Before we discuss Saturday’s ACC contest between Boston College and Florida State, the Noled Out staff asks that you please keep Florida State University in your thoughts and prayers regarding a shooting that took place inside the Strozier Library overnight Wednesday. Both members of our very small staff are FSU alumni and this matter is very dear to our hearts. Thank you.
The third-ranked Florida State Seminoles will conclude their regular season ACC slate on Saturday as Boston College comes to town for an Atlantic Division showdown. The Eagles look to derail Florida State’s national championship hopes after being idle this past week.
In last season’s contest in Chestnut Hill, Florida State was able to erase an early 14-point deficit to leave with a 48-34 victory — its closest of the regular season. As the Seminoles look to run the nation’s longest winning streak to 27 games and improve to 11-0, the Noled Out staff brings you, “Five Things”.
1. On Boston College
Mike Ferguson: Boston College plays an old school physical style of football that relies heavily on the ground game and a tough defense. Senior quarterback Tyler Murphy has been the biggest offensive weapon for an Eagles team that lost more than half of its yards from scrimmage from 2013.
Jon Marchant: Florida State plays the Boston College Eagles this weekend, who are 6-4 (3-3 ACC). Advanced metrics ranks their offense 25th best in the country, their defense 46th and their special teams come in as the 72nd ranked unit in the country. In other words, they have a good, run-first efficient offense, but their defense is average and their special teams struggle some in regards to field position. The Eagles are a bowl-eligible team, however, which means they are dangerous.
2. Players to Watch for FSU
Mike Ferguson: The players to watch this week for Florida State are junior linebacker Terrance Smith and senior wide receiver Rashad Greene. Against a mobile quarterback like Tyler Murphy, the Seminole ends will need to keep contain, but in open space, the linebacker corps for Florida State will need to make plays and Smith is the best FSU has. Last week, Greene became the first FSU receiver since Ron Sellers to notch consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Greene sits just 92 yards shy of equaling Sellers’ career record for receiving yards at Florida State.
Jon Marchant: The player to watch this week is Jameis Winston. There are a myriad of reasons why this 2014 FSU squad is starting slow in games, but one of the reasons is its signal-caller. Winston simply needs to play better in the first quarter, and not force the ball into bad spots which leads to turnovers. Many of his interceptions are on young receivers quitting on their routes, but plenty are on him forcing the ball when it’s just not there. With the re-shuffled offensive line that gave him an eternity in the pocket against the Miami front, look for Winston to be surgical against the Eagles’ secondary.
3. Biggest Concern for FSU
Mike Ferguson: The biggest concern again for Florida State will be trying to avoid another big early deficit. With Murphy and Jon Hilliman in the backfield for Boston College, the Eagles have the ability to eat clock and shorten the game should they be able to take an early lead.
Jon Marchant: The biggest concern for FSU is turnovers. Each time it gets down big in the first half, usually due to poor offensive play and turnovers, it puts the defense in a tough spot. Florida State has had multiple games with three turnovers including the last three, and must simply start taking care of the ball.
4. X-Factor for FSU
Mike Ferguson: It’s hard to imagine calling a team’s leading rusher an X-factor, but that’s what senior running back Karlos Williams will be for Florida State this week. With the emergence of freshman speedster Dalvin Cook in recent weeks, Williams will likely be relied upon to get the tough yards against a BC team that is very good when it comes to stopping the run.
Jon Marchant: An overlooked player coming into this game is Mario Pender. The sophomore running back has battled an ankle injury for over a month now and was expected to contribute on the road trip against Miami. FSU is thin at running back, as Dalvin Cook has also been banged up but still contributed spectacularly against Miami in the fourth quarter this past Saturday. One way to take the pressure off of Winston is to continue the resurgence of the Seminole ground attack.
5. FSU Wins If…
Mike Ferguson: Florida State will run its winning streak to 27 games this week if it takes care of the football and avoids falling into another early hole. Defensively, the Seminoles must gear up to stop the run and force Tyler Murphy into obvious passing situations and force him to win the game with his arm. Any semblance of balance on the offensive side of the ball would go a long way in the ‘Noles improving to 11-0.
Jon Marchant: Florida State will win if it can take care of the football and limit the turnovers. The Seminoles are more talented than Boston College, and should win, but it’s more than that. Goal number one is to get the win sure, but the ‘Noles are really banged up and need to get healthy. More than ever this year, they need to get up and put the game away early, giving the starters some much-needed rest as they prepare for the Gators.
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