BC vs. FSU: Red Bandanna Game Preview & Prediction

It’s the annual Red Bandanna Game this week, with Florida State coming to town on what should be a brisk fall afternoon.

Last time FSU traveled up to Chestnut Hill also happened to be the annual RBG. Oh, and BC TROUNCED those fools. You can’t not tell me that this was the real reason why Jimbo quit, and that after this game he realized he couldn’t handle the ACC. Anyways, we really need revenge from last year’s debacle. The memory still haunts me.

This time it’ll be Odell Haggins at the helm for FSU, after the dismissal of Willie Taggart following a pitiful loss to Miami last week. That’s three different coaches in as many games against the Seminoles that the Eagles have gone up against. Tough timing for us this time around, as these types of moves tend to galvanize teams, especially when they’re now playing for a beloved, longtime coach.

Offensively, first and foremost it’s about Cam Akers. The junior running back leads the ACC with 16 total touchdowns and is third with 983 yards. He’s obviously no AJ, and he’s no David Bailey, but he totes the ball pretty well. For all our defensive woes though, BC has been fairly good at stopping rushers at the line of scrimmage statistically speaking. It’s the explosive plays that kill. Thus, enemy number one is wide receiver Tamorrion Terry. You may remember him from such football games as the guy who toasted a young Brandon Sebastian in Tallahassee to crush our eight-win hopes and dreams. This will surely be the match-up to watch. Terry has 646 yards and six touchdowns on the season, but Sebastian will surely be out for vengeance.

The ‘Noles still have a pretty abysmal offensive line unlike our own. Unfortunately, BC hasn’t so much as sniffed opposing quarterbacks. It’s unclear at this point who will start at quarterback for the Seminoles, between either James Blackman or Wisconsin grad transfer Alex Hornibrook. Hornibrook has started the past few games, but both have seen plenty of action this season and seen the field in the same games.

Defensively, the Seminoles are nothing special. They’re ranked 57th overall per SP+ (58th on offense). For context, BC is 25th on offense and 100th on defense. The defensive line will be without its standout tackle Marvin Wilson for the rest of the season after sustaining a head injury. Wilson leads the team with five sacks and is a team captain. This bodes well for the Buffalo Boys.

Quick plug, here’s a little Q&A we did on our sister site, Tomahawk Nation, ahead of this weekend’s game as well.

I’ll reiterate again that I wish this game was played remotely near September 11th. This is the first time it won’t be a late night game either which is unfortunate, but shouldn’t take away from anything. It’s the best tradition we have, and we ought to make everything about it perfect. This is the first game since the passing of Jefferson Crowther, Welles’ father, earlier this year. I’m sure Mrs. Crowther will be accompanied by some other family members, but let’s cheer our hearts out when they take the field!

The Oddsmakers:

Spread: BC -2.5

Straight: BC -135 / FCU +115

Over/Under: 63.5

Red Bandanas in Alumni: o/u a million LFG

Staff Predictions:

Grant: 34 BC - 31 FSU

Niraj: 30 BC - 35 FSU

BC is sitting at 5-4, but FSU is still two games away from bowl eligibility. Their two remaining games are against Alabama State and Florida. Basically, they need this, dare I say more than us. I think they’ll both do well, but AJ and David Bailey carried a big load last week, so I can’t expect absurd outputs again.

Let’s get this bread.