When: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2016
Boston College (2-2, 0-2 ACC) continues their four game home stand as they host non-conference opponent Buffalo. The Eagles rebounded, after getting blown out at Virginia Tech, by running over FCS opponent Wagner last week 42-10. This week, they will be attempting to win back to back games for the first time since the beginning of the 2015 season.
The Bulls (1-2) are coming off a 23-20 overtime victory over Army. Led by true freshman quarterback Tyree Jackson, they were able to overcome a 14-point 4th quarter deficit. Jackson threw for 178 yards and a touchdown while adding 34 on the ground and two more scores.
Let’s take a look at the questions Super Fans will be pondering when they are lining up for the “Eagle Walk” Saturday morning.
So, Buffalo should be another easy one, huh?
On paper yes. However, nothing has come easy for the Eagles so far this season. In their two victories, despite the final scores, they have struggled at times. Buffalo also comes to Chestnut Hill a week before BC plays host to College Football Playoff contender Clemson. There is an opportunity for the Bulls to sneak out a win if Head Coach Steve Addazzio’s team takes the game for granted and starts to look ahead.
But our defense is still one of the best in the country, how will the Bulls score on us?
Yes, it’s true statically speaking the Eagles D still ranks near the top nationally. They are 6th in total yards per game. However, as I have mentioned in the previous weeks, they are prone to give up big plays. That bug struck them once again early against Wagner as quarterback Alex Thompson ran 55 yards for a score on a broken play. Now, the defense absolutely dominated the rest of the way, but they can’t afford to let lesser teams into games like that.
The offense seemed to improve, will it continue?
It is hard to really say how much it improved playing against a weak FCS school. But, it was a step in the right direction. The running game thrived, as the team gained 300 yards on the ground, led by John Hilliman and Davon Jones. They also used the deep ball to change the momentum of the game, much like it did against UMass. Quarterback Patrick Towles hit Jeff Smith deep for 58 yards to break the game open in the 2nd quarter.
What else stood out for you last week?
The return game for the Eagles has been great. Senior captain, Tyler Rouse set up a pair of Eagles touchdown runs with career-long kickoff (44 yards) and punt returns (53 yards). Rouse actually has looked great all year and has had a few runs, including a would-be touchdown against Virginia Tech, negated due to penalties.
What would you like to see from BC this game?
I would like to see the Eagles throw more consistently and pick up the tempo a bit. I feel this will be a good game to perfect that before they get into the heart of their ACC schedule. I would also like to see the defense clean things up a bit. I don’t want to see any broken plays or blown coverages, against an opponent like this I want to see perfection.
What is your prediction this week?
I am predicting a 38-13 victory; it will be much like their other two victories where they might struggle at times but just outclass a lesser opponent.
Weekly Fun Facts
Buffalo’s second year head coach Lance Leipold, was the head coach at Wisconsin-Whitewater where he compiled an astounding 109-6 record and won six Division III National Championships over his eight seasons. A six-time National Coach of the Year, Leipold reached 100 career victories faster than any other coach in NCAA history – at any level.
Lovejoy, GA is a town of 6,300, and Lovejoy High School had a graduating class of 406 in 2014. Now three members of that same high school class play on the Buffalo defense. Cornerback Brandon Williams, defensive end Randy Anyanwu and safety Jordan Collier were all teammates on the same Lovejoy team.