The long opening weekend of the 2024 college football season comes to an end in the Sunshine State on Labor Day, when No. 10 Florida State returns home needing a win against Boston College to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole on Monday night.

The Seminoles return to the U.S. after coming from three points behind in their Week 0 opener against unranked Georgia Tech in Dublin, and while a loss in the expanded playoff era doesn’t end their postseason hopes, it doesn’t help them either.

Florida State will almost certainly drop from the No. 10 ranking because of this loss, regardless of what happens against the Eagles. It’s the first of seven conference games in which the team must regain its position as the perceived favorite to win the ACC championship.

Boston College will be a challenge, however, thanks to the play of quarterback Thomas Castellanos, a dual-threat threat who now plays under the tutelage of NFL veteran and new Eagles head coach Bill O’Brien and led the team to a close 2-point loss to the Seminoles at home last year.

What to expect from this matchup: Here’s what to look for when Florida State hosts Boston College on Monday night in the final game of Week 1.

How to watch

When: Monday, September 2nd
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
TV: ESPN Network

Game odds for Florida State vs. Boston College

Lines provided courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Florida State: -16.5 (-105)
Boston College: +16.5 (-115)

FSU wins: -720
BC to win: +500

Over 51.5 points (-105)
Below 51.5 points (-115)

FPI Tips: FSU 82.4% | BC 17.6%

What you should pay attention to

1. BC’s quarterback. Castellanos threw for 305 yards and ran for another 95 yards against FSU’s stellar defense last year, scoring 2 total touchdowns. One major area the Seminoles need to make adjustments in is how they contain a mobile quarterback after struggling in the Week 0 game against Haynes King.

2. Grind and crush. DJ Uiagalelei was impressive on his first and fourth quarter drives last week, but didn’t test the deeper passing lanes as often as expected, causing his offense to stagnate.

BC’s back seven will give him some chances, but in the meantime, expect the Noles to use their experienced line and talented running backs to chase down a run-stopping Eagles who finished 13th in the ACC a year ago but now return eight starters.

3. It’s not just the QB. All eyes are on Castellanos to lead the Eagles’ offense, but the signal caller will be supported up front by three returning linemen: tailback Kye Robichaux, transfer back and ex-Nole Treshaun Ward and receiver Lewis Bond.

All of them are deceptively agile in space, can gain yards after contact, and can stretch the Seminoles’ coverage to give the quarterback more room to maneuver, especially in third-and-short situations where his mobility can help extend attacks and keep the defense on the field.

Prediction for Florida State vs. Boston College

Granted, Florida State’s defense isn’t as dominant as it was last season, but it’s still too good to look like it did in the opener.

The team has the athleticism and discipline needed to not only contain the Eagles’ speedy quarterback, but also the other skilled players that BC can push to the outside, limiting them to moderate gains and inside.

Castellanos will frustrate the Seminoles’ offensive lineup sufficiently early on and likely score a touchdown, but Florida State still has the personnel to keep him in check over time, plus the running game to move the chains and create opportunities for Uiagalelei to work further up the field.

College Football HQ’s selection…

More … Florida State vs. BC score prediction by an expert football model

The game odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.

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