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**TheGame** · 11-11-2016, 08:01 AM

Re: NCAAF Betting Info 11/11

Boston College at FSU
By Brian Edwards

Florida State isn’t in the mix for an ACC Championship or a berth in the College Football Playoff, but it certainly wants to finish strong in what has been a disappointing campaign to date. The Seminoles will look to avoid a fourth loss when they host Boston College on Friday night at Doak Campbell Stadium.

As of Wednesday night, most betting shops had FSU installed as a 21-point favorite with a total of 48.5 points. Gamblers could take the Eagles on the money line for a sweet +850 payout (risk $100 to win $850).

FSU (6-3 straight up, 4-4 against the spread) has limped to a 2-2 SU record and a 1-2 ATS mark at home this year. This is just the second time the Seminoles have lost twice at home in the same season since Jimbo Fisher took over in 2010. They saw a 22-game home winning streak snapped in Week 5 when North Carolina came to Tallahassee and emerged with a 37-35 win thanks to a walk-off field goal from 54 yards out.

Since then, Fisher’s seventh team at FSU has once again gone down at home, where Clemson captured a 37-34 victory two weeks ago. Despite the setback, FSU took the cash as a 4.5-point home underdog. Dalvin Cook enjoyed a monster night against the Tigers, rushing for 169 yards and four touchdowns on just 19 attempts.

Cook’s 70-yard TD scamper put his team in front 28-20 going into the final stanza. However, Clemson answered with an early fourth-quarter TD to trim the deficit to two, and then it took a 29-28 advantage on a 46-yard Greg Huegel field goal with 5:25 remaining. Cook’s eight-yard TD run with 3:23 left staked FSU to a 34-29 lead after the two-point conversion failed.

But the defense couldn’t close the deal. Deshaun Watson found Jordan Leggett with a 34-yard scoring strike at the 2:06 mark and the Clemson defense secured the victory with a subsequent stop.

In bounce-back mode last week at North Carolina State, FSU trailed for most of the game but was able to pull out a 24-20 victory. The Wolfpack covered the number as a 6.5-point home ‘dog, while the 44 combined points stayed ‘under’ the 58-point tally.

Cook was limited to 65 rushing yards and one TD on 18 carries, but freshman QB Deondre Francois came though in the clutch. Francois, who completed 22-of-39 passes for 330 yards and one TD without an interception, found Travis Rudolph for a 19-yard TD pass with 3:09 left to lift his team to victory. Nyqwan Murray had nine receptions for 153 yards, but the ‘Noles were fortunate to win after losing the yardage battle by a 463-393 margin.

Cook has rushed for 1,134 yards to move into second place on the school’s all-time rushing list behind only Warrick Dunn. Cook needs only 127 rushing yards to surpass Dunn’s total of 3,959 yards. He has rushed for 12 TDs while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Cook also has 25 receptions for 388 yards and one TD.

Francois has established himself as the QB of the present and future. He has connected on 60.0 percent of his passes for 2,492 yards with a 12/4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Francois has also rushed for three TDs.

His favorite target is Rudolph, who has 38 catches for 599 yards and four TDs. Jesus ‘Bobo’ Wilson is FSU’s second-leading receiver with 30 grabs for 390 yards and one TD, but the senior wideout was injured in a 17-6 home win over Wake Forest on Oct. 15. The foot injury is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.

FSU owns a 23-18-1 spread record in 42 games as a home favorite on Fisher’s watch. Meanwhile, Boston College has compiled a 7-3-1 ATS mark in 11 games as a road underdog during Steve Addazio’s four-year tenure.

FSU is fielding its worst defense since 2009 when it allowed 30.0 points per game in Bobby Bowden’s last year at the helm. Through nine games, the Seminoles are ranked No. 73 in the nation in scoring defense (28.8 PPG). They are No. 95 out of 128 FBS teams in pass defense.

The secondary has greatly missed the presence of sophomore safety Derwin James, who tore his meniscus in Week 2 and hasn’t played since then. James had already recorded 11 tackles and one interception before going down. Also, starting senior safety Nate Andrews has been out since early October due to pectoral injury. Andrews had produced 18 tackles and one interception through four games.

The FSU defense is led by senior DE DeMarcus Walker, who has 51 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three QB hurries, one blocked kick and two passes broken up.

Boston College (4-5 SU, 3-5-1 ATS) went bowling in its first two seasons under Addazio, only to have all sorts of QB injuries and limp to a 3-9 record in 2015. BC lost five one-possession games by 14 combined points last year, wasting a season in which its defense held foes to a meager 15.3 PPG.

The defense hasn’t been as stout this year, but the stop unit has still played well. The Eagles are ranked No. 14 in the country in total defense and eighth against the run, but they remain horrendous on the other side of the ball. They are No. 126 of 128 FBS teams in total offense and No. 122 in scoring (19.4 PPG).

BC has wins at UMass (26-7), vs. Wagner (42-10), vs. Buffalo (35-3) and at N.C. State (21-14). The Eagles were destroyed at Virginia Tech (49-0), vs. Clemson (56-10) and vs. Louisville last weekend (52-7). They’ve also dropped a pair of one-possession games vs. Georgia Tech (17-14 in Dublin, Ireland) and vs. Syracuse (28-20).

U of L raced out to a 38-0 halftime lead at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill last Saturday. The Cardinals easily took the money as 24.5-point road ‘chalk,’ while the 59 combined points jumped ‘over’ the 52-point tally on Lamar Jackson’s third rushing TD with 1:57 remaining in the third quarter.

Jackson produced video-game numbers against the BC defense. The Heisman Trophy favorite threw for 231 yards and four TDs. Jackson also had 185 rushing yards on only 15 totes.

BC senior QB Patrick Towles, a grad transfer from Kentucky, completed 13-of-21 passes for 147 yards with one TD and one interception. For the season, Towles has completed just 51.0 percent of his passes for 1,293 yards with an 8/6 TD-INT ratio. He has rushed for 250 yards and four TDs.

The ground game has been basically non-existent for the Eagles. Jon Hilliman has rushed for a team-best 432 yards and five TDs, but he’s averaging a pedestrian 3.3 YPC. His 102-yard effort in the opener against Georgia Tech has been the lone time he’s surpassed 74 rushing yards versus an ACC foe.

Since the ‘over’ cashed in its first three games, FSU has seen the ‘under’ hit at a 4-1 clip in its last five contests. The ‘under’ is 2-1 for the ‘Noles in their three lined home outings. They have seen their games average combined scores of 62.3 PPG.

The ‘under’ is 6-3 overall for BC, 2-1 in its three true road assignments. The Eagles have seen their games average combined scores of 45.7 PPG.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- FSU true freshman DE Brian Burns has had an excellent debut season, but he’s suspended for the first half against BC due to a targeting penalty in the second half of last week’s win in Raleigh. Burns has recorded 12 tackles, five TFL’s, four sacks, one forced fumble and one QB hurry.

-- Georgia Tech has suspended RB Dedrick Mills for the next two games. Mills has rushed for 578 yards and 11 TDs this year. He is eligible to return for the regular-season finale at Georgia.

-- Sportsbooks have updated its Games of the Year spreads. These contests include Louisville -10.5 at Houston, Stanford -6.5 at California, Texas -3 vs. TCU, Washington -7.5 at Washington St., FSU -7 vs. Florida, Ohio St. -4.5 vs. Michigan, Alabama -14 vs. Auburn, USC -17 vs. Notre Dame, Oklahoma -11 vs. Oklahoma State and Navy -7 vs. Army.

-- Alabama’s stock apparently took a hit in its 10-0 win over LSU. I say that because the oddsmakers have adjusted their lines for potential championship matchups. The Crimson Tide was a double-digit ‘chalk’ to every team except Michigan two weeks ago. At that time, Alabama was a 9.5-point ‘chalk’ vs. the Wolverines. Now the Tide is favored by 7.5 vs. Ohio State, 10 vs. Michigan, 8 vs. Clemson, 10 vs. Washington and 7.5 vs. Louisville.

-- Dabo Swinney announced Wednesday that four underclassmen are going pro after this year and will get to participate in Senior Day against South Carolina at Death Valley on Nov. 26. Those players include Watson, Wayne Gallman, Mike Williams and Artavis Scott.

-- Though Middle Tennessee is holding out hope that he can return for a bowl game, sophomore quarterback Brent Stockstill will miss at least the last three regular-season games after breaking his collarbone in a 45-25 home loss UTSA in Week 10. Stockstill, the C-USA Freshman of the Year and a third-team All C-USA selection as a freshman in 2015, threw for 2,801 yards with a 27/5 TD-INT ratio in the Blue Raiders’ first nine games. The head coach’s son has a 57/14 TD-INT ratio in his first two seasons.

**TheGame** · 11-11-2016, 08:02 AM

Re: NCAAF Betting Info 11/11

Preview:Boston College Eagles (4-5) at Florida State Seminoles (6-3)

Date: November 11, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It's going to be a historic night at Doak Campbell Stadium on Friday when Florida State and Boston College face off.

Just how historic remains to be seen.

For starters, the Seminoles, who moved up four spots to No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night, will be hosting a Friday game in Tallahassee for only the second time -- and the first since 1957.

But the history that Seminole fans are no doubt hoping to witness -- and Eagles fans no doubt hoping their team doesn't become a footnote to -- is Dalvin Cook's continued quest of Florida State's all-time rushing record.

With 3,833 yards through three seasons, the junior from Miami is now 127 yards away from breaking the 20-year-old record held by running back Warrick Dunn. And, ironically, Cook averages 126 per game.

So, yeah ... stay tuned.

And if you're a member of Boston College's defense, better stay alert.

"Dalvin Cook I think is one of the better running backs in the country," Eagles coach Steve Addazio said Monday. "We obviously know Dalvin well. He has 196 carries, for 1,134 yards, 5.8 average, 12 touchdowns, 25 catches. He's their marquee guy. This will be a great challenge for us. I'm looking forward to this week."

Cook hasn't run wild on Boston College (4-5, 1-4 ACC) during his three years at Florida State (6-3, 3-3) like he has against other teams. Last year, during the Seminoles' 14-0 shutout win in Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- also on a Friday night -- the Eagles' then-No. 1 ranked defense held Cook to a season-low 54 yards. And In 2014, Boston College limited Cook to 76 yards during the Seminoles' 20-17 victory.

So, yes, Cook -- who has rushed for 100-plus yards in five of his last six games -- may very well get the coveted school rushing record Friday night.

But, no, Boston College is not afraid of the Heisman Trophy candidate one bit.

"They are going to play you tough and physical, every week, even when they have been defeated," said Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher, who is 6-0 against Boston College since taking over in 2010. "Their up-front people play great and they play tremendous leverage. Set edges on the defense, play inside their hands real well. Technique very physical. Big, strong, physical guys. Play the box real well. Play a lot of man with big, long, lanky secondary people. Tackle very well in space. Hit you very well. (Addazio) does a very good job with them."

Fisher, too, has done a good job in his seventh year at the helm -- but by his own lofty standards he set for the program, he would undoubtedly consider those efforts not great.

In the last three seasons, Florida State's meeting with Boston College was to keep the Seminoles' ACC Championship hopes alive. But with three losses -- all to ACC opponents -- those titles hopes are well out the window now. A porous defense -- ranked 73rd in total defense out of 128 FBS programs -- is mostly to blame for the team's struggles, resembling nothing like that of the 2013 unit which sent all 11 starters to the NFL.

In fact, in two of Florida State's three losses, the Seminoles had a lead with four minute or less to play and the defense simply could not hold it.

"Discipline (is how we can improve)," Fisher said of his team's defensive struggles. "I mean, just keep staying on guys and coaching the heck out of them, just like we do in practice."

The good news for the Seminoles -- 21-point favorites against the Eagles -- is that their defense has looked good against mediocre offensive teams. And Boston College (ranked 126th in the nation in total offense) is certainly that. Florida State held Miami to its lowest rushing total of the season in Week 6 and the defense didn't allow a touchdown against Wake Forest (for the third straight season) a week later.

But two weeks ago, the defense regressed, allowing 37 points at home against Clemson, then putting its offense in a late hole last week against N.C. State before the Seminoles came back to win 24-20.

Boston College, meanwhile, is coming off a 52-7 home shellacking by No. 6 Louisville -- a loss not too dissimilar from Florida State's 63-20 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals earlier this year.

Addazio said that he believes those types of results are indicative not of Boston College or Florida State going through down years, but rather that ACC 2.0 is suddenly really, really good.

"I mean, we're playing -- we have elite teams in this conference," said Addazio, who's 21-26 in his fifth season with the Eagles. "I think more in our conference than in some of the other conferences. Every conference has got an elite team, but we have a series of them (this year)."

**TheGame** · 11-11-2016, 08:02 AM

Re: NCAAF Betting Info 11/11

NCAAF Game of the Day: Boston College at Florida State

Boston College at No.18 Florida State (-21, 48.5)

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 HISTORY: The Seminoles opened the week as 21-point home favorites and that number hasn’t moved all week. The total hit the board at 48.5 and has held steady.

INJURY REPORT:

Boston College - LB Connor Strachan (questionable, shoulder)

Florida State - DB Trey Marshall (questionable, concussion), DT Adam Torres (questionable, foot), OL Corey Martinez (questionable, knee), DT Darvin Taylor II (questionable, shoulder), RB Johnathan Vickers (questionable, concussion), OL Derrick Kelly (questionable, undisclosed), DE Brian Burns (questionable, suspension), TE Jalen Wilkerson (questionable, concussion), DB Derwin James (out for season, knee), WR Jesus Wilson (out for season, foot)

WEATHER REPORT: It looks like a perfect night for football in Tallahassee. The forecast is calling for clear skies, negligible wind and temperatures at kick off in the mid 60’s.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (4-5 SU, 3-5-1 ATS, 3-6 O/U): 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 SU, 4-4 ATS, 4-4 OU): 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.

TRENDS:

Eagles are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Eagles are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
Seminoles are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 9-1 in Seminoles last 10 games in November.
Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Florida State.

CONSENSUS: The public is favouring the double digit home favorite at a rate of 67 percent and the over is getting more action a rate of 62 percent.

**TheGame** · 11-11-2016, 08:02 AM

Re: NCAAF Betting Info 11/11

NCAAF

Friday’s game

Four of last five Florida State games were decided by 4 or less points; Seminoles are 2-4 vs spread as a favorite this year, 0-2 at home- they’re 6-10-1 in last 17 games as a home favorite, and lost SU in two of last three home games, to UNC/Clemson. FSU won its last six games vs Boston College (3-3 vs spread), winning last three by 14-3-14 points. Eagles lost three of last four games, losing 52-7 to Louisville (38-0 at half), 56-10 to Clemson (21-3 at half). BC is 6-1-1 in is last eight games as a road underdog, 1-1 this year- they’re 12-10-1 as an underdog under Addazio. ACC home favorites are 10-13 vs spread.

**TheGame** · 11-11-2016, 08:03 AM

Re: NCAAF Betting Info 11/11

Tech Trends - Week 11
By Bruce Marshall

Friday, Nov. 11

BOSTON COLLEGE at FLORIDA STATE... Eagles 6-1-1 as visiting dog since 2014 in Addazio’s best role with BC. Jimbo 0-3 as Doak Campbell chalk this season, 6-11 in role since 2014.

BC, based on team trends.

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NCAAF Betting Info 11/11

NCAAF Betting Info 11/11

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