Florida State vs. Boston College: Last Minute Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact

The 5-3 Florida State Seminoles will travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass. to take on the 2-6 Boston College Eagles on Thursday night in an ACC clash. Florida State was expected to be a major player for the conference championship, but they fell victim to a three-game slide.

Even so, the Seminoles are still alive, but they absolutely must beat an inferior Boston College team on the road. Florida State was able to get through a rough patch that included losses to Oklahoma, Clemson and Wake Forest, as it has won three games in succession.

Boston College wasn't expected to compete in the ACC this season, and that has held true to form. The Eagles have struggled all season, but were able to pick up a feel-good win over Maryland thanks to the determined running of sophomore running back Rolandan Finch.

The Seminoles are big favorites in this one, but the Eagles certainly have nothing to lose. Anything can happen in a conference matchup, so this could certainly shape up to be an interesting contest. 

Where: Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

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

Watch: ESPN/ESPN3

Spread: Florida State (-15)

Although 15 points is a lot to give up in a conference game on the road, the Seminoles are clearly the more talented team. Boston College may have found something offensively against Maryland, but Florida State has one of the better defenses in the nation.

Because of that, the Eagles aren't likely to put a big number up on the scoreboard. Also, Florida State has been tearing up lower-level ACC competition in recent weeks, so they should be able to ward off Boston College by at least three scores.

Over/Under: 46

While reaching 46 points isn't a given seeing as an offensively-challenged team like Boston College is involved, I think Florida State will do enough scoring to push the total fairly high. I think the Eagles will have trouble with quarterback EJ Manuel, so the Seminoles shouldn't have much trouble getting somewhere in the vicinity of 46 points on their own.

Florida State Key Injuries

Out: OL Henry Orelus (head)

Doubtful: OL David Spurlock (knee)

Questionable: WR Josh Gehres (knee), DL Moses McCray (knee), DL Darious Cummings (hand)

Probable: QB EJ Manuel (shoulder), WR Rashad Greene (ankle)

Boston College Key Injuries

Doubtful: OL Nathan Richman (back), LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (foot), RB Tahj Kimble (concussion)

Questionable: DL Conor O'Neal (illness), RB Dan Williams (leg), RB Andre Williams (ankle), DB Jim Noel (shoulder)

Probable: DL Dillon Quinn (shoulder)

BCS/Top 25 Poll 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 at home, but it remains to be seen whether its exuberance will be able to make up for Florida State's clear talent advantage.

Keys to Florida State Win

Offensively, much of the burden will fall on the shoulders of quarterback EJ Manuel. Production out of the running game has been inconsistent for the Seminoles this season, so it will likely be up to Manuel to carry the load.

The 'Noles will have to continue to play solid defense, particularly against the run. Boston College running back Rolandan Finch came from out of nowhere last week to post 243 rushing yards against Maryland. The Eagles will likely try to catch lightning in a bottle and pound him again, but the Seminoles can ruin that plan with stout defensive play.

Keys to Boston College Win

For Boston College to have success and possibly win, it will have to employ a similar game plan to what it did last week against Maryland. Rolandan Finch ran wild on the Terrapins and will be counted upon again on Thursday night.

The Eagles certainly don't have an explosive offense by any means, so grinding yardage out on the ground and possessing the ball will be vital. Boston College also struggles defensively, so a good running game will aid in keeping the ball out of EJ Manuel's hands, and it will ultimately give the Eagles their best chance at victory.

Prediction

Florida State 38, Boston College 17