Each Monday or Tuesday for the next 12 weeks as we lead up to the season opener, I will do my best to preview each game on the schedule in order starting this week with the game against the Eagles at Dublin, Ireland. Hopefully, we can discuss the game that week and then follow up as summer progresses in the thread if any news occurs with regards to that particular Tech opponent. I will provide my far-too-early objective game forecast to which I welcome yours.
Game Info: 12:30pm local time in Ireland, 7:30amET, ESPN-2
BC Offense: This was the Eagles ball-and-chain a year ago and by far. More on the defense shortly which was outstanding, but if BC had just an average or perhaps just below average offense a season ago, they probably wind up with more like a 7-5 record instead of 3-9. Maybe even better than that in truth because the Eagles lost a whopping FIVE games by 3 pts or less. Almost all because of the ineptitude of their offense.
BC was 121st in the nation (out of 128 D1A teams) in scoring offense at 17.2 ppg. But, that's a bit deceiving in the sense that 76 of their total 206 scored pts on the season came in a blowout win over Howard (76-0). So, in the other 11 games, they averaged scoring 11.8 ppg. The most points BC scored against a D1A team last year in a game was 17.
And for those who like yards per play, no surprise that the Eagles were 124th in the nation at 4.40. Further, it will surprise nobody that BC was 2nd in the nation in punts per game at 7.7 (behind only Kent State at 7.8).
Looking towards 2015, the Eagles get a pump in the arm at the QB position via the grad transfer route as 6'5" gunner Patrick Towles comes in from Kentucky, where he started 22 games in his 3 years at UK. He was a Parade All-American in HS and Mr. Football in the Blue Grass Commonwealth. He threw for just over 5K yards and 24 TD's, though also 24 INT's.
RB John Hilliman returns after breaking his foot in Week 4 last year. His backup who became the starter, Sr, Tyler Rouse, also returns. FB Bobby Wolford when the Eagles choose to go with a 2-back backfield returns for his final season. They will mix it up. 3 of their 5 interior O-Linemen return along with a starter at TE and WR. So, they return at least 7 starters and then throw in a significant upgrade at the QB position where they suffered a season ago.
I don't expect BC's offense to all of a sudden become a juggernaut overnight, but they should definitely be significantly better in '16 than '15. Of course, it is difficult to be much worse. Certainly, they can move the chains far better which should help their excellent defense even more as that great unit a season ago was on the field far too often because of the inept offense. Tech's defense had better be ready and not take this Eagles offense lightly as you know their guys are hungry for some success after what they went through last year. And, Mr. Towles likely has something to prove as well. Add in a new offensive coordinator, Scot Loeffler, who comes in after 3 years under Beamer at Va Tech, and you have even more things for Ted Roof to consider when prepping for this game.
BC Defense: As bad as their offense was a year ago, the defense was outstanding. How outstanding? Try #1 in the nation in total defense. Yeah, THAT outstanding. They miserly gave up 254.3 yds per game and 4.07 yards per play (also tops in the nation). They were 4th in the nation in pts allowed per game at 15.3. The Clemson offensive juggernaut scored 34 pts on BC at Death Valley. Remember Notre Dame's good offense? They only beat BC 19-16 late in the season at Fenway Park. FSU could only score 14 on BC at Chestnut Hill early last season, but the Noles D shut out BC's offense. That same Duke team who scored 34 on us could only muster 9 at Durham in a 9-7 win over BC the following week after beating us.
Looking ahead HC Addazio did lose his D-Coord., Don Brown, to Michigan. In steps Jim Reid, entering his 43rd year of college coaching, who has an outstanding background most recently as linebackers coach at Iowa the past 3 years and D-Coord. at Virginia for 3 years before that. He will have plenty to work with as the Eagles return some starters and should be very good in their front 7. Reid just needs to avoid screwing up a good thing. BC flourished a year ago with lots of different looks and bringing lots of pressure. While it is unlikely they will be able to duplicate their dominance of a season ago, they still should be very good and likely the best unit on the field at Dublin...perhaps by far even. If Tech's offensive line doesn't function well against BC, it will be a party in Tech's backfield on almost every play.
What I Expect To Happen: This is a very tough spot for the Jackets. There are tons of question marks offensively - and defensively for that matter - and it is the first game of the season of course for both teams...and, 5 time zones away. While I expect Tech to eventually be better in '16, I also think BC will be much better as well. I say "eventually" on purpose regarding Tech because it may take a few weeks/games for Tech's offense to start moving chains and scoring. Tech obviously has a weapon in Sr. Harrison Butker and that could be a difference-maker in what should be a low-scoring, tight ball game from opening kickoff to final buzzer. The average fan may view this early game in the U.S. as a bit of a snoozer, but when the 4Q rolls around it should make for some good drama due to an expected close game that may go down to the wire. Tech opened as 4-pt favorites at some early openings at books. I have to unfortunately go with BC because I think they will have the best unit on the field in their defense, Tech's offense won't be ready to deal with their defense, and Tech's defense is suspect. I expect BC's offense to be significantly better in '16 and they'll score just enough to win this opener - and a league opener to boot... BC wins 20-16. Tech moves to 0-1/0-1.
Game Info: 12:30pm local time in Ireland, 7:30amET, ESPN-2
BC Offense: This was the Eagles ball-and-chain a year ago and by far. More on the defense shortly which was outstanding, but if BC had just an average or perhaps just below average offense a season ago, they probably wind up with more like a 7-5 record instead of 3-9. Maybe even better than that in truth because the Eagles lost a whopping FIVE games by 3 pts or less. Almost all because of the ineptitude of their offense.
BC was 121st in the nation (out of 128 D1A teams) in scoring offense at 17.2 ppg. But, that's a bit deceiving in the sense that 76 of their total 206 scored pts on the season came in a blowout win over Howard (76-0). So, in the other 11 games, they averaged scoring 11.8 ppg. The most points BC scored against a D1A team last year in a game was 17.
And for those who like yards per play, no surprise that the Eagles were 124th in the nation at 4.40. Further, it will surprise nobody that BC was 2nd in the nation in punts per game at 7.7 (behind only Kent State at 7.8).
Looking towards 2015, the Eagles get a pump in the arm at the QB position via the grad transfer route as 6'5" gunner Patrick Towles comes in from Kentucky, where he started 22 games in his 3 years at UK. He was a Parade All-American in HS and Mr. Football in the Blue Grass Commonwealth. He threw for just over 5K yards and 24 TD's, though also 24 INT's.
RB John Hilliman returns after breaking his foot in Week 4 last year. His backup who became the starter, Sr, Tyler Rouse, also returns. FB Bobby Wolford when the Eagles choose to go with a 2-back backfield returns for his final season. They will mix it up. 3 of their 5 interior O-Linemen return along with a starter at TE and WR. So, they return at least 7 starters and then throw in a significant upgrade at the QB position where they suffered a season ago.
I don't expect BC's offense to all of a sudden become a juggernaut overnight, but they should definitely be significantly better in '16 than '15. Of course, it is difficult to be much worse. Certainly, they can move the chains far better which should help their excellent defense even more as that great unit a season ago was on the field far too often because of the inept offense. Tech's defense had better be ready and not take this Eagles offense lightly as you know their guys are hungry for some success after what they went through last year. And, Mr. Towles likely has something to prove as well. Add in a new offensive coordinator, Scot Loeffler, who comes in after 3 years under Beamer at Va Tech, and you have even more things for Ted Roof to consider when prepping for this game.
BC Defense: As bad as their offense was a year ago, the defense was outstanding. How outstanding? Try #1 in the nation in total defense. Yeah, THAT outstanding. They miserly gave up 254.3 yds per game and 4.07 yards per play (also tops in the nation). They were 4th in the nation in pts allowed per game at 15.3. The Clemson offensive juggernaut scored 34 pts on BC at Death Valley. Remember Notre Dame's good offense? They only beat BC 19-16 late in the season at Fenway Park. FSU could only score 14 on BC at Chestnut Hill early last season, but the Noles D shut out BC's offense. That same Duke team who scored 34 on us could only muster 9 at Durham in a 9-7 win over BC the following week after beating us.
Looking ahead HC Addazio did lose his D-Coord., Don Brown, to Michigan. In steps Jim Reid, entering his 43rd year of college coaching, who has an outstanding background most recently as linebackers coach at Iowa the past 3 years and D-Coord. at Virginia for 3 years before that. He will have plenty to work with as the Eagles return some starters and should be very good in their front 7. Reid just needs to avoid screwing up a good thing. BC flourished a year ago with lots of different looks and bringing lots of pressure. While it is unlikely they will be able to duplicate their dominance of a season ago, they still should be very good and likely the best unit on the field at Dublin...perhaps by far even. If Tech's offensive line doesn't function well against BC, it will be a party in Tech's backfield on almost every play.
What I Expect To Happen: This is a very tough spot for the Jackets. There are tons of question marks offensively - and defensively for that matter - and it is the first game of the season of course for both teams...and, 5 time zones away. While I expect Tech to eventually be better in '16, I also think BC will be much better as well. I say "eventually" on purpose regarding Tech because it may take a few weeks/games for Tech's offense to start moving chains and scoring. Tech obviously has a weapon in Sr. Harrison Butker and that could be a difference-maker in what should be a low-scoring, tight ball game from opening kickoff to final buzzer. The average fan may view this early game in the U.S. as a bit of a snoozer, but when the 4Q rolls around it should make for some good drama due to an expected close game that may go down to the wire. Tech opened as 4-pt favorites at some early openings at books. I have to unfortunately go with BC because I think they will have the best unit on the field in their defense, Tech's offense won't be ready to deal with their defense, and Tech's defense is suspect. I expect BC's offense to be significantly better in '16 and they'll score just enough to win this opener - and a league opener to boot... BC wins 20-16. Tech moves to 0-1/0-1.
