2011-2012 Football Previews – Atlantic Coast Conference – BC Eagles
When one thinks about top-shelf ACC programs, Boston College may not be the first team to come to mind, yet the Eagles have been surprisingly consistent over the years.
ACC 2011-12 Football Previews: Boston College Eagles
Coach: Frank Spaziani
2010 Record: 7-6
Boston College Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS: +20000
Maryland Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
The Eagles have finished with at least eight wins three times since 2007, and finished 7-6 last year – after starting the campaign 2-5.
The defense kept BC in games last year while the offense was struggling with inconsistency and personnel shuffling under center. In the latter portion of the year, the QB position was stabilized with then-freshman Chase Rettig. The “D” loses inspiring and talented LB Mark Herzlich to the NFL, but it still has the horses to permit the Eagles to hold their own in almost any conference game.
Team Strengths
Even without Herzlich, the defense is still a strength of this team. The lion’s share of the big plays will be made by super junior LB Luke Kuechly, who led the NCAA in tackles per game in 2010 and was a first-team All-American. A good back seven is buttressed with LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, CB Donnie Fletcher and highly-touted freshman CB Al Louis-Jean.
In addition to more continuity with Rettig, RB Montel Harris returns for his senior season on offense. He was a workhorse with 1,243 yards last year and is an all-conference talent. Hopefully, with Rettig and a stable of returning wideouts, Harris won’t be relied upon as heavily in 2011.
Team Weaknesses
The defensive line must replace three starters; there is no question the back seven is the strength of the BC defense. The Eagles were excellent in plugging the run last year and it will be hard to mimic that performance in ’11 with new faces. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The offensive line loses three key pieces, including the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round pick Anthony Castonzo. The receiver corps was very green in 2010 (this year’s three returnees are all just sophomores) and it should be improved, but with BC’s pathetic passing stats in ’10, how much is that even saying? Junior TE Chris Pantale may become the most reliable option.
2011-12 Boston College Football Prediction: 8-5
The Eagles still have a great defense and also have the potential for notable offensive growth at long last, with some stability. But Boston College must battle with a very daunting schedule, particularly to close out the year. BC’s last seven games are all considerably tough, with the easiest clash likely being on the road versus Maryland.
If the Eagles can pull some upsets, they could finish with a respectable year, but make no mistake: it will be contingent on pulling upsets.
Frank Spaziani’s bunch can win its first five straight, but after that it will be a vastly different story. Yet, if the Eagles offense improves as much as it could, BC quickly becomes a team that no one wants to play.
Anything more than eight wins would be quite a surprise; then again, it seems that’s what we’ve grown used to out of Boston College in recent seasons.
2011 BC Eagles Schedule
9/3/11 12:00 PM ET NWEST
9/10/11 8:00 PM ET @CENFL
9/17/11 12:30 PM ET DUKE
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET MASS
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET WFRST
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET @CLEM
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET @VATCH
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @MD
11/3/11 8:00 PM ET FSU
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET NCST
11/19/11 4:00 PM ET @NOTRE
11/25/11 3:30 PM ET @MIAMI
