The Boston College Eagles have been bowling every year since 1998. That’s an impressive streak for this age in college football. Or at least it seems that way, because this program has been rather overlooked lately. B.C. is essentially offensive tackle U. given the large number of large men they send to the NFL, and they’ve produced some great quarterbacks. However, other than the Doug Flutie Hail Mary in the ’80s, and the big win over their hated rival and fellow Catholics Notre Dame in the 1990s, what has B.C. Eagles football really done?
Quiet consistency, that’s what. And it looks like they’ll keep the bowl appearance streak going again in 2011. It’s “more than a feeling” that Boston will figure out their issues on offense this year and return to the postseason.
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2010 was: mediocre and blah. B.C. went 7-6, 4-4 to finish 8th in a very uninspiring ACC. Losing to Nevada in their bowl game. The Eagles finished first in the nation in run offense; 13th overall and 19th in scoring. And since they had a .500 record in a a weak conference, you know what that means- yes their offense was broke. But at least they were balanced: they couldn’t run or pass, finishing 97th in passing, 90th in rushing, 109th in total yards and scoring. However, both their punter and kicker were quite stellar.
BMOCs: QB Chase Rettig is ready to take a step forward this year. He may not be the next Matt Ryan, but he could be Glenn Foley- or better. RBs Montel Harris and Andre Williams will bring balance to the backfield. CB Albert Louis-Jean is shipping up to Boston! Whoah- ohhh-oohhh, and enrolled early.The highly rated recruit will step into a stellar secondary and be a significant contributor. But the best player on the team is no doubt MLB Luke Kuechly, who could take home the Butkus Award and the new record for NCAA career tackles by the time 2011 is all over.
2011 will be fruitful if: the offense makes signinficant strides from last year. Even incremental improvements will make a difference as this is the best assortment if weapons Frank Spaziani has had at his disposal at Boston College, and the defense should be stout once again.
2011 will be awful if: The inexperienced OL (they must replace three starters, including NFL 1st rounder Anthony Castonzo) fails to open up running lanes, and Rettig and his WRs can’t connect when they throw the ball. That’s the key right there. Fill the airspace over Logan International Airport with footballs (yes, I know Chestnut Hill is actually nowhere near the airport, but you get the idea of the metaphor) and everything else will fall into place.
Bottom Line: In the ACC, anyone can go 6-6. Because the conference is (with the exception of Florida State and Miami, maybe NC St.) mostly a crapfest. (But hey, at least it’s not as bad as the Big East). For B.C. it’ll be all about going 8-4 or better, which seems somewhat doable.
BC Rankings: #45 Athlon, #50 Lindyโs, #47 Phil Steele
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Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. Heโs also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports You can follow him on Twitter
