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Boston College vs. Army
Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
12:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network
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The Eagles (1-3, 0-2 ACC) roll into West Point this Saturday with one glaring issue: they are ranked 120th in the FBS in total rushing yards, behind only the likes of UAB, Idaho, Washington State, and Tulane. Andre Williams has struggled considerably over the past two games, picking up only 61 yards against Clemson and 7 yards in a deplorable loss to Northwestern.
Army (0-4) on the other hand, boasts a far better rushing game. Raymond Maples has 487 yards this season on 67 carries, while Larry Dixon and Terry Baggett have combined for a total of nine touchdowns in the past three games. The Black Knights will look to expose a sieve-like defensive front -- one that allowed Clemson 209 total rushing yards against BC, putting the game out of reach last Saturday at Alumni.
Regardless of Army’s prolific rushing game -- ranked second overall in the FBS -- the Black Knights have yet to win a game this season. They lost to Division 1-AA Stony Brook 23-3 last Saturday, handing the Seawolves their first-ever victory against an FBS opponent.
BC is in a pivotal part of its season. Not to say that the entire season rides on this game, but with FSU and ND on the horizon, Spaz and Co. need to concoct a win to establish rhythm and confidence in the offense and defense. An unfavorable result on Friday could cause a total breakdown of the 2012 season, one that few still believe can end with a bowl game appearance.
If the same Chase Rettig we saw during the Clemson game comes out against Army, expect to see significant passing yards and TD's to Amidon, Coleman, Evans and the ever-so-gracefully reemerging Bobby Swigert. Coming back from a left knee injury, Swigert caught two passes for 27 total yards last week in his first game of the 2012 season.
Rettig and his developing receiving corps showed much of what they can do in the first half of the Clemson game, and the Eagles can distance themselves early on with quick scoring drives and stymying, explosive defense. Kevin Pierre-Louis could use a big performance, and a couple more big plays from Sean Sylvia could elevate a BC defense that ranks 86th overall, allowing opponents an average of 436 yards a game.
Although BC’s rushing game is lackluster and must be fixed before the FSU matchup, the Eagles are going to win big on Saturday. Losing to a team that previously lost to Stony Brook is seemingly farcical. Although so is Spaz’s play-calling, but that is another story...
Eagles win, 31-10.
Born in New York, from Philadelphia, but meant to live in New England.
