Sources: No. 3 Florida St. down 3 starters vs. BC

Pete Thamel, ESPNSep 16, 2023, 08:53 AM ET

Third-ranked Florida State will be without three starters against Boston College on Saturday, sources told ESPN.

The Seminoles will play without two starters on the offensive line, as left tackle Robert Scott Jr. and center Maurice Smith are both expected to miss their second consecutive game.

Safety Akeem Dent is also out after getting injured against Southern Miss last week. He has started 32 career games for the Seminoles.

Florida State enters as a heavy favorite but will also be battling the elements. Heavy winds and rain are expected in Chestnut Hill from Hurricane Lee’s trip through the area. That could drastically alter the game plan for the Seminoles, who have the country’s No. 4 scoring offense.

Florida State entered the season with more than 200 career starts among its offensive linemen, giving the Seminoles one of the deepest and most experienced units in the country. That will be tested again Saturday.

Scott was injured against LSU in the opener and was replaced by Bless Harris, who would make his third start for the Seminoles. Darius Washington is expected to start again for Smith at center, and he is experienced enough that he is in his fifth season making starts on FSU’s offensive line. This would mark his third career start at center.

A Florida State victory Saturday would set up a pivotal showdown at Clemson next weekend. Florida State hasn’t beaten Clemson in the past seven tries.