FSU vs. Boston College: Staff predictions

Florida State returns home after a tough road victory at NC State to take on a Boston College team that snapped its 12-game ACC losing streak just two weeks ago against the very same NCSU team. However, coming away with a win will not be as easy in Tallahassee. At the time of this writing, the Seminoles are 21-point favorites over the visiting Eagles. In spite of this, BC has proven over the past few years that it is capable of keeping it closer than the experts think against FSU. How much of a chance do our staff writers give Boston College of pulling the upset?

Josh Pick

I don't expect this game to be aesthetically pleasing, but it should be an easy win. Florida State beats Boston College 30-10, while Dalvin Cook becomes FSU's all-time leading rusher, passing Warrick Dunn, one of my all-time favorite Noles (on and off the gridiron).

Matt Minnick

Florida State still doesn't get a first quarter touchdown, but the Seminoles do get their first comfortable win since USF. The defense gets two interceptions and 4+ sacks. Cook doesn't quite get the career rushing record, but he does get the job Dunn with 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. Patrick also scores and Francois manages to break 65% completion percentage.

I should be going for three consecutive nailed scores, but the refs stole Clemson from me.

FSU 31, BC 10

TimScribble

If there is one game FSU could potentially blow out an opponent, it should be offensively challenged BC. Saying that, the Eagles always seem to put up quite the defensive performance against the Noles, preventing said blowouts. I'll land somewhere in the middle on this one, Florida State 27, BC 7.

FrankDNole

I expect this to be FSU's most dominant performance on both sides of the ball once the game settles down in the second quarter.

From the little I know about BC, if the ‘Noles can contain their defensive line, there shouldn't be much left to slow FSU down, especially from their defensive backfield. Of course, containing the opposing teams defensive line hasn't worked out too well for Florida State so far this season, but I am optimistic after watching the revamped offensive line's performance last week.

In my prediction last week, I felt Wilson Bell would fill in adequately for Dickerson, and not only did he do that but it was the best pass blocking performance by the offensive line so far this season. The run blocking seemed less effective but I feel that was due to the NC State defense selling out to stop Cook. However, that reinforces my belief that FSU's offensive line played its best game by only allowing only one sack and giving Francois more time to throw than he has seen all season, despite the NCST defense loading the box for much of the game. Deondre Francois' competent performance will continue to make future opponents’ defensive strategy more difficult knowing they must respect both FSU's running and passing game.

The FSU defense should play its best game of the season so far against a weak BC offense. If FSU is able to rout the Eagles, the pressure will increase on an already embattled Steve Addazio, whose stock took another hit this week following his comments after their loss to UL, and may force changes on the BC coaching staff at the end of the season. I, for one, think Jimbo Fisher should put Addazio's beeper number on his speed dial list because I think he would be a good hire as FSU's OL coach should Rick Trickett decide to retire or accept another job opportunity somewhere else at the end of the season, although this scenario seems very unlikely.

FSU 45 - BC Flying Turkeys 17

lastnoleofkrypton

Cook gets the record and a line that played very well against NC State continues to play well vs. BC despite a couple of rough plays from Harold Landry. FSU’s defensive line dominates, putting constant pressure on BC QB Patrick Towles. Look for Josh Sweat, Demarcus Walker, Mavin Saunders, & Travis Rudolph to have standout games. FSU wins 30-3.

Bonus: Expect one successful throwback pass from the BC offense.

cblunt58

Short(ish) week, but at least the game is at home. Per usual, the offense will start slow, but BC doesn't possess the offensive firepower to put FSU in too big of a hole. The BC defense will keep the Eagles in the game for three quarters, but Cook will make just enough plays and finally have a big game vs the Eagles and, in the end, set the career rushing record for the 'Noles and leave with a win.

FSU 27, BC 16

Andrew Miller

Florida State: 17

Boston College: 7

The Boston College defensive front should be inside Francois' zone all game, and I don't think he will able to get comfortable in the pocket. Luckily for FSU, the Eagles' offense is inept, ranked 126th of 128th in the nation, and the only score BC will record will be late in the fourth quarter. Even if the team plays defense like it did at Louisville, BC won't score more than three touchdowns. Cook should be contained for the most part but should break one long touchdown run, with a short Francois touchdown pass being the only other touchdown for Florida State.

Curt Weiler

Once again, a talented Boston College defense steps up to limit what Cook is able to do, forcing Francois to provide a boost to the Florida State offense. He makes more than a few freshman mistakes but does throw for a pair of touchdowns and 250 yards.

On the other side of the ball, a BC offense which is among the worst nationally makes the FSU defense look like one of the nation’s best. The Seminoles very nearly earn a spiked baseball for Charles Kelly for the second straight season.

FSU 20, BC 3

David Visser

Last week, North Carolina State provided the blueprint for containing the Florida State offense: load the box to contain the legs of Cook and Francois, while staying over the top on defense and forcing the latter to make routine, underneath throws. The Wolfpack were successful in doing so with the No. 9 rushing defense in the country.

Don't expect that defensive approach to change much when Boston College suits up against the 'Noles. BC has the country's No. 8 rushing D, and I expect Cook to encounter stout resistance, as he has in two previous games against the Eagles. Between FSU's slow starts and Boston College's preference to shorten the game, this one remains relatively low scoring. I'll take Florida State by a score of 23-10.

Bud Elliott and Ingram Smith

For Bud and Ingram’s predictions, tune into the Boston College preview episode of the Nolecast.