Boston College hopes to sneak back into rankings with win over Michigan State

Michigan State (3-0) at Boston College (2-1), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ACCN)

Series record: Boston College leads 4-1-1.

BetMGM College Football Odds: Boston College by 6 1/2

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Boston College made a brief appearance at No. 24 in The Associated Press Top 25 after beating 10th-ranked Florida State in the opener and following it with a win over FCS Duquesne. But a loss to loss to Missouri, now ranked seventh, dropped the Eagles out of the rankings. With a win over unbeaten Michigan State, they could return. The Spartans would like to protect their unbeaten record heading into a matchup with No. 3 Ohio State on Sept. 28.

KEY MATCHUP

The Boston College running game has been the key for the Eagles. Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward has 153 yards through three games, and the Eagles are averaging 205 yards per game on the ground and 5 yards per carry. The Spartan defense is 23rd in FBS in rushing defense, allowing 78 yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michigan State: WR Nick Marsh has 11 catches for 232 yards, an average of 77 yards per game that is third in the FBS among freshmen. He caught eight passes for 194 yards against Maryland on Sept. 7 – the 10th-highest total in school history.

Boston College: QB Thomas Castellanos has three multi-touchdown games, including a career-high four in just one half against Duquesne on Sept. 7. He had three TDs – two passing and one running – against Florida State.

FACTS & FIGURES

MSU is looking to open the season 4-0 for the first time since 2021. Head coach Jonathan Smith also started 3-0 in the last two years at Oregon State. … The Spartans are coming off a 40-0 win over Prairie View A&M, their first shutout since 2022. … BC is playing the 11th annual Red Bandanna Game in the memory of Welles Crowther, who died while leading people to safety in the South Tower of the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 attacks. The Eagles are 4-5 in the special event. … In the previous meeting between the teams, Matt Ryan’s Eagles beat Brian Hoyer’s Spartans 24-21 in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl. … Castellanos is fourth nationally with nine passing touchdowns. … DE Donovan Ezeiruaku is 12th in FBS with three sacks. … BC Is 40-48-2 all-time against current Big Ten members and 9-18 against teams that were in the Big Ten when they played.

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