Boston College at Florida State: FSU Offense vs. BC Defense
By Joe Micik
Nov 1, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Boston College Eagles linebacker Matt Milano (28) recovers a fumble as linebacker Connor Strachan (13) helps defend in the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
FSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Stat Analysis
If one looks only at those numbers, they might not think this is such an unfavorable matchup for Boston College. For one thing, the Eagles defense has a big advantage in stopping the run and 41 teams are better than the Seminoles at accumulating yardage.
Yet, by looking at those same numbers and applying common sense from having seen the games, Boston College has a significant exposure when it comes to stopping the pass and getting off the field on third downs. If Winston is on, he can shred the Boston College defense and both teams know it, especially if the Eagles’ frequent blitzing is unable to put adequate pressure on him.
Several games come to mind immediately in which the Eagles had trouble with one or both: Colorado State, Louisville, and Virginia Tech. During individual halves, Boston College’s pass defense has struggled, like against Clemson just before halftime and into the second, as well as the second half against Wake Forest.
It is not impossible to get Winston to make mistakes, but the Eagles will have to get their pass rush going and play a very physical football game in general. The extra week of rest may help in that regard.
FSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Key Matchup
Jameis Winston vs. LB Josh Keyes. Keyes has been a little bit of everywhere during the plays this season for the Eagles, covering ground to make the big hit. He has been one of Boston College’s best players this season on defense, and when Don Brown sends Keyes on a blitz, or Winston takes off on his own, it will need to be successful if the Eagles plan to slow the Seminole offense down.
FSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Florida State Offensive Names to Know
• Senior RB Karlos Williams leads the Seminoles with 530 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. He was involved in an off-the-field incident recently.
• Senior TE Nick O’Leary, grandson of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has 406 yards and is one of the top targets of Winston.
• Senior WR Rashad Greene leads all Seminoles and the ACC with 1042 yards; he also has five touchdowns. He’s no Alex Amidon but he does fine.
FSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Boston College Defensive Names to Know
• Junior LB Steven Daniels leads the Eagles with 61 tackles this season.
• Sophomore DE Kevin Kavalec has come on strong lately, now with 9.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.
• Senior CB Manny Asprilla is one of the more consistent members of the secondary, totalling 47 tackles and nine passes defended, the latter of which leads the team.
FSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Final Analysis
Forget that the stats say that Boston College has a decent defense: they are going to have their hands full with Florida State’s offense. There is not much sense in pointing to this number or that number, because the game is played in the real world, and reality holds that FSU is all but guaranteed to score more than 30 points.
Only Clemson held them to less, and though Boston College may hold them to the lower end of the spectrum of their typical offensive performances this season, they can only do so much. In other words, they may be able to slow FSU down, but stopping them will take a herculean effort beyond anything we have yet seen.
The good news for Boston College is that slowing them down might be enough, depending on how their own offense performs.