For BC fans, this week's game against Virginia Tech presents an opportunity for a third consecutive regular season win against the Hokies, positive national exposure against a nationally ranked team, and a shot at redemption for last year's second half collapse in the ACC Championship Game. Unfortunately for BC, Matt Ryan will be in the stands as a spectator instead of on the field as a team leader and Heisman contender. As noted in this ESPN mid-season review of the Eagles, BC has plenty of positives heading into this week's prime-time showdowwn, including a stout defensive front seven led by Brian Toal and Mike Herzlich.
TAMING TAYLORThis game presents yet another challenge for the BC defense in figuring out a way to control a very atheltic QB in Tyrod Taylor. After Coach Frank Beamer pulled his red shirt in replacement of Sean Glennon, Taylor has been superb, rushing for over 300 yards and passing for nearly 500 yards leading Virginia Tech to 5 consecutive wins since he took the helm. In just his second year in Blacksburg, this 19 year old sophmore is a force to be reckoned with. BC must come up with a plan to limit his scrambling ability should a passing play break down.
One big question to be answered is which Viginia Tech offense will show up in Chestnut Hill on Saturday? Will it be the one that piled up nearly 500 yards and 35 points in a win against Nebraska or the squad that managed less than 300 total yards and squeaked past the 2-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers? As noted in teh article linked above, out of 120 Division I-A teams, VA Tech is one of 14 that have averaged fewer than 300 yards of total offense this season.
Some sportswriters in Virginia have described the Virginia Tech offesne as smoke and mirrors in light of the Hokies 5-1 record despite ranking 113th in the country in total offense (293 yards per game) and just 107th in passing offense (118 ypg).
Like BC, the Hokies appear to be a work in progress, however, with and athletic QB like Taylor, the margin of error for success is much greater than when a team is relying on more of a pure passer like Chris Crane. In light of this difference, look for dual threat QB Domonique Davis to see some action if the BC offense can't get things going with Crane under center. After Crane's breakout performance against NC State on October 4, the Hokies have certainly taken notice.
ROAD TO THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Although this week's game comes against a Coastal Division foe, the result will both gauge BC's talentl level and play a role in BC's effort to returning to the ACC Championship game. In a year in which there is no dominant team in the conference, the Eagles must take advantage and avoid any more letdowns against an ACC opponent.
HOMECOMING
In his Tuesday Press Conference, Virginia Tech Head Coach Frank Beamer recalled the Hokies last visit to the Heights in 2006, a game BC dominated 22-3 which accounts for Virginia Tech's only road loss since joining the ACC.
Interestingly, the Hokies also recall Alumni Stadium as both loud and rowdy - two words not typically associated with the 44,500 seat band box in the back yard of the toney Newtonians.
Will the BC Superfans (and not so superfans) be out in force on Saturday night?
EAGLES AT FULL STRENGTH?
After several games without the full services of Freshman Running Back Josh Haden (ankle) and Sophmore Cornerback Deleon Gause (ankle), BC should have both players back in the starting line-up against Virgina Tech on Saturday Night. Also, Ryan Purvis suffered what was diagnosed as a leg bruise at North Carolina State and should be fine.
Meanwhile, Alex Albright, who is out for the season with a neck injury, was scheduled to have surgery to repair a disck problem within the next week. Best of luck to Alex in his recovery.
On the Virginia Tech injury front the Hokies have lost two starters the past two games to season-ending injuries -- rover Davon Morgan (torn ACL) against Nebraska and tailback Kenny Lewis Jr. (ruptured Achilles tendon) against Western Kentucky. This will effect the Hokies' kick-off return plans as this tandem had combined for all but three of Tech's 18 returned kickoffs in the first six games. On the bright side, All ACC corner back and punt returner Victor "Macho" Harris appears to have recovered from a foot injury and should be good to go against BC.
BUD MANLong regarded as one of the NCAA's best defensive coordinators, Virginia Tech's Bud Foster is now rumored to be a leading candidate to replace the ousted Tommy Bowden at Clemson. When asked about the job opening earlier this week, Foster was less than eager to address the situation, but did acknowledge some interest on his part for the position.
WHO SAID THAT?
“I can’t wait for this game. It’s the challenge. It’s the fact that they took the ACC championship from us last year. That’s the big thing.”
-BC offensive tackle Anthony Costanzo on this week's game against Virginia Tech.
1 comment:
Good summary and I agree that, as always, containing the mobile quarterback will be the key. I thought we did this well against Kent St (yeah, I know, it was Kent State). I also thought we did a pretty good job against GT's quarterback. If I recall correctly, he only broke one or two big runs. On the otherhand, one of those runs was a killer.
Prraaadddiccttionsss? Although we've had string of Saturday night heartbreaks, I think we turn the tide tomorrow. I think the defense puts some points on the board and we do enough on offense to outdistance VT. I'm seeing 24-17, BC.
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