Ranks: 88th in yards per game (375.3), 102nd in passing yards per game (181.5), 39th in rushing yards per game (193.8), 101st in points per game (23).
Defensive Ranks: 111th in yards per game allowed (421), 38th in passing yards per game allowed (197), 115th in rushing yards per game allowed (224), 75th in points per game allowed (27.5).
Last Game: Won at Virginia on Saturday, 41-10.
On Offense
It may be too early to name freshman quarterback Anthony Brown the second coming of Doug Flutie or Matt Ryan, but the 6-foot-1, 210-pound freshman has given the Eagles their most consistent play at quarterback since at least Tyler Murphy in 2014. Brown is a dual-threat with a low completion rate at 54 percent and a low yards per attempt average at 5.5, but is coming off the best game of his career in a win at Virginia. A.J. Dillon, another freshman, is having a solid season at tailback with 694 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Veteran Jon Hilliman has provided valuable depth.
In the passing game, the Eagles like to spread the ball around. Kobay White leads the team with 24 receptions for 313 yards, but tight end Tommy Sweeney and converted quarterback Jeff Smith aren’t far behind. Sweeney, Hilliman and 6-4 Charlie Callinan all have two touchdown grabs this season. Along the offensive line, Boston College starts one senior, two juniors, a sophomore and a freshman. BC is averaging a respectable 4.3 yards per carry, but has only allowed seven sacks in eight games.
On Defense
The face of the Boston College defense is without a doubt, senior end Harold Landry. Landry hasn’t had quite the season that many expected, but leads the team with five sacks and is tied for the team-lead with 8.5 tackles for loss. At the other end position, Zach Allen has been nearly as good with four sacks on top of his 8.5 stops for loss. Allen is also tied for the team-lead with 65 total tackles. Ray Smith and Noa Merritt are both experienced players at defensive tackle.
The loss of Connor Strachan was a huge blow for Boston College at linebacker, but senior Ty Schwab has stepped up with 65 total tackles, including four for loss. At cornerback, Boston College is experienced with two seniors starting in Isaac Yiadom and Kamrin Moore, but the best player in the secondary has without question, been safety Lukas Denis. Denis has 59 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles to go with his nation-leading five interceptions.
On Special Teams
Junior kicker Colton Lichtenberg has had his struggles this season for the Eagles. Lichtenberg is 10-for-15 on the year on fields goals, but just 2-for-6 from beyond 40 yards. Mike Knoll, who did the placekicking last season for Boston College, is averaging 40.4 yards per punt this season. In the return game, Boston College has been very good in kick and punt coverage. Michael Walker has been dangerous as a punt returner, averaging 15.5 yards on 21 returns.
Summary
The Boston College defense isn’t the dominant force that it has been in years past, but the Eagles are much improved on offense and continually getting better. After beating Louisville and Virginia on the road in consecutive weeks, Steve Addazio’s team should come in supremely confident for this contest with FSU. The short week, long trip and prime time crowd won’t make things for the Seminoles any easier.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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