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Boston College (2-8, 1-5 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech (4-6, 2-4 ACC)
Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
12:30 PM ET, ACC Sports Network
Photo courtesy of qbweekly/Flickr
After last Saturday’s loss to #3 ranked Notre Dame, the Boston College Eagles are looking to cap off a season at Alumni Stadium characterized by missing the mark—impromptu fumbles, missed tackles, untimely interceptions— the mistakes are endless.
Virginia Tech is nearing the end to a season that was a considerable disappointment as well. Prior to the beginning of the season, Virginia Tech was ranked 16th in the AP preseason poll. Sitting at 4-6 and 2-4 in the ACC with head-scratching losses to Pitt and Cincinnati, Head Coach Frank Beamer is on the hot seat in Hokieville.
Although not nearly as lacking as BC, Virginia Tech’s running game and ability to score points are far from the Virginia Tech of last year. They are ranked 70th in rushing yards per game and 72nd in points for in the FBS. Dual-threat quarterback Logan Thomas, somewhat similar to Everett Gholson of Notre Dame, poses a lot of problems for a BC defense that looked inferior to ND during the entire game.
Thomas' most recent performance against FSU, in which he threw for 127 yards and picked up a rushing and passing touchdown, should warrant some major concern for BC. Virginia Tech almost pulled off an upset last week against the Seminoles, losing 28-22 on Rashad Greene’s 39-yard touchdown reception with 40 seconds to play.
Virginia Tech can expose the injury-laden defensive-line and linebacker corps of BC, compounding the issues to a unit already ranked 116th in the FBS in rushing defense. The status of junior linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis is still unknown, and several underclassmen will be called upon to fill the roles of BC’s struggling defense.
On the offensive side of the ball for BC, Deuce Finch should help to alleviate Chase Rettig’s pressure in the pocket with substantial runs against an average Virginia Tech rushing defense. Finch looked explosive at times against a notorious Notre Dame defense.
Look for Rettig to seize every opportunity he gets against Virginia Tech’s defensive backs. Amidon and Swigert can both have substantial games pending on Rettig’s rhythm and poise in the pocket.
With Boston College’s proverbial “bowl game” against Notre Dame in the national limelight long gone, it would seem that the battered Eagles are ready to forego the rest of the season. But, that is far from what the Eagles will do on Saturday. Expect a motivated senior class fighting hard for a win against Virginia Tech—their performance against Notre Dame was quite possibly their best of the year.
For every one else playing for BC, there is the prospect of next year and the turn-around of a program that is familiar with records of 8-2, not 2-8.
Eagles win (somehow) on Senior Day, 28-24.
Born in New York, from Philadelphia, but meant to live in New England.
