Florida State vs. Boston College: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Game Time and More

When the 2-6 Boston College Eagles host the 5-3 Florida State Seminoles on Thursday night, it will be a battle between one team that is fighting for its life in the ACC, and another that is simply playing for pride.

The Seminoles entered the season as the odds-on favorites to win the ACC and play in a BCS Bowl game, but things haven't gone according to plan. Three consecutive losses to Oklahoma, Clemson and Wake Forest derailed their season, although they have bounced back with three wins since.

Boston College has been a bit of a mess this season, but the Eagles didn't really have high expectations to begin with. If Boston College can win out, then a bowl berth is still possible, so the Eagles will certainly be fighting for their lives against Florida State.

Ultimately, this is the type of game that the Seminoles absolutely must have if they want to have any chance at stealing the ACC, but Boston College won't go down without a fight.

Where: Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

When: Thursday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN/ESPN3

Listen: WBOB AM 600 (Florida State) and WEEI 850 AM (Boston College)

Betting Line: Florida State (-15)

Who Might Not Play for Florida State: OL David Spurlock

Florida State senior offensive lineman David Spurlock has missed the past three games with a knee injury and is questionable for Thursday's game against Boston College. Spurlock is a four-year starter at guard for the Seminoles and is a vital part of Florida State's offensive line.

Not only does Spurlock help from a blocking standpoint, but his experience can be extremely helpful in crucial situations. The Seminoles have been decent without him, but there is no doubt that the line is much more cohesive with Spurlock in the lineup.

Who Might Not Play for Boston College: LB Kevin Pierre-Louis

After missing Boston College's last game against Maryland with a leg injury, sophomore linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis is questionable against Florida State. Pierre-Louis started every game as a true freshman in 2010 and he finished second on the team in tackles.

Pierre-Louis has been a huge part of the Eagles' defense thus far in 2011 and his presence would be sorely missed against Florida State. Pierre-Louis has a great mix of speed and tackling ability, making him a rare athlete at linebacker that adds another dimension to Boston College's defense.

Key Storyline: Can Florida State Remain in ACC Race?

The Seminoles are currently a game-and-a-half behind the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Atlantic Division, and while a comeback may not seem likely, all Florida State can do is continue to win and battle back from a tough stretch that saw it lose three straight games.

Clemson showed vulnerability in losing to Georgia Tech last week, so it isn't inconceivable to think that the Tigers could come back to Earth over the remaining month of the season. If that does happen, then the Seminoles will probably need to win out, and it all starts with beating Boston College.

BCS/Top 25 Implications

At this point Boston College doesn't have a prayer of being included in the BCS poll this season and Florida State probably won't get there either. The Seminoles aren't out of it in the ACC, though, and that is essentially what this game will be all about.

The Eagles also have a shot at making a bowl game, but that would involve winning the rest of their games. There is no question that Boston College will be up for this Thursday night game a home, but it remains to be seen whether its exuberance will be able to make up for Florida State's clear talent advantage.

What They're Saying

The Seminoles should be flying high after shutting out the NC State Wolfpack 34-0 last week, but a quick turnaround could hurt Florida State's momentum. The Seminoles will have just five days to get ready for Boston College, and that could provide some challenges, according to Patrik Nohe of the Miami Herald.

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“Those [game plan] decisions have to be made very quickly. We had to have a practice [Sunday] and we worked ahead of course but you know you’re still processing, still making sure the right decisions get made,” [Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher] said.

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Florida State Player to Watch: QB EJ Manuel

As a team that has struggled to run the ball this season, all of Florida State's offensive burden has been placed on the shoulders of junior quarterback EJ Manuel. With Christian Ponder's departure to the NFL, Manuel has been left with the task of leading the Seminoles' offense.

Manuel's success has been spotty in that regard, but when he plays well, the Seminoles are in great shape because of their strong defense. Manuel's numbers of 1,776 passing yards and a 66 percent completion percentage are solid, but his 13:8 touchdowns to interceptions ratio needs to improve. If he plays a clean game, Florida State should have no issue winning.

Boston College Player to Watch: RB Rolandan Finch

Although sophomore running back Rolandan Finch wasn't a major part of the Boston College offense throughout the early part of the season, he has come on in recent weeks. Last week against Maryland, however, he exploded for 243 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries to help the Eagles pick up their first conference win of the season.

Boston College will need a similar effort from Finch on Thursday in order to beat the Seminoles. The Eagles' offense doesn't have a ton of weapons, so ball control can be a very important weapon. As good as Florida State's defense is, if Finch can keep them on the field, then the Eagles will have a fighting chance.

Key Matchup: Rolandan Finch vs. Florida State Run Defense

There is no question that Florida State has one of the nation's better defenses, and if not for that, the Seminoles could easily be worse than their 5-3 record indicates. Because of that, the performance of the defensive unit will be absolutely key in deciding Thursdays game against Boston College.

The Eagles aren't a high-powered offense and would seem to be an easy matchup for the Seminoles, but running back Rolandan Finch is the x-factor. If he runs like he did against Maryland last week, then there isn't much the Florida State defense can do, but if the 'Noles shut him down, then the Eagles likely won't have a prayer.

Prediction

Florida State 38, Boston College 17