Boston College is back at Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon with Florida State coming to Chestnut Hill, and the matchup arrives with both teams trying to steady themselves after uneven stretches.
The Eagles enter at 4-4 overall and 2-3 in ACC play after last weekend’s 47-2 loss to Duke. Before that setback, Boston College had strung together a much cleaner run, beating Pitt 27-21 and Georgia Tech 49-27 to move past last year’s win total.
Florida State comes in at 3-5 and 1-4 in the ACC, carrying a three-game losing streak into the game. The Seminoles have dropped games to Louisville 44-20, No. 1 Miami 43-35 in double overtime, and Clemson 36-24.
Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien didn’t buy the record as a fair measure of what Florida State brings to the field.
““Florida State is not a 3-5 team,” said Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien about the Seminoles on Thursday. “They have talent everywhere, at every position.
They've got great speed on offense. They've got great speed on defense.
They're tough. They play hard.
It's going to be a very, very challenging game for us.”
The game also comes with a familiar note from last season’s meeting, when Boston College beat Florida State 28-13 on Sept. 2, 2024.
Boston College’s game captains are Mason McKenzie, Michael Crounse, Zeke Moore, KP Price, and Anthony Palano. Florida State’s captains are listed as TBD.
The injury and availability rundown for Boston College includes Mason McKenzie, Grayson Wilson, and Femi Babalola at quarterback; Bo MacCormack III, Mekhi Dodd, and Nolan Ray at running back; Johnathan Montague Jr., Landon Wright, Javarius Green, Nedrick Boldin Jr., Jackson Wade, Dawson Pough, and Jaedn Skeete at receiver; Zeke Moore, Kaelan Chudzinski, Danny Edgehille or Brady Clough at tight end; Veguer “JuJu” Jean-Jumeau and Trevon Humphrey at left tackle; Robert Smith IV and Owen Snively at left guard; Michael Crounse, DJ Williams, Amir Johnson, and Owen Snively at center; Judah Pruitt and Amir Johnson at right guard; Kristian Phillips or Reggie Jackson at right tackle.
On defense, the listed options are Kris Jones or E’Lla Boykin and Israel Oladipupo at defensive end; Cameron McGee, KJ Sampson, and Josiah Griffin at defensive tackle; Micah Amedee, Christian Hudson, Gavin Neil, and Chuck Nnaeto at defensive tackle; Demetrius Ballard or Onye Nwosisi and Favor Bate at defensive end; Anthony Palano and Kemori Dixon at linebacker; Bodie Kahoun and Zacari Thomas at linebacker; KP Price and TJ Green at nickelback; Ashton Cunningham and Max Tucker at cornerback; Charlie Comella and Syair Torrence at cornerback; Marcus Upton, TJ Green, and Charlie Comella at safety; Carter Davis, Da’Jon Green, and Kameron Howard at safety.
The specialists listed are Cooper Crook and John Owens at long snapper; Bryce LaFollette and Andy Quinn at punter; Luca Lombardo and Jonathan Hewitt at kicker; Bryce LaFollette at holder; Charlie Comella and Javarius Green at punt returner; and T.J. Green, Bo MacCormack III, and Johnathan Montague Jr. at kickoff returner.
This section will be updated with the latest injury news throughout the game. Make sure to refresh your browser for the latest information.
In Other News...
Ashton Daniels Faces A Chance Florida State Desperately Needs
Florida States passing game gets a timely chance to breathe against a Pittsburgh defense that has been vulnerable through the air all season. The Panthers sit near the bottom of the national rankings in pass defense, allowing 252 passing yards per game and 13 passing touchdowns, which gives the Seminoles a clear opening to attack a matchup that could help stabilize an offense that has had its share of uneven moments.
For Ashton Daniels, the assignment is as much about efficiency as opportunity. He has thrown 12 interceptions this season, but he also has 14 touchdown passes, and Florida State will need him to lean into the parts of his game that can punish a secondary giving up big plays. With both teams carrying obvious strengths and flaws in the passing game, this one could come down to whether Daniels can take advantage of a defense that has been asking to be challenged. [Read more 🡒]
Florida States Ground Game Faces A Brutal Test At Pitt
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Pittsburgh just snapped its losing streak with a win over Georgia Tech and now gets a chance to build momentum against a Florida State team it has given problems before. With the Panthers allowing just 68 rushing yards per game, the Seminoles will need to find answers quickly if they want to keep their offense on schedule in a tough road environment. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Women Are Sending An Early Warning With This Start
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The bigger takeaway for Florida State is how complete the performance looked from start to finish. The Seminoles controlled the game with shooting, rebounding and defense, and that kind of balance is usually what separates a hot start from something more sustainable. Early in the season, it is a useful warning sign for the rest of the schedule. [Read more 🡒]