The 2009 Eagles football season is sure to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Today we peer into our crystal ball to find out how the 2009 football season will play out. Jeff's pick is listed first followed by Brian's.
Northeastern. Win / Win
Jeff: There isn't a whole lot to think about here. A few draws up the middle to Harris should be enough to beat Northeastern. Only the final score is in question.
Kent State. Win / Win
Brian: In last year's game, Golden Flashes senior quarterback Julian Edelman accounted for 64% of Kent State's total offense. Edelman is gone, and even with playmaker Eugene Jarvis returning for his senior season, the Eagles shouldn't have too much difficulty shutting down the Flashes offense. But can the Eagles offense move the ball on offense?
at Clemson. Win / Loss
Jeff: With the way the offseason has unfolded, Boston College will enter this game as underdogs once again against the Tigers. Fortunately for BC, though, they are undefeated against Clemson as underdogs since joining the ACC and I expect that trend to continue. A quick Eagle score will put the Clemson coaches and players on their heels, and the Eagles will be able to play loose due to the low expectations the fans and media have for them this season.
Wake Forest. Loss / Win
Brian: Since 2003 when the Eagles renewed a series with the Deacons, every game has been an adventure. This year's game should prove to be no exception. The battle on both sides of the ball will prove to be exciting. Wake Forest's offense led by senior quarterback Riley Skinner vs. another Spaziani-led defense, and BC's young offense vs. a depleted Wake Forest defensive unit. Jeff and I are split on this game, but I think the home field advantage gives the slight edge to the Eagles. This will be a wild game, but the Eagles winning ways at home against Wake Forest continue.
Florida State. Win / Loss
Jeff: This is without question the biggest home game of the 2009 season and I think the players will respond. Back in the Tom O'Brien days, BC pretty much never won a game where they were a significant underdog. However, that trend has changed in the last few years. In one of the few BC games this season that is likely to be on ABC/ESPN in prime time, the young Eagles team will play their hearts out just as they did in Tallahassee last year. That being said, it could go either way since Florida State is the most talented team in the division this year, hence Brian and I being split on who will win.
at Virginia Tech. Loss / Loss
Brian: I certainly have my doubts about the Hokies chances to three-peat in the ACC this year (the play of Tyrod Taylor, no Darren Evans, an otherwise anemic offense, etc. etc.), but there probably isn't a tougher, more intimidating place to play in the ACC than Lane Stadium. Without some Matt Ryan magic this season, this may very well be an unpleasant road trip for the Eagles. My only hope for this game is that it is a noon kickoff and the Eagles D comes up huge and catches the Hokies sleep walking.
North Carolina State. Loss / Win
Jeff: A loss here assumes that Russell Wilson is healthy. NC State is better this year than last year, and last year's game was too close for comfort. The Wolfpack nearly knocked off the Eagles despite Chris Crane having one of the greatest statistical games for a Boston College quarterback. This year we won't have the firepower to win a shootout. If Russell Wilson is not able to play though or if our offense progresses a little more than expected, this game is very winnable for the Eagles as well as long as they are not trapped by looking ahead to Notre Dame.
at Notre Dame. Win / Loss
Brian: The Eagles luck against the Irish runs out this season in a heartbreaking, last minute "Petersen-to-Gonzalez-in-the-corner-of-the-endzone-like" loss. While I personally don't think much of this year's Irish team (and feel their preseason Top 25 ranking is based solely on their easy schedule), I think the home field advantage gives the edge to Notre Dame in this one. However, Jeff foresees a win. He must think the Irish will have a letdown after getting throttled by USC the week before, or that they are going to break out those stupid green jerseys.
Central Michigan. Win / Win
Jeff: Central Michigan isn't even the favorite to win their division of the MAC. Some people might be confused because the favorite is another directional Michigan, but I just can't see the Eagles losing to a MAC team that won't even go to the MAC championship game.
at Virginia. Win / Win
Brian: Virginia installs a new offensive scheme this year (the spread) which can only help an offense that finished 105th in total offense in 2008. But UVA doesn't have the personnel to successfully pull off this offense. This team isn't going to start putting up Tulsa numbers overnight, and time seems to be running out for Groh in Charlottesville. While this game is on the road, the difference will be the Boston College defense shutting down the Cav offense. BC should run the 'Hoos off the field with the 1-2 punch of Harris and Haden. Oh yeah, and win this one for Kiwanuka (I don't hold grudges or anything).
North Carolina. Loss / Loss
Jeff: It pains me that we are unanimously against the Eagles here but North Carolina has always had the Eagles' number. Even when they met in the Meineke Car Care Bowl before BC joined the ACC, BC had the superior team but struggled to win the game. Since joining the ACC, UNC has stomped on BC during seasons that Boston College has gone on to have more success. I expect this year to be no different even though the focus of the Chapel Hill fans will already have shifted to basketball before this late November matchup. The Tar Heels will remain the one ACC program that Boston College has failed to beat since joining the conference.
at Maryland. Win / Win
Brian: This game will come down to play in the trenches, and both Maryland's lines are in need of some serious overhauls. The Terps have lost five of their top seven linemen on the offensive side of the ball, and two of four of their starters on the defensive line. Even with Chris Turner and Da'Rel Scott, I don't think the lines will hold long enough to sustain much offense. Boston College will have revenge on their minds for their last trip to Byrd Stadium and roll to their seventh win of the season. The Terps, on the other hand, will finish November with an 0-4 record and losses to NC State, Virginia Tech, Florida State and BC.
Let us recap.
| Game | Jeff | Brian |
| Northeastern | Win | Win |
| Kent State | Win | Win |
| at CLEMSON | Win | Loss |
| WAKE FOREST | Loss | Win |
| FLORIDA STATE | Win | Loss |
| at VIRGINIA TECH | Loss | Loss |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE | Loss | Win |
| at Notre Dame | Win | Loss |
| Central Michigan | Win | Win |
| at VIRGINIA | Win | Win |
| NORTH CAROLINA | Loss | Loss |
| at MARYLAND | Win | Win |
| Record | 8-4 (4-4) | 7-5 (4-4) |
2 comments:
Brad Butler is the devil
I went with 7-5 (3-5).
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