WHAT’S AHEAD: The annual rivalry game against Miami. This time, it’s prime time on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET) from Sun Life Stadium in Miami. The Hurricanes figure to be reeling from losses to Notre Dame and last Saturday’s 18-14 setback to North Carolina. Even worse, there is uncertainty whether Miami QB Steven Morris (ankle sprain) can play at full strength, or whether an untested backup will be needed for Saturday. For that reason, FSU has been installed by a whopping 17-point favorite on the road. But remember the last time this happened, just two weeks ago against N.C. State? No matter how many losses or what kind of prelude has existed to this game, the Hurricanes always play FSU at a different emotional and performance level than any other opponent. What has changed, however, in this rivalry game is the difference a venue makes. Going to Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, has brought the game a long distance from the UM campus and has created a more neutral atmosphere in the stands. FSU fans will fill nearly half the stadium, so it’s not the same kind of road game it used to be at the old Orange Bowl Stadium.
–For the fourth time this season and the sixth time since 2000, Florida State eclipsed 600 yards of total offense in a game. The Seminoles racked up 649 yards — the second-most yards of total offense this year. It marked the 15th time FSU has rolled up 600 or more yards of total offense against ACC opponents as a conference member. Florida State also tied the 1995 team for the most 600 yards of total offense in a single season.
–Boston College came into the game with its only win against Maine. But several players, including starting S Sean Sylvia, created bulletin-board material prior to the game by sending Twitter messages implying that FSU was soft.
“Those kind of guys have had everything handed to them over the years,” Sylvia said. “And I don’t think they can respond to a tough loss like last week (against N.C. State).”
Besides the bravado from a team that just lost to Army, the Seminoles obviously took note. And responded with a thorough pounding.
“Well, we were real offended by that,” said LB Christian Jones.
–The Seminoles had two 100-yard receivers — Kenny Shaw (125 yards) and Christian Green (102 yards). It was the first time since the Wake Forest game last season that feat has been attained.
KEEP AN EYE ON: RB Devonta Freeman. After missing two games for personal reasons, following the tragic murder of his cousin, Freeman went from thinking about quitting the team to being the leading rusher with eight carries for 70 yards. He led FSU in rushing last season. His performance against Boston College gives reason to believe the Seminoles now have three talented tailbacks to use and alternate to prevent any from getting worn down.
LOOKING GOOD: The passing game returned. Even with two interceptions, QB EJ Manuel led an offense that generated 649 yards, including 448 through the air. This is what happens when you let your fifth-year senior quarterback and the cadre of receivers who create mismatches run loose for plays. Nine different offensive players caught passes. The crowd loved it. The team was excited. It was a totally different approach than occurred the previous week at N.C. State, when the play calling was so conservative.
STILL NEEDS WORK: The Seminoles can’t shake these sluggish starts. They were very fortunate in the first quarter that this game didn’t have a different tone. Boston College took the opening kickoff and possession from its 31 and drove to a first down at the FSU 1. From there, however, a game-changing goal-line stand was staged. But then it could have gone backward again. On a 3rd-and-3 play on FSU’s first possession from its 8, Manuel recovered FB Lonnie Pryor’s fumble for a first down and the offense eventually took the break and scored the first touchdown. But a BC score on that first possession, or if BC would have gained that fumble recovery, and the Seminoles could have been in a first-half dogfight rather than a path to a rout.
Since the Clemson game, this team has now gone four straight games with slow starts.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I understand fans are passionate and they care, that’s what makes Florida State a great place. I have no problem with that … coaches coach and players play. If you can’t have thick enough skin to do that, than you shouldn’t be in the business.” — Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, reacting to a post-game question after Boston College win on recent fan criticism.