Written by Brett Korpi
Where: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
When: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2016
The Eagles (4-6, 1-6 ACC) were once again embarrassed by an upper echelon ACC opponent last Friday down in Tallahassee. Florida State quickly put the game away in a 45-7 rout. Head coach Steve Addazzio will need to lead his team to victories in their next two games in order to secure a bowl birth and possibly his employment status.
BC will welcome a struggling UConn (3-7, 1-6 AAC) to campus this weekend. The Huskies will arrive to a festive atmosphere, as it is Senior Day at the Heights. And to add the the festivities the Eagles will be retiring the jersey of Boston College alum and current NFL MVP candidate Matt Ryan.
Now, let’s take a look at the questions the Super Fans will be pondering, as they get ready to welcome back “Matty Ice.” As well as say goodbye to a group of 17 seniors.
Why haven’t the Eagles been able to even compete against good ACC teams this year?
That is a fair question, BC has been outscored 202-24 against four ranked opponents this season. For comparison, last season when they went didn’t win an ACC game, they were outscored just 67-19 in three games against ranked teams. To go a little further in all eight of their ACC games, only 147 points were scored against them.
You may ask what has changed? Well not much, they returned the core of their defense this season, and overall have been respectable ranking 17th in total defense nationally.
The change was made on the sidelines. Last years defensive coordinator, Don Brown, is leading Michigan’s defense now. Jim Reid is the new DC, and even though they generally run the same scheme and philosophy, the Eagles are giving up a ton of big plays. Something is happening in the secondary, that wasn’t happening last year, whether it is poor execution or poor coaching. That unit just can’t seem to keep the ball in front of them.
Well, it doesn’t help that the offense is bad. What is the reason for that?
They lack explosive talent, and creativity on offense. Their most explosive player is receiver Jeff Smith. He has been apart of the few big plays the Eagles have managed to create. Whether it’s through the air or on the ground. Last week they had him running jet sweeps over, and over again. They even have had him line up in the wild cat, which isn’t unreasonable since he is a former quarterback, however they don’t have him throw the ball and not to mention the wild cat hasn’t worked since in any level of football in almost a decade.
Another issue that has caused the lack of offense against competitive teams, is the position of quarterback. After a 2015 season that saw a carousel of players take the helm under center following an injury to starter Darius wade, there was a big relief when it was announced that Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles would be a graduate-transfer. However, as the season has played out it is obvious that his time at the Heights hasn’t been working out on the field against ACC competition.
Is there any hope at the position in the future?
There are three options for the Eagles, they could finally see what they have in Wade. They could keep bringing in graduate-transfers, and lastly it is being said that freshman quarterback Anthony Brown is emerging behind the scenes, and should be in the mix in the spring. Addazzio plans on keeping him a redshirt this season.
Since “Matty Ice” is in town what about him?
Oh, if only. He was a heckuva quarterback during his time in Chestnut Hill, leading the Eagles to if not their best, their most memorable season in the last 20 years. In his senior campaign of 2007 the Super Fans would adorn him the nickname “Matty Heisman.” He wasn’t able hold up that famous statue, but he would pile up the post season honors, including ACC Player of the Year, All-ACC, Manning Award, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He would go on to be selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft. He is currently having a career season, where he has the Falcons in the mix at the top of the NFC and himself in the MVP race.
We need more guys like that! So, UConn is having a bad year, are in a weak conference, we have been beating up on teams like that this year. Should be an easy one right?
Well, there is a bit of a mystery to the Huskies going into the game. Head coach Bob Diacco has shuffled his coaching staff, and has anointed freshman quarterback Donovan Williams the starter. These changes provide a factor of the unknown for Addazzio and his staff. Look for a new look offense from UConn.
Hmmm, what is your prediction?
You were right, Boston College has been beating up weak teams. And with it being Senior Day, and Ryan in town, I expect to see a motivated Eagles team. I got to with BC, 35-3.
Weekly Fun Facts
This is something I learned during Luke Kuechly’s jersey retirement during the year, they are not retiring the numbers, but their actual jersey, whatever that means. The only numbers retired by Boston College are 22 and 68, worn by Eagle greats Doug Flutie and Mike Ruth.
These are players being honored on Senior Day: Captains Truman Gutapfel, John Johnson, Tyler Rouse and Myles Willis. As well as, Matt Milano, Jim Cashman, Cameron Cotreau, E.J. Fortenberry, Mike Giacone, Kevin Kavalec, Brendan Nosovitch, Leonard, Skubal, Mike Strizack, Bobby Wofford, Jim Lowery and Patrick Towles.
When: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2016
The Eagles (4-6, 1-6 ACC) were once again embarrassed by an upper echelon ACC opponent last Friday down in Tallahassee. Florida State quickly put the game away in a 45-7 rout. Head coach Steve Addazzio will need to lead his team to victories in their next two games in order to secure a bowl birth and possibly his employment status.
BC will welcome a struggling UConn (3-7, 1-6 AAC) to campus this weekend. The Huskies will arrive to a festive atmosphere, as it is Senior Day at the Heights. And to add the the festivities the Eagles will be retiring the jersey of Boston College alum and current NFL MVP candidate Matt Ryan.
Now, let’s take a look at the questions the Super Fans will be pondering, as they get ready to welcome back “Matty Ice.” As well as say goodbye to a group of 17 seniors.
Why haven’t the Eagles been able to even compete against good ACC teams this year?
That is a fair question, BC has been outscored 202-24 against four ranked opponents this season. For comparison, last season when they went didn’t win an ACC game, they were outscored just 67-19 in three games against ranked teams. To go a little further in all eight of their ACC games, only 147 points were scored against them.
You may ask what has changed? Well not much, they returned the core of their defense this season, and overall have been respectable ranking 17th in total defense nationally.
The change was made on the sidelines. Last years defensive coordinator, Don Brown, is leading Michigan’s defense now. Jim Reid is the new DC, and even though they generally run the same scheme and philosophy, the Eagles are giving up a ton of big plays. Something is happening in the secondary, that wasn’t happening last year, whether it is poor execution or poor coaching. That unit just can’t seem to keep the ball in front of them.
Well, it doesn’t help that the offense is bad. What is the reason for that?
They lack explosive talent, and creativity on offense. Their most explosive player is receiver Jeff Smith. He has been apart of the few big plays the Eagles have managed to create. Whether it’s through the air or on the ground. Last week they had him running jet sweeps over, and over again. They even have had him line up in the wild cat, which isn’t unreasonable since he is a former quarterback, however they don’t have him throw the ball and not to mention the wild cat hasn’t worked since in any level of football in almost a decade.
Another issue that has caused the lack of offense against competitive teams, is the position of quarterback. After a 2015 season that saw a carousel of players take the helm under center following an injury to starter Darius wade, there was a big relief when it was announced that Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles would be a graduate-transfer. However, as the season has played out it is obvious that his time at the Heights hasn’t been working out on the field against ACC competition.
Is there any hope at the position in the future?
There are three options for the Eagles, they could finally see what they have in Wade. They could keep bringing in graduate-transfers, and lastly it is being said that freshman quarterback Anthony Brown is emerging behind the scenes, and should be in the mix in the spring. Addazzio plans on keeping him a redshirt this season.
Since “Matty Ice” is in town what about him?
Oh, if only. He was a heckuva quarterback during his time in Chestnut Hill, leading the Eagles to if not their best, their most memorable season in the last 20 years. In his senior campaign of 2007 the Super Fans would adorn him the nickname “Matty Heisman.” He wasn’t able hold up that famous statue, but he would pile up the post season honors, including ACC Player of the Year, All-ACC, Manning Award, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He would go on to be selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft. He is currently having a career season, where he has the Falcons in the mix at the top of the NFC and himself in the MVP race.
We need more guys like that! So, UConn is having a bad year, are in a weak conference, we have been beating up on teams like that this year. Should be an easy one right?
Well, there is a bit of a mystery to the Huskies going into the game. Head coach Bob Diacco has shuffled his coaching staff, and has anointed freshman quarterback Donovan Williams the starter. These changes provide a factor of the unknown for Addazzio and his staff. Look for a new look offense from UConn.
Hmmm, what is your prediction?
You were right, Boston College has been beating up weak teams. And with it being Senior Day, and Ryan in town, I expect to see a motivated Eagles team. I got to with BC, 35-3.
Weekly Fun Facts
This is something I learned during Luke Kuechly’s jersey retirement during the year, they are not retiring the numbers, but their actual jersey, whatever that means. The only numbers retired by Boston College are 22 and 68, worn by Eagle greats Doug Flutie and Mike Ruth.
These are players being honored on Senior Day: Captains Truman Gutapfel, John Johnson, Tyler Rouse and Myles Willis. As well as, Matt Milano, Jim Cashman, Cameron Cotreau, E.J. Fortenberry, Mike Giacone, Kevin Kavalec, Brendan Nosovitch, Leonard, Skubal, Mike Strizack, Bobby Wofford, Jim Lowery and Patrick Towles.