Finally, college football is here! While Florida State University (FSU) fans got a Week 0 preview of how things are already worse than they were last year, Boston College (B.C.) Eagles fans have to wait for the Labor Day showdown in Tallahassee. It’s Boston College vs Florida State for Week 1 of the college football season, so let’s get started.
Boston College vs Florida State History & Quotes
These teams are not necessarily the biggest rivals, but that hasn’t stopped the tension from building.
Last year, FSU barely beat out the Eagles in a highly contentious matchup that B.C. really should have won. If not for a few bad penalties, a missed extra point and two-point conversion, and a late-game sack, B.C. would have upset FSU’s perfect season.
Since 2017, these teams have played each other closely for the most part with FSU coming ahead in every matchup from 2018 on. FSU are heavy favorites with the betting line opening at +21.5 for B.C. However, that has shifted slightly since FSU’s loss in Week 0 to a -16.5 spread.
The most notable change for the Eagles heading into this season has to be the installation of Bill O’Brien as head coach. FSU head coach Mike Norvell had this to say about facing the new coach.
“Obviously, coach O’Brien and his staff – they’re very extensive and he’s had a very successful coaching career. With him, Coach Lewis the defensive coordinator, it’s a team that will be very well-coached. They’re going to be tough. They’re going to be physical. They’re going to attack you in a variety of different ways offensively and defensively as well as in special teams.”
Boston College fans are also starting to feel the excitement of the season. FSU’s loss to Georgia Tech only emboldened fans and the trash talk started immediately. So who are the players that can bring B.C. over the hump to beat this FSU team?
Key Players for Boston College
Thomas Castellanos – Quarterback
It all starts with the quarterback. Thomas Castellanos diced up FSU last year with 400 total scrimmage yards, doing his best Lamar Jackson impression. With another year under his belt, if Castellanos can have a similar game this year it’s hard to see the Eagles not being in this game.
Boston College coach Bill O’Brien has been talking up his talented QB heaping on the praise leading up to this week, noting that Castellanos has improved as a passer.
He also stated, “we’re definitely going to let Tommy be Tommy. That’s what he does best. He’s a very instinctive player. He’s gotten better in the passing game. We just want him to play a really clean game and always make good decisions.”
Letting Tommy be Tommy means one thing for certain – he’s going to run the ball and run it well. Castellanos was FBS’s best QB rusher last year by nearly every metric. Look for that to continue on Monday.
Kye Robichaux – Running Back
Georgia Tech showed how to beat the Seminoles last week – run the football and control the clock. Kye Robichaux, B.C.’s leading rusher, should still lead the charge for this backfield along with transfer Treshaun Ward.
Last season, Robichaux was second on the team in rushing yards behind the aforementioned Castellanos with 780 yards and eight touchdowns on 161 carries. He struggled to move the sticks against a tough FSU defense last year with only 64 yards on 21 carries.
Now in his second season with the Eagles, Robichaux should set the tone early on the ground and help manage this game in B.C.’s favor. If it’s tough sledding again it will put a lot on Castellanos’s shoulders.
Key Players for Florida State
Malik Benson, Wide Receiver
Malik Benson is a transfer from Alabama who entered the season with a lot of hype. However, he looked completely invisible in Week 0. Benson only caught four passes for 39 yards and was held scoreless.
FSU’s offense struggled as a whole last week. However, if Benson can bring the talent and energy he was supposed to bring to this receiver room, FSU can jump out early and force B.C. to pass more than they want.
Patrick Payton, Defensive Line
Patrick Payton was electric last year for the Seminoles racking up seven sacks as a sophomore. He was all but invisible as well in Week 0, registering only one assisted tackle.
Payton is going to be essential in this game in stopping the run and getting to the QB. As the top defender on this team, he needs to step up and play like such. If he can disrupt the Eagles’ offense and be the game-wrecker he is supposed to be, FSU should have more than enough firepower to stall out the B.C. offense.
How Boston College Wins this Game
The formula is simple for Boston College – follow Georgia Tech’s approach.
Georgia Tech ran the ball 36 times to only 16 passes. GT’s quarterback Haynes King is a very similar player to Castellanos in that he is an inconsistent passer, but a good rusher. However, Castellanos is a much better runner.
If Boston College can play hard defense and disrupt an already poor-looking FSU offense while running the football with authority, they should pull off a tight game.
The biggest matchup for both these teams is going to be the front seven versus the rushing attack. Fans should anticipate a slow, ground-and-pound game no matter what. If Boston College can win that battle, they win this game. FSU has a superior defense, but Bill O’Brien is building a monster. Time for B.C. to show how scary it is.
Spencer Buckley
Hi Everyone! I'm happy you read this far to see my bio. I am a full time football and baseball enthusiast who would have "100% made the show if I didn't get injured...". Also do some Lawyer stuff in my free time.