Boston College Football Required Viewing: Florida State at Miami
By Joe Micik
For the second time this season, Boston College football has a bye week, but there is an important game that will have not only an impact on the College Football Playoff, but the Eagles themselves: Florida State at Miami.
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The undefeated Seminoles have dropped to number three in the nation and are on their way to Coral Gables to face the red-hot Miami Hurricanes. Why is this important? Of course, Boston College plays Florida State in Tallahassee next week.
For one thing, it might help see what we are up against, as if we do not already know. The Seminoles are a very, very good team, and they have not lost in about two years. The Eagles were one of only two teams to come close to knocking them off last season, but at Doak in 2014, it will be a difficult task.
The other more obvious reason why Eagles fans should be interested in Florida State at Miami is that it just might matter what situation Boston College will inherit next week. Is Florida State going to continue riding high, entering the Eagles game undefeated at 10-0? Will they fall in Miami and fall to the outside of the playoff hunt looking in?
These things do matter. There are some who would argue that it is more dangerous to play a team like the Seminoles after a loss. In a way, they might be right. A Florida State team coming off of a loss might be quite angry and determined, unlikely to let down their guard. Yet, that does not necessarily mean they will let down their guard if they win in Miami. Boston College’s best chance might be if FSU treats it as a “trap” game.
Jameis Winston has thrown five interceptions in his last two games. Does this continue against Miami, and therefore give some hope to Boston College? That is another thing we will have to wait and see.
Finally, it will be noteworthy to see how Miami handles the Florida State defense. With Duke Johnson in the backfield, the Hurricanes have gotten very good at running the football. If they can keep the sticks moving with a solid ground performance, that may bode well for the Eagles next week.
Whatever happens, Miami, just soften them up for us.