Part 3 in a 10-part online-only series … Game 2, vs. The Citadel Sept. 6 in Tallahassee, 6:30 p.m. CDT, ESPN3 — The first nonconference meeting between the teams in nine years and sixth overall with FSU leading the series 5-0-1 … Game 11 vs. Boston College Nov. 22 in Tallahassee, time TBA, TV TBA — The Atlantic Coast Conference finale for the Seminoles, who lead the series 8-4 … Participate in #FSUTrivia on Twitter, follow Brad Milner @PCNHBradMilner for your chance to win one of 10 BCS Championship commemorative editions ... Click here to read Part 1 ... Click here to read Part 2
If ever there were a perfect example of implosion among #FSUTwitter it was Sept. 28, 2013.
This was the date Boston College nearly derailed any future plans for a Florida State title run when the Eagles jumped out to a 17-3 lead. Jameis Winston led FSU back and #FSUTwitter calmed down and pulled itself off the ledge amid screaming for Jimbo Fisher’s head.
This year’s rematch comes much later in the season, one week before the annual Florida finale in fact. It’s FSU’s 11th game and eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Many weeks prior, FSU will host The Citadel in what will be a massacre.
Boston College
The Eagles’ winning formula worked into the second quarter of last year’s meeting, as they won the battle on the line of scrimmage. Running lanes were open often and swing passes were plentiful. It was another slow start for the FSU defense, which was an early point of contention among the fan base.
BC was only one of two teams — the other Auburn — to rush for 200 or more yards against FSU last season. This wasn’t surprising, given BC’s ability to run against FSU no matter the scheme or player.
Prolific runner Andre Williams collected 149 of the 200 yards against the Seminoles a year ago, but he has departed for professional pastures. Williams and also departed quarterback Chase Rettig were part of a slight resurgence in the program in Steve Addazio’s first season. The Eagles won seven games and qualified for a bowl and will bring the same hard-nosed attitude into Tallahassee.
They also bring a familiar face in quarterback Tyler Murphy. The former Florida starter was a graduate transfer this spring and has hold of the No. 1 gig in Chestnut Hill. Murphy threw for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns while relieving the injured Jeff Driskel.
Addazio is high on Murphy, who he recruited while an assistant with the Gators. Murphy has won the job, but he will be pushed by a bevy of young signal-callers should he falter. He will throw to a wide receiving corps devoid of Alex Amidon, who accounted for half of the team’s yards and nearly half of the receptions in 2013.
The Eagles have two returning running backs that saw action in a combined 20 games. Both rushers, Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse, may not give the team typical power at the position but Addazio remains confident.
Willis rushed for 346 yards and two touchdowns, while Rouse had 125 on limited carries. Addazio noted both have competitive spirits and they’ll be needed running behind a line that has lost its two starting tackles.
Defensively, BC must replace five starters on the front seven, including linebackers Steele Divitto and Kevin Pierre-Louis, who combined for 220 tackles and nine sacks. Steven Daniels returns as the team’s leading tackler at linebacker and misses spring with an injury. Addazio said there was promise in youth, but it’s yet to be tested.
BC not having as much talent as other teams in the conference may not be rare, but the Eagles have largely been competitive over the years. This is especially the case against FSU and you can expect BC to play well despite being heavy underdogs.
The Citadel
Speaking of underdogs, or underBulldogs…
The Football Championship Subdivision opponent is trading the big payday for the expected blowout defeat. It’s The Citadel’s second game after opening against FCS playoff team Coastal Carolina and this will be a vastly more difficult test.
The Bulldogs are fresh off a 5-7 campaign that saw one Football Bowl Subdivision foe in Clemson. The Tigers won 52-6. FSU put 51 on Clemson without even trying.
The Citadel has experience with Heisman Trophy winners. The Bulldogs also played Tim Tebow and Florida in 2007 and the Gators dropped 70. You can expect this game to be in the same neighborhood.
The Bulldogs implemented new offensive and defensive schemes in the spring under first-year head coach Mike Houston. Optimism is high, as one might expect, but that won’t get the Bulldogs far in Tallahassee.
The Citadel will field a new starter at quarterback under seasoned yet still inexperienced dual-threat Aaron Miller. He’s seasoned in the fact he’s appeared in 28 games in three seasons. He’s inexperienced in the fact he’s yet to start a game.
Mitchell Jeter and James Riley return to anchor the Bulldogs’ defense. Riley was second on the team with 76 tackles and Jeter had 37 stops in 12 games.
- FSU’s top returning players: QB Jameis Winston (4,057 yards, 40 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 219 yards rushing, four TDs), RB Karlos Williams (730 yards, 11 TDs), WR Rashad Greene (1,128 yards, nine TDs), TE Nick O’Leary (557 yards, seven TDs), WR Kermit Whitfield (two rushing TDs, 619 kickoff return yards, two TDs), OL Josue Matias (29 starts), OL Cameron Erving (28 starts), PK Roberto Aguayo (21-22 FGs, 53 long, 94-94 XP), LB Terrance Smith (59 tackles, two sacks), DB Jalen Ramsey (49 tackles, one INT, one fumble recovery), DE Mario Edwards Jr. (28 tackles, 9½ for loss, 3½ sacks), DB P.J. Williams (35 tackles, three INTs), DB Ronald Darby (14 tackles, two INTs), DB Nate Andrews (35 tackles, four INts), LB Reggie Northrup (46 tackles).
- Boston College’s top returning players: RB Myles Willis (346 yards, 709 kickoff return yards, four total TDs), OL Ian Silberman, LB Steven Daniels (88 tackles, three sacks), LB Josh Keyes (30 tackles, 3½ sacks), DT Brian Mihalik (27 tackles, two sacks).
- The Citadel’s top returning players: QB Aaron Miller (407 yards passing, 196 yards rushing, two TDs), RB Vinny Miller (357 yards rushing, 175 yards receiving, two TDs), LB James Riley (76 tackles), DL Justin Oxendine (46 tackles, 4½ sacks), DL Mitchell Jeter (37 tackles).
- First-glance predictions: Don’t expect much of a game against The Citadel and don’t expect to see Jameis Winston and Co. much in the second half. As for Boston College, the Eagles are usually a tough opponent and this game will be no different. FSU will pull away late, but don’t be surprised if it’s close for a while.
- Next week: Another tandem look at ACC games at North Carolina State and at home against Wake Forest.
2014 FSU Football Preview story schedule:
June 25: The Citadel/Boston College
July 2: North Carolina State/Wake Forest
July 9: Syracuse
July 16: Notre Dame
July 23: Louisville
July 30: Virginia
Aug. 6: Miami
Aug. 13: Florida