CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Florida State endured a lopsided loss and a coaching change ahead of its trip to Boston College for an ACC matchup Saturday afternoon. The once-mighty Seminoles fell to 9-12 under Willie Taggart following a 27-10 loss to in-state rival Miami last week, and Taggart was let go as the team tries to salvage something of a third straight subpar campaign.
TV: Noon ET, ACC Network. LINE: Boston College -2.5
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"We're going to fight," interim coach Odell Haggins told reporters. "We're unconquered. Exactly what I told them and that's what they need to hear. They're our kids, and they're going to fight to uphold Florida State University." While the Seminoles are at a crossroads, the Eagles are coming into the matchup with some momentum following a 58-27 runaway win in a record-setting performance at Syracuse last weekend. Boston College set a school mark with 691 yards on offense and its 496 yards on the ground were just shy of a 46-year-old program record. "When you can do what we do like we did it, that's overwhelming for a defense," coach Steve Addazio, who is trying to gain bowl eligibility for the sixth time in seven years at the school.
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (4-5, 3-4 ACC)
The Seminoles’ quarterback situation continues to be as undefined as the program itself, with both senior Alex Hornibrook and sophomore James Blackman seeing snaps against Miami. Hornibrook has been the primary passer in the last two weeks and has a completion percentage of 68.9 on the season with only two interceptions in 122 attempts. Junior running back Cam Akers, who leads the ACC with 16 total touchdowns, needs 17 rushing yards to record the second 1,000-yard campaign of his career.
ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (5-4, 3-3)
Junior star AJ Dillon led the dominant effort at Syracuse with 242 yards and three TDs on 35 carries. “I always want to be the guy, not in a cocky way or in an ego way,” Dillon told the media after the game. “But I feel comfortable with my teammates and my coaches knowing that if we need to get a score you can put the ball in my hands and I’ll do everything I can to get that.” The nation’s second-leading rusher with 1,286 yards, Dillon needs 17 more to become the first player in school history with 4,000 for a career.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Eagles sophomore QB Dennis Grosel completed 8-of-10 passes against Syracuse after going 21-of-60 through his first seven games.
2. The Seminoles have allowed 35 sacks, tied for the fourth-highest total among FBS teams.
3. Florida State gained a 12-5 all-time series advantage with last year's 22-21 win at home on a 74-yard TD pass to WR Tamorrion Terry with 1:49 left.
PREDICTION: Boston College 34, Florida State 27