Written by Brett Korpi
Opponent: UMass Minutemen
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
When: Saturday, September 10, 2016, 12:00 P.M. EST
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
When: Saturday, September 10, 2016, 12:00 P.M. EST
After suffering a last-minute loss, last week to Georgia Tech, in Dublin, Ireland, the Eagles (0-1,0-1 ACC) return home to Massachusetts and will travel just down the road to Foxborough to face in-state “rival” UMass (0-1, Independent). Here are the key questions Super Fans’ will be pondering as they make the short trip down I-95:
You put rival in quotes, why?
Even though this is an in-state matchup, Boston College dominates the series. They come in with a 20-5 record against the Minutemen and have not lost in almost 40 years. The last time they played, just after UMass made the jump to FBS in 2014, the Eagles ran away with a 30-7 victory.
How did the Minutemen in their opener?
UMass visited The Swamp in Gainesville. Where it took on No. 25 Florida. The Minutemen played reasonably well as it kept it close heading into the fourth they trailed 10-7. The Gators eventually finished it off defeating the visitors 24-7.
Wow, was it as close as it seemed?
Florida kept UMass in it committing a handful of foolish penalties. However, the defense played very well and did not seem overwhelmed by the far superior SEC opponent. De’Shawn Downey is a force at linebacker
Who are the players to watch for UMass?
On offense they have a trio of sophomores, running back Marquis Young, ran for 930 yards last year as a freshman. Against Florida, he had 59 yards on 19 carries. Classmate Andy Isabella, a wide receiver, had a productive game against the Gators with 95 yards on 3 catches. Quarterback Ross Comis had a rushing touchdown and threw for 141 yards and was 9 for 17.
Defensively, look out for safety Tedrick Lowery. The Junior College transfer had a game-high 11 tackles down in Florida. Linebackers DA’Sean Downey and Shane Huber make a lot of plays and can get in the backfield or play sideline to sideline.
Let’s talk about last week, what went wrong for the Eagles?
The Eagles offensively moved the ball well, especially in the second half. They were 1 for 3 in the red zone, with costly turnovers coming in Georgia Tech territory. It did not help that they missed field goals and were very conservative.
The defensive as usual played extremely well and shut down the option attack. However, they had trouble closing out as well. They gave up a lot of plays through the air on third and long. The most crucial being a fourth and 20 in their own territory that eventually led to the game winning score.
What do the Eagles need to do to win this game?
On paper, the Eagles should blow out this young UMass team. However, they obviously can not
I would like to see head coach Steve Addazzio and Offensive Coordinator be more aggressive. They need to let quarterback Patrick Towles air it out a bit. He was able to connect with Charlie Callinan and Jeff Smith for some big plays last week. Look for Jon Hilliman to run often with the lead. The sophomore had 103 yards against the Yellow Jackets and a huge 73-yard touch down run that tied the game at 7.
The Defense needs to shut down the Minutemen on third down. If giving up big plays on third and long becomes a trend, they will be in big trouble against the tougher ACC opponents.
The kicking game needs to show consistency. Addazzio needs to be able to trust that when they get in the redzone, they can in the least walk away with three points.
So, you were wrong in your prediction last week, who do you have this week?
This week BC is 17 point favorites. I think they will get things right this week and win running away 38-7.
Weekly Fun Facts
BC defensive coordinator and Jim Reid was the head coach at UMass from 1986 to 1991. He had a 36-29-1 record and guided the Minutemen to three Yankee Conference titles. He was named the Yankee Conference Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1990.
The Eagles and Minutemen will be seeing some familiar faces on the field in the Battle of the Bay State. There are seven common high schools between the two rosters: Boston College High, Brockton, Catholic Memorial, Everett, Franklin, St. John’s Shrewsbury and Doherty Memorial in Worcester.
You put rival in quotes, why?
Even though this is an in-state matchup, Boston College dominates the series. They come in with a 20-5 record against the Minutemen and have not lost in almost 40 years. The last time they played, just after UMass made the jump to FBS in 2014, the Eagles ran away with a 30-7 victory.
How did the Minutemen in their opener?
UMass visited The Swamp in Gainesville. Where it took on No. 25 Florida. The Minutemen played reasonably well as it kept it close heading into the fourth they trailed 10-7. The Gators eventually finished it off defeating the visitors 24-7.
Wow, was it as close as it seemed?
Florida kept UMass in it committing a handful of foolish penalties. However, the defense played very well and did not seem overwhelmed by the far superior SEC opponent. De’Shawn Downey is a force at linebacker
Who are the players to watch for UMass?
On offense they have a trio of sophomores, running back Marquis Young, ran for 930 yards last year as a freshman. Against Florida, he had 59 yards on 19 carries. Classmate Andy Isabella, a wide receiver, had a productive game against the Gators with 95 yards on 3 catches. Quarterback Ross Comis had a rushing touchdown and threw for 141 yards and was 9 for 17.
Defensively, look out for safety Tedrick Lowery. The Junior College transfer had a game-high 11 tackles down in Florida. Linebackers DA’Sean Downey and Shane Huber make a lot of plays and can get in the backfield or play sideline to sideline.
Let’s talk about last week, what went wrong for the Eagles?
The Eagles offensively moved the ball well, especially in the second half. They were 1 for 3 in the red zone, with costly turnovers coming in Georgia Tech territory. It did not help that they missed field goals and were very conservative.
The defensive as usual played extremely well and shut down the option attack. However, they had trouble closing out as well. They gave up a lot of plays through the air on third and long. The most crucial being a fourth and 20 in their own territory that eventually led to the game winning score.
What do the Eagles need to do to win this game?
On paper, the Eagles should blow out this young UMass team. However, they obviously can not
I would like to see head coach Steve Addazzio and Offensive Coordinator be more aggressive. They need to let quarterback Patrick Towles air it out a bit. He was able to connect with Charlie Callinan and Jeff Smith for some big plays last week. Look for Jon Hilliman to run often with the lead. The sophomore had 103 yards against the Yellow Jackets and a huge 73-yard touch down run that tied the game at 7.
The Defense needs to shut down the Minutemen on third down. If giving up big plays on third and long becomes a trend, they will be in big trouble against the tougher ACC opponents.
The kicking game needs to show consistency. Addazzio needs to be able to trust that when they get in the redzone, they can in the least walk away with three points.
So, you were wrong in your prediction last week, who do you have this week?
This week BC is 17 point favorites. I think they will get things right this week and win running away 38-7.
Weekly Fun Facts
BC defensive coordinator and Jim Reid was the head coach at UMass from 1986 to 1991. He had a 36-29-1 record and guided the Minutemen to three Yankee Conference titles. He was named the Yankee Conference Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1990.
The Eagles and Minutemen will be seeing some familiar faces on the field in the Battle of the Bay State. There are seven common high schools between the two rosters: Boston College High, Brockton, Catholic Memorial, Everett, Franklin, St. John’s Shrewsbury and Doherty Memorial in Worcester.