BC vs FSU Preview

Here are some facts:

-Montel Harris has never lost to Florida State.

-Since joining the ACC in 2005, Boston College is 2-0 playing at Florida State.

-In the last four years BC is 3-1 vs the Seminoles.

-Florida State starting quarterback Christian Ponder has never beat Boston College.

-In Tom O'Brien's 14 years as a head coach, a fullback has never run the ball. (Link)

-All this will change (except the Tom O'Brien thing probably).

Lets face it, Boston College is severely out matched this week. They go into Tallahassee 21 1/2 point underdogs with their longest losing streak in 12 years against a team ESPN's college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit says "might be the best team I've seen all year." Yes and it keeps getting worse. Florida State has scored at least 31 points in all five of their wins, -the lone loss coming against #10 Oklahoma on the road- for the past three weeks lead the country in sacks, and the last four weeks have only allowed 10.3 points per game. In the past three weeks for BC, they have scored a combined 30 points and have a true freshmen quarterback starting this week. Not an ideal match up for a team who cant score points to go up against a team that scores in bunches and doesn't allow more than 10 points per game.

And what about Rettig? His first start was against BC most hated rivals, Notre Dame, at night on ESPN. Gets injured on a misstep, out for the second half and against NC State. His second start? Once again on ESPN (how that happened I dont know), against arguably the best team in the ACC -the only ranked team in the ACC- Florida State at the most hostile environment BC will travel to all year. Welcome to Division I College Football Chase.

(Rettig will have his hands full against a talented FSU defense)

In the long term this will be good for Chase, giving him valuable experience dealing with adversity and being thrust into the spotlight and asked to perform. While I don't doubt Rettig's ability to lead this team -Can't wait to see what he can do on Saturday- there are too many problems with this offensive unit. Inexperienced receivers dropping passes, a porous O-line and more than questionable play calling by Gary Tranquil will be too much for this talented freshmen to overcome.

Looking at this game going into the year I thought one area BC would have an advantage in, and be able to rely on against a stout Florida State defense was their run game. However in five games this year Montel Harris has carried the ball 96 times for 387 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Florida State's dynamic running back tandem, sophomore Chris Thompson and junior Jermaine Thomas, have rushed for 421 yards 4 touchdowns on 47 carries and 386 yards and 6 touchdowns on 65 carries respectively.

(The speedy Thompson will be hard to catch)

BC, who held Virginia Tech's potent running back duo to under 100 yards, will have to slow down Florida State's rushing attack and force them to beat us through the air. No simple task. Senior quarterback Christian Ponder, a Heisman candidate in some circles, has already thrown for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. BC's defense must have a signature performance this Saturday if there is any hope of victory. However if BC cuts off the run, FSU will beat them with the pass. Simply put, Florida State will be the best team Boston College faces all season.

Realistically the best thing Boston College will do this weekend is put in a respectable showing against a vastly superior Florida State team. FSU will no doubt be motivated when their Atlantic division rivals come to town, with a win Florida State become bowl eligible and finally beat Boston College at home for the first time since BC's inception into the ACC in 2005. However BC fans there is reason for hope.

With Rettig back he should jump start the offense and continue to grow and gain experience for the future. Montel will benefit most from Chase's return, if the pass game opens up so will the running lanes. It can't get much worse for the Eagles this season, being shut out at home for the first time since '98 and the worst losing streak in over a decade, things should begin to turn in BC's favor. After FSU, Boston College plays Maryland and Clemson at home, then they travel to Wake Forest and Duke before coming home for their home finale against Virginia and concluding the season on the road against Syracuse. All winnable games and I'm saying right now that BC WILL MAKE A BOWL GAME.

I have cautious optimism for this weekend against FSU. Florida State will most likely win but BC will put up a respectable performance. But don't be surprised if BC stays perfect in Tallahassee, I'm not putting this game on upset alert (or am I?) but if Rettig can play like he did on his last couple series against ND, Saturday, October 16th could be a day to remember for BC fans and the start of a Boston College legend.

"When you haven't played [in college] you get caught up in the whole experience. But when I got out there, it was the same game I have played my entire life."-Chase Rettig (Boston Globe).

WE ARE BC