Florida State vs. Boston College: Eagles on Offense

Sep 14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Chase Rettig (11) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This Saturday, the Florida State Seminoles will take a trip up to Chestnut Hill, Ma. to face jump back into their ACC schedule with a contest against the Boston College Eagles. The game will begin at 3:30 PM ET and will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN2.

In this game, the vaunted FSU defense will be facing off against one of the most ineffective offenses that they’ve seen yet. Boston College ranks 114 in total offense throughout the entire FBS, while averaging just a shade over 303 yards per game.

But don’t let those stats fool you. While they may not be all that flashy through the beginning of their season, this BC team has the pieces on this offensive unit to possibly give the somewhat inexperienced Florida State defense some fits through the afternoon.

As with many successful offenses throughout football, the Eagles have a trio of skilled players that collectively have the ability to cause those fits if they just happen to be clicking on all cylinders.

This starts with QB Chase Rettig. The senior is experienced and is quickly learning how to manage this offense along the way. So far, Rettig has amassed 491 yards through the air while completing over 60% of his passes. He’s also added four touchdowns and one interception. In this game, first-year head coach Steve Addazio is going to rely heavily on Rettig keeping the mistakes to a minimum and trying his best to use his experience to the team’s advantage against an FSU defense still searching to find its niche personnel wise.

While Rettig managing the offense is important, RB Andre Williams is just as important. Establishing the running game will be crucial for BC on Saturday and, in all honesty, there’s not a lot better to do that with than Williams. The senior is currently 15th in the nation rushing, averaging just over 118 yards per game. You’ll hear a lot this week from around the media world about how Boston College will have to keep that potent FSU offense off the field to have a chance at any sort of success. A consistent game from the top rusher in the ACC is the best way to go about that.

And finally, to round out the trio, there’s the ever-talented WR Alex Amidon. Also a senior, he’s undoubtedly Rettig’s favorite target. The 2012 First Team All-ACC wideout is already having himself a big year. He’s hauled in 20 passes for 262 yards so far with two scores. He runs crisp, disciplined routes and will catch nearly everything you throw his way. Should he find himself lined up across from young FSU corner Jalen Ramsey at any point in this game, Amidon could be licking his chops at the prospects of using his experience to his advantage and making a play.

But, as they say with anything in football, success starts up front and Boston College has one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country. This unit totals 82 career starts and has allowed Rettig to be sacked only four times through three games. The Florida State defensive line will no doubt be a challenge, but I’m sure that this unit can hold their own for as long as they can.

As I said, regardless of success–or lack thereof–so far in 2013, this BC offense has the pieces in place to make something happen at any point when they’re gelling. We’ll see on Saturday how the atmosphere being at home against a Top-10 team effects this group.

If it effects them positively, Florida State could have some questions to answer about their defense, win or lose.