Florida State vs. Boston College Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jordan Travis Lead FSU to 3-0 Start?

Florida State vs. Boston College Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jordan Travis Lead FSU to 3-0 Start?

Week 3 gives us an intriguing ACC matchup between the red-hot Florida State Seminoles against the Boston College Eagles. Boston College hosts after squeaking out a win against Holy Cross during a rain-delayed game in Week 2. A narrow 27-24 loss to Northern Illinois at home brought early adversity, but Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis is set to unleash complete chaos on the Eagles' defense.

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is now in his fourth year with the Seminoles, turning them around at a steady rate, going from 3-6 in 2020, to 10-3 last year with a Bowl win. Now, sitting 2-0, including a lopsided rout of LSU in Week 1, Norvell has the 'Noles rolling into a favorable Week 3 matchup for their first divisional road game of the season.

Boston College is severely outmatched from a personnel standpoint in this game, which is why oddsmakers are giving the Eagles 27.5 points on the spread, making them significant home underdogs against an opponent that looks primed for its first College Football Playoff appearance since 2014.

NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay returns with his prediction and pick for this Week 3 ACC showdown from Boston, Massachusetts.

Florida State vs. Boston College Start Time, Where To Watch, Odds

• Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
• Game Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: ABC

Click here for the latest Boston College vs. Florida State odds

Florida State vs. Boston College Injury Report

FLORIDA STATE

Questionable: N/A

Out: N/A

BOSTON COLLEGE

Questionable: RB Alex Broome (Undisclosed)

Out: N/A

Florida State vs. Boston College Prediction

Since 2017, this matchup has been dominated by Florida State. It's a blue-chip program that went through several years of disappointment, but now, with Travis and Norvell leading the way, the Seminoles have regained momentum and roster plenty of talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Despite the lopsided state of affairs, previous wins haven't been by much, as the Seminoles beat the Eagles 26-23 in 2021 and 38-31 in 2019, with both games being played in Boston. Travis, Florida State's senior quarterback, was active during the 2021 win on the road, which was his first year as a starter in Norvell's offense. In 2022, down in Tallahassee, Travis didn't do as much as expected, handing the ball off quite a bit, while throwing for over 300 yards and one touchdown.

Boston College's defense ranked 100th out of 131 FBS programs in 2022 under head coach Jeff Hadley, who has recorded more losses than wins since taking over in 2020. The offense was even worse than 100th in 2022, ranking 122nd in points per game, averaging under 18 points. The good news for BC is that they now have a new quarterback, Thomas Castellanos, who transferred from UCF this offseason. He's recorded four passing touchdowns and one interception, with a 136.6 passer rating. It also helps that Castellanos is mobile, recording 5.4 YPC and a touchdown as a ball carrier.

The spread opened at -28 and has crept down a half point to -27.5 for Florida State. We've seen Boston College compete with the Seminoles in past years at home, even with Jordan Travis as the signal-caller, but there's little confidence that the Eagles can replicate this feat against this 2023 Florida State team. That said, 27.5 points is a lot to lay, even with a red-hot favorite that has mauled its opponents with a potent, fast offense.

Oddsmakers have the current point total set to 56.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook, which has hit in two of the last three head-to-head matchups between these ACC opponents. Florida State could score 57 points by themselves, making it my favorite bet to place in this game.

Florida State vs. Boston College Pick

• Pick: Over 56.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

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