Colleges

FSU scouting report

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 3, 2007

Florida State (5-3, 2-3 ACC) at No. 2 Boston College (8-0, 4-0), 8

The Eagles are coming off a huge, dramatic win at Virginia Tech (scoring 14 points in the final 2:11 to win 14-10). First-year coach Jeff Jagodzinski said it revealed his "kids play hard and they keep playing until the end." That's why BC is off to its best start since 1942 and is in contention for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series national title game. Matt Ryan (2,433 yards, 19 touchdowns, eight interceptions) has emerged as the favorite for the Heisman Trophy and could be the top pick in the NFL draft. Said FSU offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher, who had last year's No. 1 pick in former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell: "He's a guy who if he's got the ball in his hand, they've got a chance to win. They're never out of it. He's that bell cow." His supporting cast isn't too shabby, either. It includes running backs Andre Callender (636 yards, eight touchdowns) and L.V. Whitworth (300 yards, three touchdowns) and five players with at least 28 receptions, led by Brandon Robinson's 35 for 488 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, the Eagles are second nationally against the run (55.2 yards per game) and tops in interceptions (18), led by safety Jamie Silva's five.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 20:04:30]