Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Seminoles hope to carry the momentum on road
Florida State used a late defensive stop and a last-minute, game-winning drive to snap a 4-game losing streak to rival Miami last week. The win keeps FSU’s slim postseason hopes alive with the Seminoles needing wins over Boston College and Florida to reach 6 for bowl eligibility.
FSU has one road win (at North Carolina on Oct. 9) in the last two seasons and faces an Eagles team which is 3-1 at home with the loss coming to N.C. State.
Where: Alumni Stadium
When: Noon TV: ACC Network
Radio: Seminole Sports Network/ Sirius XM Ch. 384/974
Weather: 46 degrees, 3% chance of rain
Favorite: Eagles by 3 points
Coaches: Mike Norvell, second season, 7-12 (45-28 overall); Jeff Hafley, second season, 12-9 Quick slant: Florida State holds a 13-5 record in this series, winning the last two games. The Seminoles have won 4 of the last 5 games in Chestnut Hill, including 38-31 in 2019. … The programs faced each other every season since 2005 but didn’t play in 2020 as the ACC eliminated divisions to adjust its schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Florida State (4-6, 3-4 ACC): Quarterback Jordan Travis is coming off a career performance in a 31-28 win over Miami, passing for 274 yards while adding 62 yards on the ground with 2 touchdowns, including a 1-yard sneak with 26 seconds left. His 336 yards of total offense was a career high. … Tailback Jashaun Corbin needs 185 yards to eclipse 1,000. He would become the fourth Seminoles running back with 1,000 yards in a season since 2010, joining Cam Akers, Dalvin Cook and Devonta Freeman. … Safety Jammie Robinson has registered an interception in two straight games and 3 of the last 4.
About Boston College (6-4, 2-4 ACC): Quarterback Phil Jurkovec earned ACC QB of the Week honors after accounting for 5 touchdowns, 3 rushing, 2 passing in leading the Eagles past Georgia Tech, 41-30. The redshirt junior improved to 10-4 all-time as a starter including
4-0 in 2021 after missing most of the season with a right wrist injury. … Safety Jaiden Woodbey faces his former team after arriving as a graduate transfer in the offseason. Woodbey has 32 tackles and an interception. … Pat Garwo III needs 91 yards to become the fifth BC tailback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since 2010.
3 things to watch
1. FSU faces another stingy defense. This is the third time the Seminoles have faced one of the stingiest defenses in the ACC, previously going against Clemson and N.C. State. Boston College is one of 21 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision allowing 20 or fewer points per game. The Eagles are particularly tough against the pass, allowing 159 yards per game while only giving up 1 passing touchdown in the last four games. 2. Get Jermaine Johnson II going early. The Seminoles edge rusher is coming off a stellar performance, tying a career-high in sacks (3) and tackles for loss (5). He’s second in the country in sacks (11) and second in tackles for loss (16), but he’s going up against an Eagles offensive line that hasn’t allowed a sack in the 4 games Jurkovec has started. 3. Win the turnover battle. FSU has forced at least 1 takeaway in six straight games and multiple turnovers three times, including 3 in the win over Miami. In three of the Seminoles’ four wins, they’ve won the turnover battle. Boston College, meanwhile, has turned the ball over at least once in 8 of 10 games.