Cook, FSU ready for test at BC Friday night

TALLAHASSEE — During Florida State’s 28-1 run in the past two season, every game on the schedule was considered winnable.

But while many matchups this year are no different, No. 9 Florida State has some that are lose-able. More than one, in fact.

And its ACC opener against Boston College on the road on Friday night is the first.

“We went through some adversity (last week against South Florida), and we’ll need to go on the road playing a very, very good Boston College team, giving up 1 1/2 points a game, less than 50 yards a game,” said Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher.

“They’re scoring on offense. They’re doing the same things they do on offense and doing the same things they do on defense. They’re really well coached. It will be a great game on Friday night. We’ll have to really play well.”

For one half last week against the Bulls, the Seminoles (2-0) played really well — scoring on every offensive drive in the second half to turn a 7-7 game at halftime into a 34-14 rout — but it’s the first half of that game that Fisher and his team will focus during the short week of practice.

“We need to start better on offense … just a few things out of whack,” Fisher said.

“We had (two) clipping calls right off the bat, and (the penalty and ejection) on (defensive back) Lamarcus Brutus. (Quarterback) Everett Golson looked like two different people … and (punter) Cason Beatty had two bad kicks.

“But overall, (we) faced the adversity, like the way our kids responded in the second half.”

That kind of sloppiness won’t cut it against the Eagles, who barely lost to the Seminoles last season, falling 20-17 in Tallahassee. Boston College (2-0) is coming into the game following a win — and what a performance it was on both sides of the ball by the Eagles.

B.C. rolled 76-0 last week against Howard — scoring the second-most points in school history — and held the Bison to 11 total yards on offense.

Yes, 11.

That latter figure represented the least amount of yards any defense in the FBS has held an opponent to in 20 years, and the Eagles’ defense comes into the game allowing an average of just 51 yards. Even though those numbers come against two FCS programs, they are the kind of stats Fisher has made sure to point out to his team this week.

“It’s going to be a very tough game. They’re going to be well prepared. They run the ball, very physical,” Fisher said of Boston College, which is averaging 275 yards a game on the ground.

“They’re big, strong, much more athletic than people think. Cover well in man coverage. Play a lot of two, mix up coverages. (They) pressure the quarterback and great on special teams.

“They do it all. It will be a great ballgame. They always play us very well.”

The Seminoles have won the last six meetings against the Eagles — who are 1-6 all-time against the Seminoles since joining the ACC in 2005 — and they’ll also running back Dalvin Cook, who was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week following his performance against South Florida.

Cook rushed for 266 yards and three touchdowns against the Bulls — and right into the Florida State record books. His final output was the second-best single rushing game in school history, and he now ranks second in the country in rushing yards through two games.

“It’s great to have him on our side,” Florida State wideout Jesus Wilson said. “I know once he gets to the second level and in the open field there is no chance he is not going to score.”

Boston College’s lone win against Florida State came in 2008 when the Seminoles were ranked No. 20, but the Eagles are just 1-14 against Top 25 programs since.

But don’t tell that to Fisher, who seemed noticeably nervous when talking about this game this week.

“I’m sure they’ll have something (for us),” he said.

NOTES, QUOTES

PLAYERS TO WATCH

–QB Everett Golson might really need to perform well this week to continue his hold on the starting job. There has been a lot of good in Golson so far, but his first half against South Florida — 1-for-9 passing for 6 yards and two sacks — showed some of the bad and why he lost his job at Notre Dame at the end of last season. He rebounded in a big way in the second half, leading Florida State to scores on all five of its second-half drives and finishing 14-of-26 for 163 yards and one TD. But waiting in the wings is junior Sean Maguire, who was seen warming up on the sideline during the first half against South Florida after the Seminoles’ fourth punt. If Golson begins badly again this week, it will be interesting to see how short his starter’s leash is.

–Florida State’s offensive line paved the way for Dalvin Cook’s 266-yard performance last week, and coach Jimbo Fisher had one word this week to describe how confident he is in them right now: “Very.” After losing four starting offensive linemen to the NFL, the front group was the well-known project coming into 2015. But starters Roderick Johnson (LT), Kareem Are (LG), Corey Martinez (C), Wilson Bell (RG) and Brock Ruble (RT) are getting the job done so far. Florida State is averaging 275 rushing yards per game, ranked 17th in the nation. Fisher said his starting five, in his mind, is set. “In time, if we get some guys healthy (like Cole Minshew or Chad Mavety), it has a chance (to change). But right now, very happy,” he said.

–LB Reggie Northup is the team’s leading tackler (tied with fellow LB Jacob Pugh) with 10 tackles. He hasn’t been the overall top tackler in either of the team’s first two games, but just like last year when he led the Seminoles in that category, he’s been the most consistent. He had 122 tackles in 14 games last year, missing the bowl game with a knee injury. He became the first Florida State player to record more than 100 tackles in a single season since Buster Davis in 2006; if he crosses the century mark again this season, he’ll become the first Seminole defender to post back-to-back 100-plus-tackle seasons since Peter Boulware in 2002.