FSU Starting Over Against BC
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – The Florida State Seminoles had everything poised and ready to make a run at the BCS Championship after a 5-0 start. FSU looked like it was back on national championship scene and ready to contend, then they traveled to North Carolina State.
Much like it's been over the past several years, the Seminoles walked out of Raleigh with another head-scratching loss. The Seminoles looked ready to dominate with a solid defense and senior quarterback E.J. Manuel appeared to have taken the next step towards becoming a superstar.
A 17-16 loss to North Carolina State later, the Seminoles now have to clean up the mistakes from the last game as they welcome in the Boston College Eagles to Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday.
Luckily for the Seminoles, a visit from the woeful Eagles is just what the doctor ordered coming off a disappointing loss to the Wolfpack. BC has struggled this season and is just 1-4 on the season and hasn't won a game in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Not surprisingly, FSU is a four touchdown favorite over the Eagles this Saturday. FSU leads the conference in scoring, but that's thanks to two lopsided wins over Football Championship Subdivision schools. FSU's defense is also ranked first in scoring defense, allowing just 12.3 points per game, via cfbstats.com.
FSU's closest game before last weekend's loss at NC State had been a 12 point victory over 16th-ranked Clemson. The Seminoles' statistical dominance, especially on defense, was shaken by the Wolfpack who marched right through the Noles defense to score the winning touchdown.
Still, FSU's defense is only allowing 2.4 yards per carry and 221.5 yards per game this season, roughly 34 yards better than the next best defense in the conference. All of it making last weekend's loss to NC State even more maddening for Seminoles fans.
FSU should have a much easier time with BC who is next to last in the conference in total defense, giving up 468 yards, and is eighth in scoring defense, giving up 29 points per game.
The Noles have to be careful against BC and not overlook the Eagles. FSU travels to Miami next weekend to take on its arch-rival, the University of Miami Hurricanes. That makes Saturday's game against BC a classic trap game.
FSU's pursuit of the national championship is done for this season, but the team can still rebound and contend for an ACC Championship and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
FSU and BC will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN2.
