Any hope of extending the nation’s longest bowl streak and a run of 41 consecutive winning seasons will be on the line for Florida State on Saturday as the Seminoles host Boston College.
The Eagles snapped a 7-game losing streak to FSU last season in Chestnut Hill and will be looking for their first win in Tallahassee since 2008. The contest will be the final ACC game of the year for the Seminoles.
The Match-Up
Who: No. 20 Boston College Eagles (7-3, 4-2 ACC) at Florida State Seminoles (4-6, 2-5 ACC)
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida
When: 3:30 p.m. EST
Network: ESPN2
Spread: Boston College -1*
Last Week: Boston College fell to Clemson, 27-7; FSU lost at Notre Dame, 42-13
Key Players
For Boston College
A.J. Dillon, RB (So.): 936 rush yards, 5.3 YPC, 8 TD rush, TD catch
Wyatt Ray, DE (Sr.): 37 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 9 sacks
Connor Strachan, LB (R-Sr.): 81 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, FF
For Florida State
Tamorrion Terry, WR (R-Fr.): 29 catches, 554 yards receiving, 19.1 YPR, 7 TD catches
Brian Burns, DE (Jr.): 39 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 9 sacks, 3 FF, FR
Stanford Samuels III, DB (So.): 46 tackles, TFL, 3 INT
Series History
All-Time Series: Florida State leads 11-5
Last Meeting: Boston College won in Chestnut Hill, 35-3 (Oct. 27, 2017)
Last Meeting in Tallahassee: Florida State won, 45-7 (Nov. 11, 2016)
First Meeting: Boston College won at home, 20-7 (Sept. 28, 1958)
Notable Contests
The legendary Bobby Bowden’s first road win as Florida State head coach was an upset of No. 13 Boston College in October 1976 by a 28-9 score. FSU forced four turnovers, including a fumble that was returned 65 yards for a touchdown by Rudy Maloy. Jimmy Black, Rudy Thomas and Mark Lyles all scored rushing touchdowns in the victory.
Boston College’s first game as a member of the ACC was a top-20 home contest with Florida State on Sept. 17, 2005. FSU linebacker A.J. Nicholson helped the Seminoles race to an early 14-0 lead with an interception return for a touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage and a second pick later in the first quarter that set up Florida State’s first offensive touchdown. The Eagles would storm back with 17 unanswered points, but FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford’s second touchdown pass to Greg Carr put the Seminoles ahead for good before Lorenzo Booker’s rushing touchdown put the exclamation point on the 28-17 win with less than four minutes to play.
Boston College was ranked No. 2 in the country as it invited Florida State to Chestnut Hill to open the month of November 2007. Florida State quarterback Drew Weatherford passed for 354 yards and two touchdowns in the contest as the Seminoles clung to a 20-17 lead with less than four minutes to play. The Eagles would get the ball inside their own 10-yard-line and march past the 30 before FSU linebacker Geno Hayes returned an interception from Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan 38 yards the other way for the game-sealing touchdown in a 27-17 win for Florida State.
What’s at Stake
For Boston College: A victory for Boston College would mark an eighth win, which would be the most for the Eagles under head coach Steve Addazio. Boston College is also seeking three ACC road wins for the second straight season.
For Florida State: Florida State must win to move within one win of bowl-eligibility. At 36 straight years, FSU has the nation’s longest bowl streak. Finishing 2-6 in conference would be the worst mark ever for the Seminoles in ACC play. FSU also aims for its first win over a ranked team since topping Michigan in the Orange Bowl to conclude 2016.
Fun Fact
Florida State will wear black jerseys on Saturday. FSU first debuted the black uniforms against Boston College in 2006 to honor the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
*According to Bovada
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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