Boston College Athletics
Photo by: John Quackenbos
W2WF: History Intertwines Eagles, 'Noles Once More
November 10, 2016 | Football, #ForBoston Files
Another crossroads on the season pits BC against FSU.
History has a funny way of intersecting events in sports. Old events have a way of influencing the present and the future and those days have a way of recalling or recreating anything that happened long ago.
Think about the New England Patriots. David Tyree's helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII is one of the most iconic events in professional football history (much to my chagrin), providing a play that helped pave the New York Giants to the Lombardi Trophy. Seven years later, Jermaine Kearse's catch nearly recreated the moment, on the exact same field, in the exact same kind of moment.
Those two moments reflect one another and have a way of enhancing the experience for fans of both teams. As Boston College gets set to take on Florida State, it's that type of intersection that will make for a compelling kind of game.
Let's start with the history. The Eagles enter the game at 4-5 on the season with bowl eligibility still very much on the table. Despite the statistical probability, the team's endured three blowout losses at the hands of very capable teams: Virginia Tech, Clemson and Louisville.
This week, they draw another very capable team in Florida State.
"Florida State is without a doubt one of the measuring sticks in our conference," head coach Steve Addazio said. "They're in the upper echelon. It's one of the high-water mark programs in the ACC, always has been."
It's a Seminoles program, however, that always seems to have played in tight games with the Eagles. Three years ago, BC hung tough with FSU, scoring 34 points and losing by only 14. It was the toughest game the eventual national champions played until the BCS National Championship Game against Auburn.
Two years ago, it took a last minute drive by Jameis Winston for the Seminoles to beat the Eagles, 20-17, at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Last year, despite the early game offensive struggles and eventual injury to quarterback Darius Wade, BC still only lost, 14-0, in a game where FSU scored nearly the lowest amount of points on the season.
"I think the guys will always feel like we're going down and just playing an elite team," Addazio said. "Great players want to play great in big games. When you're playing Florida State, you know it's an unbelievable arena and an opportunity to play a great program and great players. Hopefully what it does is bring out the best in you."
The last couple of tries against those top echelon teams have ended in disappointment. For BC, there's a new chance and a new opportunity to write a new chapter in the tight history against Florida State as opposed to the more recent history of results.
***
Weekly Storylines (Batman Edition)
Just for the record, this refers to the Michael Keaton/Jack Nicholson movie as opposed to the Christian Bale trilogy. There's plenty of Batman to go around, for what it's worth.
Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? -The Joker
It would be incredibly patronizing to everyone to ignore the recent results against elite teams. Having lost big to three top-echelon conference teams, there's a precedent the Eagles would rather not exist. But that's history, and history is just that - the past.
I've always been a believer that past performances don't mean much to the immediate game. There is an element where it's used to determine tendencies, but there's so much that goes into preparation for an individual opponent that each game needs to stand on its own. That's something that goes both ways; the past losses don't mean anything to how a team will play in this one game, but it also means the past victories don't mean much either.
If we're using the statistics as a measuring stick, FSU remains an incredibly talented team, even if its not as explosive as it might've been in the past. The Noles are fourth in the nation in red zone offensive efficiency, which means they're very good, but they're trending down into the 40-65 range for passing, rushing and scoring offense.
FSU is going to have playmakers and the jersey and environment in Tallahassee is worth noting. But this isn't the same explosive team that we've seen in the last few years. That said, the Seminoles still capable of being explosive time and time again and everyone knows it.
"They're very talented, very well-coached," Addazio said. "Jimbo Fisher does a great job with his program on both sides of the ball, keeping the momentum going, coaching them. I see the same (this year). They have a balanced offense, physical up front, talented receivers."
Can somebody tell me what kind of a world we live in where a man dressed up as a bat gets all of my press? -The Joker
Playmakers always seem to be on the offensive side of the ball. Since they score more often, they get the face time on the camera, smiling and celebrating after another successful score. Defenses, though, are truly what win games.
FSU's defense is, like so much else in the program, incredibly talented. In its last three victories, the Florida State defense has opponents to 20 points or less, including providing the difference in a one-point win over then 10th-ranked Miami. Against Wake Forest, it held the Demon Deacons - who are a surprisingly good team this year - to just six points.
Statistically, the defense could give up something. It's lost to North Carolina and Clemson by three points or less in games where it gave up 37 points, resulting in skewed statistics. It's the 81st-most efficient passing defense and the rushing defense is giving 153 yards per game. The Seminoles only rank 74th in tackles for loss per game, nearly two full less than BC amassed this year.
"The challenges will be great up front with the offensive line," Addazio said. "But this is what you know you're going to face when you face Florida State. It's what you have to prepare for."
One way to combat this is to limit possessions, all while making the most of your own scoring chances. This is a matchup between two teams who are in the top 10 nationally in time of possession, meaning the typical "1 0chances" per game will probably be substantially less. It places a premium on points and sustaining drives almost as much as it does limiting the opponent.
Gotham City. Always brings a smile to my face. -The Joker
Playing at Florida State is always a challenging exercise. The crowd will number 80,000 strong, all chanting and waving their arms at opponents. The football culture of Tallahassee is rich and deep and the embracing of the Seminole mascot and tradition is something few places offer.
"I don't know if you're going to quiet that crowd," Addazio said. "That's a great arena. Obviously you need to play as well as you can. That is a home-field advantage stadium without a doubt, passionate crowd, love their team, as they should.
"The best thing you can do is play well and not give any opportunity to encourage them that how loud they are is going to make a difference in the game."
One mistake could snowball in an environment like that, as what happened at Virginia Tech. This is a great opportunity for BC to show what exactly its learned from past experiences.
***
Meteorology 101
The state capital located in the Florida panhandle, Tallahassee, is going to be gorgeous on Friday, albeit cooler than people might think. The daytime high will be reaching towards 80 with clear skies, but the overnight low dips down into the 50s.
That means the game-time feel will probably be closer to what last month was like in Chestnut Hill. It'll be warm but not oppressive. It'll be clear but not cold. It's a perfect night for football.
***
Scoreboard Watching
Boston College will come home from Florida State to play its final two games - one at home and one on the road. Next week, the Eagles will wrap up their non-conference schedule against Connecticut. There's obviously much to do about a game against the Huskies, something that will be discussed at length next week when it's time to talk about the game.
UConn is off this week after losing last Friday to the Temple Owls, 21-0, at home. The loss eliminated the Huskies from bowl contention, which means the game at BC is likely to become their regional bowl game and Super Bowl.
***
Prediction Time
A game against Florida State is never easy. Through the years, it's the team that's killed Boston College dreams. They're the ACC's reigning elite class, one of the signature programs who helped build the very foundation on which the conference is constructed.
Given the recent history against top-tier teams, there's a good cause for concern. BC struggled to handle those teams on both sides of the ball. But a win isn't out of the question. As I mentioned earlier, the past is the past, no matter how recent it is.
It can be used to make an educated guess, but ultimately, until the games are played on the field and nothing is for sure. This is a big game for the Eagles against an FSU team heading for a second-tier bowl for the first time in what feels like forever. That presents an opportunity to play as they did two weeks ago at NC State.
Believe it or not, FSU sat in sixth place in the Atlantic Division as recently as last week. Although they're in fourth behind Clemson, Louisville and Wake Forest, a loss would drop the Noles right back where they came from. A win for BC, currently in seventh, would vault the Eagles out of the proverbial cellar and right back into the mix for a middle-tier bowl.
Is it going to be tough? Absolutely. Is it doable? Sure is.
Boston College and Florida State. History intertwines them again on Friday night in Tallahassee.
Â
Think about the New England Patriots. David Tyree's helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII is one of the most iconic events in professional football history (much to my chagrin), providing a play that helped pave the New York Giants to the Lombardi Trophy. Seven years later, Jermaine Kearse's catch nearly recreated the moment, on the exact same field, in the exact same kind of moment.
Those two moments reflect one another and have a way of enhancing the experience for fans of both teams. As Boston College gets set to take on Florida State, it's that type of intersection that will make for a compelling kind of game.
Let's start with the history. The Eagles enter the game at 4-5 on the season with bowl eligibility still very much on the table. Despite the statistical probability, the team's endured three blowout losses at the hands of very capable teams: Virginia Tech, Clemson and Louisville.
This week, they draw another very capable team in Florida State.
"Florida State is without a doubt one of the measuring sticks in our conference," head coach Steve Addazio said. "They're in the upper echelon. It's one of the high-water mark programs in the ACC, always has been."
It's a Seminoles program, however, that always seems to have played in tight games with the Eagles. Three years ago, BC hung tough with FSU, scoring 34 points and losing by only 14. It was the toughest game the eventual national champions played until the BCS National Championship Game against Auburn.
Two years ago, it took a last minute drive by Jameis Winston for the Seminoles to beat the Eagles, 20-17, at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Last year, despite the early game offensive struggles and eventual injury to quarterback Darius Wade, BC still only lost, 14-0, in a game where FSU scored nearly the lowest amount of points on the season.
"I think the guys will always feel like we're going down and just playing an elite team," Addazio said. "Great players want to play great in big games. When you're playing Florida State, you know it's an unbelievable arena and an opportunity to play a great program and great players. Hopefully what it does is bring out the best in you."
The last couple of tries against those top echelon teams have ended in disappointment. For BC, there's a new chance and a new opportunity to write a new chapter in the tight history against Florida State as opposed to the more recent history of results.
***
Weekly Storylines (Batman Edition)
Just for the record, this refers to the Michael Keaton/Jack Nicholson movie as opposed to the Christian Bale trilogy. There's plenty of Batman to go around, for what it's worth.
Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? -The Joker
It would be incredibly patronizing to everyone to ignore the recent results against elite teams. Having lost big to three top-echelon conference teams, there's a precedent the Eagles would rather not exist. But that's history, and history is just that - the past.
I've always been a believer that past performances don't mean much to the immediate game. There is an element where it's used to determine tendencies, but there's so much that goes into preparation for an individual opponent that each game needs to stand on its own. That's something that goes both ways; the past losses don't mean anything to how a team will play in this one game, but it also means the past victories don't mean much either.
If we're using the statistics as a measuring stick, FSU remains an incredibly talented team, even if its not as explosive as it might've been in the past. The Noles are fourth in the nation in red zone offensive efficiency, which means they're very good, but they're trending down into the 40-65 range for passing, rushing and scoring offense.
FSU is going to have playmakers and the jersey and environment in Tallahassee is worth noting. But this isn't the same explosive team that we've seen in the last few years. That said, the Seminoles still capable of being explosive time and time again and everyone knows it.
"They're very talented, very well-coached," Addazio said. "Jimbo Fisher does a great job with his program on both sides of the ball, keeping the momentum going, coaching them. I see the same (this year). They have a balanced offense, physical up front, talented receivers."
Can somebody tell me what kind of a world we live in where a man dressed up as a bat gets all of my press? -The Joker
Playmakers always seem to be on the offensive side of the ball. Since they score more often, they get the face time on the camera, smiling and celebrating after another successful score. Defenses, though, are truly what win games.
FSU's defense is, like so much else in the program, incredibly talented. In its last three victories, the Florida State defense has opponents to 20 points or less, including providing the difference in a one-point win over then 10th-ranked Miami. Against Wake Forest, it held the Demon Deacons - who are a surprisingly good team this year - to just six points.
Statistically, the defense could give up something. It's lost to North Carolina and Clemson by three points or less in games where it gave up 37 points, resulting in skewed statistics. It's the 81st-most efficient passing defense and the rushing defense is giving 153 yards per game. The Seminoles only rank 74th in tackles for loss per game, nearly two full less than BC amassed this year.
"The challenges will be great up front with the offensive line," Addazio said. "But this is what you know you're going to face when you face Florida State. It's what you have to prepare for."
One way to combat this is to limit possessions, all while making the most of your own scoring chances. This is a matchup between two teams who are in the top 10 nationally in time of possession, meaning the typical "1 0chances" per game will probably be substantially less. It places a premium on points and sustaining drives almost as much as it does limiting the opponent.
Gotham City. Always brings a smile to my face. -The Joker
Playing at Florida State is always a challenging exercise. The crowd will number 80,000 strong, all chanting and waving their arms at opponents. The football culture of Tallahassee is rich and deep and the embracing of the Seminole mascot and tradition is something few places offer.
"I don't know if you're going to quiet that crowd," Addazio said. "That's a great arena. Obviously you need to play as well as you can. That is a home-field advantage stadium without a doubt, passionate crowd, love their team, as they should.
"The best thing you can do is play well and not give any opportunity to encourage them that how loud they are is going to make a difference in the game."
One mistake could snowball in an environment like that, as what happened at Virginia Tech. This is a great opportunity for BC to show what exactly its learned from past experiences.
***
Meteorology 101
The state capital located in the Florida panhandle, Tallahassee, is going to be gorgeous on Friday, albeit cooler than people might think. The daytime high will be reaching towards 80 with clear skies, but the overnight low dips down into the 50s.
That means the game-time feel will probably be closer to what last month was like in Chestnut Hill. It'll be warm but not oppressive. It'll be clear but not cold. It's a perfect night for football.
***
Scoreboard Watching
Boston College will come home from Florida State to play its final two games - one at home and one on the road. Next week, the Eagles will wrap up their non-conference schedule against Connecticut. There's obviously much to do about a game against the Huskies, something that will be discussed at length next week when it's time to talk about the game.
UConn is off this week after losing last Friday to the Temple Owls, 21-0, at home. The loss eliminated the Huskies from bowl contention, which means the game at BC is likely to become their regional bowl game and Super Bowl.
***
Prediction Time
A game against Florida State is never easy. Through the years, it's the team that's killed Boston College dreams. They're the ACC's reigning elite class, one of the signature programs who helped build the very foundation on which the conference is constructed.
Given the recent history against top-tier teams, there's a good cause for concern. BC struggled to handle those teams on both sides of the ball. But a win isn't out of the question. As I mentioned earlier, the past is the past, no matter how recent it is.
It can be used to make an educated guess, but ultimately, until the games are played on the field and nothing is for sure. This is a big game for the Eagles against an FSU team heading for a second-tier bowl for the first time in what feels like forever. That presents an opportunity to play as they did two weeks ago at NC State.
Believe it or not, FSU sat in sixth place in the Atlantic Division as recently as last week. Although they're in fourth behind Clemson, Louisville and Wake Forest, a loss would drop the Noles right back where they came from. A win for BC, currently in seventh, would vault the Eagles out of the proverbial cellar and right back into the mix for a middle-tier bowl.
Is it going to be tough? Absolutely. Is it doable? Sure is.
Boston College and Florida State. History intertwines them again on Friday night in Tallahassee.
Â
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