Written By: Brett Korpi
Bowl games are meaningless.
That is the “hot-take” that has been thrown around often this year leading up to the post-season schedule. There is reason behind it, 80 of the 128 FBS schools will play in 40 bowl games. That provides a bit of over saturation, to say the least.
One would think that the Quick Lane Bowl match-up of two middling teams, Boston College (6-6, 2-6 ACC) and Maryland (6-6, 3-6 B1G), would the epitome of that statement.
On the surface, it would look that way. The two schools combined to face eight ranked opponents and lost all eight of those games by a total of 389 to 51. However, if you look beyond the superficial layer of the match-up, you will find a game that is very meaningful for the two youthful programs.
For Boston College, a victory over Maryland will continue a streak of positivity during a two-year stretch that has been cloaked in negativity by both the fans and media covering the team. Just before victories over UConn and Wake Forest, to become bowl eligible, many were calling for head coach Steve Addazzio to be fired.
After an injury plagued 2015, in which the Eagles started five different quarterbacks and went 3-9 and winless in eight ACC games, Addazzio and his team were hoping to make progress and return to ACC relevance. Graduate-transfer Patrick Towles was brought in to bring a stable and experienced presence under center. Former quarterback Jeff Smith was moved to wide receiver to provide speed and explosiveness that the position was missing. The Eagles also returned most of a defense that was one of the best in the nation in 2015.
However, this season started with a last-minute 17-14 loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland. Many felt the defense was exposed as it gave up big plays in crunch time, and Addazzio’s play calling was called into question.
Those criticisms would be repeated after each of the other five losses. With blowouts at the hands of Virginia Tech, Clemson, Louisville and Florida State and a close loss to Syracuse, the feelings around the Heights were that something needed to change.
With bowl eligibility on the line against the Huskies and Demon Deacons, the Eagles showcased their potential on both sides of the ball. The offense showcased the versatility of Smith lining him at quarterback and wildcat to keep UConn off balanced, all while Towles had his best game of the season throwing for 183 yards and a touchdown while completing 14 of his 19 passes. The defense was dominant in their 30-0 shutout victory over their regional rivals.
The defensive dominance once again shined in their 17-14 win in Winston-Salem. Star defensive end Harold Landry had a career-high three sacks and seven total tackles. Leading an effort that held the Demon Deacons to just 287 yards and forced three turnovers.
The bowl-clinching victory was an emotional one for the players, who let everyone know after the game how they felt about their coach and teammates.
“Everybody tries to come at our coaching staff.” A passionate Landry exclaimed after the victory. “Everyone on this team in this program, we all love the coaches here, we wouldn’t want anyone else coaching us.”
In the Quick Lane Bowl, Towles will lead the offense for the final time. In his lone season for the Eagles, he has thrown for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns. While gaining 451 yards with his feet. He will be looking for to top receivers Smith and Michael Walker who have hauled in 3 touchdowns a piece. Tight end Tommy Sweeny is a big target in the red zone; he hauled in two game-winning touchdowns, against N.C. State and Wake Forest. They are supported in the backfield by John Hilliman and Davon Jones who combined for 824 yards and nine touchdowns while sharing the bulk of the carries. Myles Willis adds a speed threat averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
On defense, the Eagles are statistically one of the best units in the country, ranking 10th nationally giving up just 310 total yards per game. Landry is the star of the group having gained Walter Camp All-America second team honors. He leads the nation with seven forced fumbles, tied for tops in the country with 15 sacks, and is fourth with 20.5 tackles for loss. Linebacker Connor led the team with 70 total tackles and accumulated 10 tackles for loss and four fumble recoveries. He is joined in the middle with Matt Milano who added 55 tackles, 9.5 for loss and a pick six against UConn. Safety John Johnson is the leader in the secondary with 65 tackles and three interceptions.
Maryland shares similarities with the Eagles. They both had to scratch and claw to bowl eligibility, and they both played in two of the top divisions in college football, the Big Ten East, and ACC Atlantic. Against the elite competition, they each suffered multiple lopsided losses, and they went through trying 2015 seasons.
The Terrapins are led by first-year head coach DJ Durkin, who has led the program back to a bowl game after finishing 3-9 last season. He has done so with a youth movement, starting seven true freshmen.
On offense, they are led by Perry Hills, who under Durkin has had a stark turnaround in the efficiency department, throwing just three interceptions compared to 13 in 2015. Hills also led the Big Ten in completion percentage throwing for 66.7 percent. His top target is receiver D.J. Moore who has hauled in six touchdowns. The Terps have a homerun threat out of the backfield in Ty Johnson who is averaging 8.9 yards a carry and has 9 plays where he has gained 40 yards or more.
Defensively, Maryland, much like Boston College, struggled against ranked teams, but have had elite performances from members of each of their respected unit's. Defensive end Jesse Aniebonam led the way with 9 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Linebackers Shane Cockerille and Jermaine Carter, Jr., combined for 211 tackles the most for a tandem in the Big Ten.
The game will be the 12th all-time meeting between the two schools and the first since Maryland was in the ACC in 2013. The Eagles lead the series, 8-3, and have won the last three meetings. Boston College won the last game at Byrd Stadium, 29- 26, on Nov. 23, 2013. Maryland has not won in the series since a 24-21 victory at Alumni Stadium on Oct. 23, 2010.
Both schools will be looking for to end bowl losing streaks. Boston College has not won a bowl game since 2007, and Maryland since 2010.
When Addazzio and Durkin bring their programs to Detroit, they will be looking to continue progress and to re-build winning cultures, try telling them the game is meaningless.
The Quick Lane Bowl, between Boston College and the University of Maryland, will be played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Monday, December, 26th at 2:30 p.m. EST.
That is the “hot-take” that has been thrown around often this year leading up to the post-season schedule. There is reason behind it, 80 of the 128 FBS schools will play in 40 bowl games. That provides a bit of over saturation, to say the least.
One would think that the Quick Lane Bowl match-up of two middling teams, Boston College (6-6, 2-6 ACC) and Maryland (6-6, 3-6 B1G), would the epitome of that statement.
On the surface, it would look that way. The two schools combined to face eight ranked opponents and lost all eight of those games by a total of 389 to 51. However, if you look beyond the superficial layer of the match-up, you will find a game that is very meaningful for the two youthful programs.
For Boston College, a victory over Maryland will continue a streak of positivity during a two-year stretch that has been cloaked in negativity by both the fans and media covering the team. Just before victories over UConn and Wake Forest, to become bowl eligible, many were calling for head coach Steve Addazzio to be fired.
After an injury plagued 2015, in which the Eagles started five different quarterbacks and went 3-9 and winless in eight ACC games, Addazzio and his team were hoping to make progress and return to ACC relevance. Graduate-transfer Patrick Towles was brought in to bring a stable and experienced presence under center. Former quarterback Jeff Smith was moved to wide receiver to provide speed and explosiveness that the position was missing. The Eagles also returned most of a defense that was one of the best in the nation in 2015.
However, this season started with a last-minute 17-14 loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland. Many felt the defense was exposed as it gave up big plays in crunch time, and Addazzio’s play calling was called into question.
Those criticisms would be repeated after each of the other five losses. With blowouts at the hands of Virginia Tech, Clemson, Louisville and Florida State and a close loss to Syracuse, the feelings around the Heights were that something needed to change.
With bowl eligibility on the line against the Huskies and Demon Deacons, the Eagles showcased their potential on both sides of the ball. The offense showcased the versatility of Smith lining him at quarterback and wildcat to keep UConn off balanced, all while Towles had his best game of the season throwing for 183 yards and a touchdown while completing 14 of his 19 passes. The defense was dominant in their 30-0 shutout victory over their regional rivals.
The defensive dominance once again shined in their 17-14 win in Winston-Salem. Star defensive end Harold Landry had a career-high three sacks and seven total tackles. Leading an effort that held the Demon Deacons to just 287 yards and forced three turnovers.
The bowl-clinching victory was an emotional one for the players, who let everyone know after the game how they felt about their coach and teammates.
“Everybody tries to come at our coaching staff.” A passionate Landry exclaimed after the victory. “Everyone on this team in this program, we all love the coaches here, we wouldn’t want anyone else coaching us.”
In the Quick Lane Bowl, Towles will lead the offense for the final time. In his lone season for the Eagles, he has thrown for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns. While gaining 451 yards with his feet. He will be looking for to top receivers Smith and Michael Walker who have hauled in 3 touchdowns a piece. Tight end Tommy Sweeny is a big target in the red zone; he hauled in two game-winning touchdowns, against N.C. State and Wake Forest. They are supported in the backfield by John Hilliman and Davon Jones who combined for 824 yards and nine touchdowns while sharing the bulk of the carries. Myles Willis adds a speed threat averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
On defense, the Eagles are statistically one of the best units in the country, ranking 10th nationally giving up just 310 total yards per game. Landry is the star of the group having gained Walter Camp All-America second team honors. He leads the nation with seven forced fumbles, tied for tops in the country with 15 sacks, and is fourth with 20.5 tackles for loss. Linebacker Connor led the team with 70 total tackles and accumulated 10 tackles for loss and four fumble recoveries. He is joined in the middle with Matt Milano who added 55 tackles, 9.5 for loss and a pick six against UConn. Safety John Johnson is the leader in the secondary with 65 tackles and three interceptions.
Maryland shares similarities with the Eagles. They both had to scratch and claw to bowl eligibility, and they both played in two of the top divisions in college football, the Big Ten East, and ACC Atlantic. Against the elite competition, they each suffered multiple lopsided losses, and they went through trying 2015 seasons.
The Terrapins are led by first-year head coach DJ Durkin, who has led the program back to a bowl game after finishing 3-9 last season. He has done so with a youth movement, starting seven true freshmen.
On offense, they are led by Perry Hills, who under Durkin has had a stark turnaround in the efficiency department, throwing just three interceptions compared to 13 in 2015. Hills also led the Big Ten in completion percentage throwing for 66.7 percent. His top target is receiver D.J. Moore who has hauled in six touchdowns. The Terps have a homerun threat out of the backfield in Ty Johnson who is averaging 8.9 yards a carry and has 9 plays where he has gained 40 yards or more.
Defensively, Maryland, much like Boston College, struggled against ranked teams, but have had elite performances from members of each of their respected unit's. Defensive end Jesse Aniebonam led the way with 9 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Linebackers Shane Cockerille and Jermaine Carter, Jr., combined for 211 tackles the most for a tandem in the Big Ten.
The game will be the 12th all-time meeting between the two schools and the first since Maryland was in the ACC in 2013. The Eagles lead the series, 8-3, and have won the last three meetings. Boston College won the last game at Byrd Stadium, 29- 26, on Nov. 23, 2013. Maryland has not won in the series since a 24-21 victory at Alumni Stadium on Oct. 23, 2010.
Both schools will be looking for to end bowl losing streaks. Boston College has not won a bowl game since 2007, and Maryland since 2010.
When Addazzio and Durkin bring their programs to Detroit, they will be looking to continue progress and to re-build winning cultures, try telling them the game is meaningless.
The Quick Lane Bowl, between Boston College and the University of Maryland, will be played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Monday, December, 26th at 2:30 p.m. EST.