Boston College vs Florida State Football Preview

For the entire extent of the 2011 college football season, this Thursday’s ACC game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Boston College Eagles looked like a complete dud, a game devoid of any intrigue or attractiveness. Now, however, there’s just enough evidence to suggest that maybe this night fight will offer something unexpected.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves: Florida State is still a prohibitive and heavy favorite in this clash at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Seminoles, after a miserable start to their season, are settling down and shrugging off the sickening feeling of tumbling right out of the ACC Atlantic Division race. It’s true that FSU has less pressure resting on its shoulders at the moment, making a revival seem a little cheap and hollow, but the point remains that the Noles are playing up to their capabilities at the present time. Quarterback E.J. Manuel is in control of the team’s offense and is allowing his talents to spill out in full flower on a football field. He is harnessing his abilities and channeling them into the ebb and flow of each game he plays.

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On the defensive side of the ball, Florida State has made just as many improvements as the offense has. The Noles have allowed a total of just 32 points in their last three games, but that statistic actually isn’t as impressive as the deeper truth of the matter indicates. Florida State’s 41-16 win over Duke on Oct.15 was a game in which the Noles built a 34-3 lead late in the third quarter and then conceded two cosmetic touchdowns that were scored long after the competitive phase of the game ceased to exist. Similarly, FSU’s 41-16 win over Maryland on Oct. 22 featured a late tack-on touchdown by Maryland in the fourth quarter. In terms of “meaningful points allowed,” otherwise known as points scored while a game’s outcome was still in doubt, Florida State has grudgingly conceded just 13 points over the last three games. Say what you want about the level of opposition provided by Duke, Maryland, and – last weekend – North Carolina State; the idea of allowing 13 points in three games – an average of under five points per contest – is mind-blowing. Florida State is very much in rhythm on both sides of the ball.

Yet, this game at Boston College could take a different turn. No, it’s not likely that it will, but at least the possibility exists. The Eagles were headed to a 1-11 season and a winless mark in their eight-game tour of the ACC. However, a funny thing happened on the way to an 0-8 “bagel”: Boston College stunned Maryland on the road to create this foreign entity called confidence. Coach Frank Spaziani’s team had been inept through week eight, but in week nine, the light went on. Boston College running back Rolandan Finch came out of nowhere to rumble for 243 yards. The Eagles pushed around Maryland all game long and established a 28-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter before Maryland scored yet another one of those garbage touchdowns to make the final score a deceptively modest 28-17. Boston College was authoritative and inspired against Maryland, winning easily despite committing four turnovers. If BC can avoid turning the ball over against Florida State and Spaziani’s defense can make some plays, who knows what can happen this Thursday?

Yes, Florida State is rightfully a huge favorite. However, at least Boston College now has a heartbeat. With a few weird twists in a New England autumn, a night game could be scary for the young men from Florida, who aren’t used to playing this far north.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer