BC V. NC STATE: 5 KEYS TO THE GAME

Tomorrow's game against NC State will likely dictate how the rest of the season goes for the unknown quantity that is the 2008 BC football team. As they begin the ACC Atlantic Schedule, look for these five things that may be the difference in tomorrow's outcome:

1. CHRIS CRANE
Much of BC's success continues to hinge on the performance of the 5th year senior. Unfortunately, Crane has been one of the worst passers in the ACC to date. In light of the coaching staff's vow to air things out on Saturday, let's hope Crane can find a passing rhtyhm for the 1st time this season.

2. CONTAINING RUSSELL WILSON
For as long as I can remember, each time BC has faced an athletic, scrambling QB, we have been burned. From Michael Vick at Virgnia Tech in the late 90's to Josh Nesbitt in this year's loss to Georgia Tech, BC defenders never seem to contain a running QB. This week, BC will have to stop the elusive Russell Wilson if they want to continue to have success on the defensive side of the ball.

3. SPECIAL TEAMS
Unfortunately, this may turn out to be a game in which field position in key. If that is the case, BC punter Ryan Quigley will have to do better than his 36 yard average over the first four games. Particularly troubling are the 20 yard shanks from deep in our own territory.

4. RED ZONE OFFENSE
Fans will recall the Georgia Tech game and BC's inability to score a touchdown on 4 1st half trips to the red zone. Ultimately, that was the difference in the game. BC can not afford the same fate against a thin NC State defensive unit that last week gave up 41 points to South Florida.

5. SILENCE THE CROWD
NC State may be coming off of 5 consecutive underachieving seasons, but Carter-Finley Stadium remains one of the most difficult venues in the ACC for opposing teams. The longer BC lets an outmatched Wolfpack team hang around, the louder and more boisterous this crown will become. Given Crane's signal calling difficulties at home against URI, this variable can only make matters worse.

PREDICTION
It probably won't be pretty, but BC pulls out the road victory 24-10.