Boston College @ Florida State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2015 ) Florida State 14, Boston College 0

Junior Dalvin Cook has a chance to become Florida State’s all-time leading rusher when the 18th-ranked Seminoles host Boston College on Friday night in an ACC matchup. Cook needs 127 yards to pass Warrick Dunn (3,959) for the top spot in Florida State history after being held to 65 in last week’s 24-20 come-from-behind victory at North Carolina State.

Cook won’t have it easy against a Boston College defense which ranks second in the league against the run (106.6 yards), but Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher told reporters his team is playing hard despite being out of contention for the College Football Playoff and the ACC title game. “They still believe in each other, believe in what we’re doing and they believe in this program,” Fisher said. “And they want to be part of history and what this program has meant in the past. I think that carries them today. There’s a lot of pride in this group.” Boston College still has a chance to get a bowl bid after last week’s 52-7 loss to No. 6 Louisville at home and a strong performance in Tallahassee would go a long way toward sealing it. Eagles coach Steve Addazio told reporters he likes his team’s attitude and demeanor as it approaches the final three games, which include battles with Connecticut and Wake Forest.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Florida State -21

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (4-5, 1-5 ACC): The Eagles could not follow up their first ACC victory against N.C. State versus Louisville, allowing Heisman Trophy candidate Lamar Jackson 416 total yards. Boston College is 15th in the nation in total defense and eighth against the run, but its offense is still a work in progress. Quarterback Patrick Towles has completed only 51 percent of his passes, the Eagles are 88th in the nation in rushing yards and sophomore Michael Walker is the only receiver with at least 20 catches (24 for 281 yards).

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (6-3, 3-3): Fisher announced Monday that senior receiver Jesus Wilson will undergo foot surgery and is out for the rest of the season while sophomore Nyqwan Murray has stepped up with 15 catches and 249 yards the last two weeks. “There’s still a lot he can really clean up and he knows that,” Fisher told reporters of Murray. “… But I’m going to tell you, he has a chance to be a very good player.” Freshman quarterback Deondre Francois, who has been sacked 26 times, completes 60 percent of his passes and owns only four interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Florida State DBs Derwin James (knee) and Trey Marshall (concussion) are being evaluated, but remain questionable.

2. Boston College RB Jon Hilliman rushed for 73 yards the last time the Eagles visited Tallahassee in the Seminoles 20-17 victory in 2014.

3. It’s the first Friday home game since 1957 for Florida State, which won 14-0 at Boston College on a Friday last season.

PREDICTION: Florida State 27, Boston College 13