Boston College Football

Virginia Tech vs. Boston College

Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
Place: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
TV: ABC

Last Meeting

The Eagles beat the Hokies, 28-23 on Oct. 18 in Chestnut Hill...the Hokies did not score an offensive touchdown, but had two interception returns for touchdowns...the Hokies were held to 240 total yards, including 110 yards rushing by quarterback Tyrod Taylor...this was the game that turned me against offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring and was the inspiration for the "VT Offensive Word of the Day" which ran earlier this season on this very blog.

Trends

The Hokies have won their last two games...the Eagles have won four consecutive games...Boston College has won three of its last four meetings with the Hokies...the one VT win came in last year's ACC title game in Jacksonville.

What to Expect

There won't be a lot of offense, obviously. Both teams are good field, no hit.

What offense either team does have will come on the ground. The Hokies will try to establish the run between the tackles with Darren Evans, but we all saw how well that worked back in October. Again, the rushing yards will have to come from Tyrod Taylor, who looked good against the Wahoos and ran for over 100 yards running from his life the last time we played BC.

The Eagles are without Chris Crane, which is a blessing and a curse. Crane had a tendency to cost the Eagles games, but could also lead them to wins with his arm. He did both against the Hokies earlier in the year when he threw three picks, two of which went for touchdowns, but made enough key throws to win.

The Hokies are much better on kick and punt coverage than they were the last time these two teams played. That could come into play.

The Hokies Win If...

They don't turn the ball over and don't give up big plays on defense.

The Eagles Win If...

They establish the run with Montel Harris and force Tyrod Taylor to make mistakes.

Dot-dot-dots...

The Hokies have held their last five opponents under 250 total yards...the Hokies have not allowed a punt return of more than 12 yards since Rich Gunnell's 65-yard TD return Oct. 18...the Hokies had a season-high 176 passing yards in last week's game against UVa...after seven consecutive games with at least two field goals, Dustin Keys has made one in his last three games.

The ACC championship is now only just under four days away to what has become de ja vu. It seems like it was only one year ago that Boston College lost to Virginia Tech in Tampa, Florida. Oh wait, that's because it was, but this season is different, and Boston College will take red-shirt freshman quarterback Dominique Davis and his eagles to the Orange Bowl.

Virginia Tech should never have made it into the ACC championship game, much like the Boston College Eagles were not even predicted to finish in the top-three in the ACC standings, let alone a repeat trip to Tampa. Virginia Tech was clearly outplayed and out-ranked by Georgia Tech, but due to the tie breaker game rule, Virgina Tech moves one to its second consecutive ACC championship game.

This Saturday will prove to be a lot of things for both teams. A Virginia Tech win will prove that Tyrod Taylor has a place in the VT depth chart next season. A Boston College win puts the possibility of Dominique Davis becoming an in-and-out QB sharing the role with the impressive Chris Crane (who is out with a broken collar bone).

This game is a real toss-up and despite Boston College defeating VT earlier in the season, this a much different looking team on both ends. The following keys to success are what Boston College is going to need in order to stamp its ticket to the Orange Bowl.

Boston College

1. Dominique Davis can not run the ball on third down. The red-shirt freshman was relatively impressive as far as his game managing and time consuming drives were concerned but failed scrambled pocket scurries up the middle were unsuccessful.
2. Passing Game over Running Game. The passing offense of Boston College is ranked 100th in the nation out passing VT by about 40 yards per game. Virginia Tech clearly has Boston College beat on the ground, where both teams are ranked evenly, VT outruns ACC opponents at a ratio of 1.5 to 1 in 2008.
3. Score Early, but Finish Strong. Where Boston College does not hold a clear advantage in any NCAA rankings over VT besides penalties committed, is averaging five points more per game. This was the problem last week for BC, it needs to finish the game. If it wasn't for a late interception returned for a touchdown, I might be talking about Florida State playing in this game.

This 2008 ACC championship is going to be close and low scoring. My prediction is BC by a late touchdown on a drive by Dominique Davis, after a big fourth down stop by Mark Herzlich and the BC defense.

Since the defection of the old Big East teams, Miami and Virginia Tech in 2004 and Boston College in 2005, these three have done nothing but dominate ACC Football.

This weekend the fourth ACC Championship game will be played in Tampa.  Virginia Tech will be making its third appearance, Boston College its third.

More than the appearances in the championship games, the overall records of these teams since joining the ACC can be described in two words...totally dominating!

Virginia Tech is 33-9, Boston College is 21-12 and Miami is 21-19.  This adds up to 75-50 overall, a winning percentage of 60.

The original Big East Conference was constantly ridiculed for being the weakest of the six BCS conferences, but since the three have joined the ACC, we have seen just how weak the ACC would be without their addition.

What's more impressive is that since the "Big Three" have defected, contrary to what most people predicted, the Big East has flourished in football.

The Big East, appearing on the brink of folding, regrouped and added Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida.  Since the realignment, the Big East has won three BCS games and the ACC has won none.

What about basketball?  What have the defections meant in terms of the basketball programs for both conferences?

The ACC will always continue to be a great basketball conference and Boston College and now Miami are making strong contributions.

As for the Big East....As of yesterday when the latest AP poll was released the Big East had eight teams ranked in the top 25.   They've become the second best league in the country.

The NBA is still the best!

As a Boston College Alumni, and the brother of an Auburn Alum, I have seen my fair share of both teams over the last eight years.  My "Superfan" shirt is often complimented by a "War Eagle" hat on Saturdays just to show my fandom and, in all honesty, their secondary logo looks more fierce than our primary. 

Truth be told, the Boston College Eagles do not have much in common with the Tigers of Auburn.  Jordan Hare stadium is nearly twice the size of Alumni, situated in a rural college town as opposed to a rich, snobby Boston suburb. 

Their fan base is rapid and tailgates for days, whereas Eagles' fans get in about three hours of grilling, if the weather is good.  Up until this year, the SEC's strength over the ACC could be substantiated with statistics and facts, though this years Sagarin rankings and this weeks 3-1, ACC over SEC record tell a different tale.

After watching my beloved Eagles battle their way to the ACC Championship Game for the second straight year, though, I have noticed a glaring similarity between this team and the Auburn Tigers back in the days when they won the Iron Bowl and played on New Years Day (or eve): a running back who does not give up.

When I first watched "Cadillac" Williams in 2001 on television, and in person, people remarked that "his feet just keep moving," "that he does give up after contact," and that "he plows right through that line."  People were in awe of his tenacity and the sheer force that he ran with; it was, after all, what made him such a sought after recruit. 

At the end of his freshman year, while sharing time at running back for a team that went on to lose in the Peach Bowl to UNC, he went on to average 68.2 yards per game over nine games.  The 5'11" Williams amassed 614 total yards in 120 attempts and six for touchdowns.  Though he set no school records that season, his totals of 741 attempts and 45 TDs were, as well as his 17 individual six-pointers his junior season.

As Cadillac put together a record career at Auburn, eclipsing the likes of Bo Jackson, a six-hour drive southeast was young Montel Harris, gearing up for an lightly heralded high school career. 

Unlike Williams, Montel was not on the ESPN Watchlist, nor was he on many teams radars.  At one inch shorter than Williams, Harris only earned 2nd Team Honors at Trinity Christian Academy and was satisfied with a full-ride to Duke.  That was until one Jeffrey Jagodzinski came a'knocking.

Two weeks were left until national signing day when Montel Harris switched his pledge to Boston College, in a similar fashion to when Cadillac Williams dumped Tennessee.  Spurned by other FBS schools, Boston College has been delighted with the results as Harris has played with an inspiration unrivaled by Cadillac.  

Behind an Offensive Line that was said to be a team weakness coming into the season, the running back, a true freshman, has gained 798 yards hard fought yards.  While the team has played 12 games total, he has only managed 10 or more carries in six games.  That is because Harris, a two star recruit, is sharing time with Josh Haden, the BC tattoo'ed brother of a UF cornerback that came out of high school with four stars. 

Starting the season as number 2 on the depth chart was no issue for Harris, neither was stepping up when Haden got hurt in the third game of the year.  In that game, Montel rushed thirteen times for 112 yards and caught three passes. 

ESPN considers his "coming out party" his 9th game of the year, against his hometown Florida State Seminoles.  Here, Harris became known on national television, just like Cadillac jumped from No. 3 on the Auburn depth chart in the 8th game of his freshman season.

While Cadillac's season ended the next game, after carrying the ball 41 times, Harris has trudged on at No. 2 on the depth charts.  He followed up FSU with only 9 carries for 30 yards the next week and, after Haden was re-injured, put together a stellar game against Maryland.

This past weekend, in a game to decide the ACC Atlantic Champion, Harris put together his third 100+ yard rushing game, bouncing off of tackles, returning kicks, and catching one pass. 

On one particular play, he carried a Maryland defender on his back from the line for four additional yards until three other players assisted the tackle.  Harris needed fewer than 100 yards to break a freshman rushing record, and he annihilated it. 

While Harris may not have the stars or recognition that Williams did, he is certainly on his way.  Highlight reel plays and an NFL salary look more than certain in his future, and the Eagles future looks brighter because of it. 

In his breakout game, the announcers did not make any comparisons.  I am sure they never dawned on them.  There may even be more appropriate ones; however, for this writer there is one image ingrained in my memory that Harris brings up every time he touches the ball.  The manner in which Harris plows through lines, shifts axis and shakes off defenders is reminiscent of only one collegiate running back: Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.

In 2001, the car company Cadillac debuted the Escalade as Auburn featured a new star running back, now playing in the NFL.  In 2008, Boston College has found its way into the ACC Championship game behind questionable lines, numerous injuries, and a team of "over achievers." 

While the winner of the MVP award for the Super Bowl rolls of in a new Cadillac, win or lose on on Saturday, Boston College will roll out of Tampa with it's own, brand new Cadillac.

Hundreds of thousands of high school students play football for their respective schools. Out of this group of young men, a few thousand will be recruited and accept a scholarship at a top-tier 1A college program. An even smaller number of these college football players will have the opportunity to play professionally, in the either the NFL, CFL, or Europe. Some people are destined for greatness and there are a lucky few who are able to sit back and watch it along the way.

Ryan Glasper, recently signed safety for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, is the main focus and inspiration behind this article. Glasper played his high school football at Southington High School in Connecticut and then went on to play four years at Boston College.

He is best known for this performance in the 2005 MPC Computers Bowl as the BC Eagles defeated Boise State. Glasper had two interceptions, one in which he intercepted a pass in the end zone with 37 seconds to go and gave the Eagles the win. Recently, Glasper filed for Free Agency from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL and signed with the aforementioned Argonauts.

Glasper grew up in New Britain, CT and came to play at Southington High School when he moved in with head football coach Jude Kelly. Since the first time that Glasper stepped on to Fontana Field in Southington, CT, people could see that he was something special.

In his illustrious high school career, Glasper was a running back, punt returner, kick returner, wide-receiver, quarterback, and strong safety. As they say, this guy did it all. He still holds high school records on longest return for touchdowns and longest play from scrimmage.

From the first time I saw him play, I knew that Ryan was going to be a star. I was in eighth grade and Friday nights in Autumn were all about going to see the high school football game. There were plenty of stars on the team, but nobody brought more excitement to the crowd than Glasper did. I can remember thinking, even in 8th grade, that I couldn't wait to get to high school and meet this guy.

During my freshman year of high school, I finally had that opportunity. I went right over and introduced myself to Ryan and told him that I was a huge fan. At first, he treated me like a nobody and just went on his way. However, as I got more involved with the school and the football team, Ryan began to notice me. There was no question that I was his biggest fan, knew his weekly statistics better than he did, and began to meet his family and closest friends.

Ryan also played on the high school basketball team, which I was the manager of, and the track team. Because I was the varsity manager, we spent basketball season together too. By the end of my freshman year of high school, we were friends.

During his senior year of high school, my sophomore year, Ryan was elected captain of our football team. I played as a sophomore tackle and he was the senior quarterback/wide receiver/safety. It could not have been a more different pair of friends, but I was now more than just a fan. I was his teammate! I could watch this stud from the sidelines now and see him make plays up close.

Ryan went on to win all-conference and all-state honors that year. Still, we would go out after the games and even show up at some parties together. I was the most excited person to find out that Ryan had signed a letter of intent to play for the Boston College Eagles.

Football season ended, but that meant basketball season began. I managed the varsity team again and Glasper played on it. We went through the same routine as we had the previous year, but this time it was different. It was more of a friend relationship, rather than a fan and player type of thing. I was proud to be able to tell people that he was my friend and I had his cell phone number (which I still have and use from time to time).

After high school, Ryan went on to Boston College and immediately made an impact as a starter in their defensive backfield. Even though he was bothered by injury, Glasper started for four years at BC and won all four bowl games that he appeared in.

After Boston College, he tried out for a few NFL teams but went un-drafted. Glasper went on to suit up for the Hamilton-Tiger Cats, but left them in October for Toronto. Even though people don't pay attention to the CFL here, it's still professional football.

This article was not written to highlight Ryan Glasper or to try to show that I know a professional athlete. The article is meant to show that these types of stories are found in every high school in the United States.

Every star player started as just another high school player and then went on to bigger and better things. Behind every star, there were guys who never got to play. There are guys who played alongside them, but never made it past high school. There are guys who sat next to them in classes and guys who tutored them to make sure they didn't become academically ineligible.

Ryan Glasper is one of my favorite professional athletes and he is someone that I'm honored to call a friend. Ryan represents thousands of athletes around the nation and it's an honor to have a small part in his success story. While there are millions of others who can tell a similar story, each one of them is just slightly different. These are the stories that make these athletes normal people. Southington is proud of Ryan Glasper and so am I.

Starting with Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia: That brown chunky stuff on your football cleats isn’t crumbs from an early holiday feast.

Well...noooo, it’s puke. As in “puked on your shoes.” All three managed to play themselves out of the chase on Saturday.

Meanwhile over in the world of nice, clean, and not horrible-smelling shoes, we have Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Boston College.

If the Hokies beat Virginia on Saturday in Blacksburg, they will take the trip to Tampa for the Dr. Pepper Bowl (the ACC Championship Game) on Dec. 6 in Tampa, Fla.

If the Hokies lose, Georgia Tech wins the Coastal division, thanks to the losses Saturday by UNC and Virginia.

Unfortunately, the Noles have a date next Saturday with one of the best teams in the country—Florida. Ouch.

The Eagles of Boston College knew what they had to do, win. If BC wins out they will represent the ACC Atlantic title. BC and Virginia Tech are the only remaining teams that can control their own destiny.

A game that BC probably should have won easily turned into a struggle when 5th year senior Chris Crane went down with a broken collar bone. Prior to the injury Crane had a good game going for himself.

Enter redshirt freshman Dominique Davis, who had played in just two games prior to his entry in the game. It was a struggle for Davis the whole game when he fumbled twice and both fumbles lead to Wake Forest Touchdowns.

Davis was able to settle down and make enough key throws late in the nine play, 70 yard drive, which was capped off by a Davis sneak for a TD. Davis finished the game 13-23 for 103 yards. BC keeps its hopes alive by winning.

For Wake Forest, they have been eliminated from Orange bowl contention. Wake Forest had just one offensive score on the night and they were fortunate it wasn't a BC blowout.

BC can go to the ACC championship game with a home win against Maryland next week. If BC looses than Florida State will represent the Atlantic division.

For BC there is much work to do...Davis needs to work on his ball security and decision making. Davis made some promising throws. 

I believe that if Chris Crane wasn't injured in this one, well it would have been a blowout. I don't think Crane would have fumbled on those plays. As for the punt block...we knew it would happen eventually the way that they were flying into the backfield.

Montel Harris had a quite game, BC must of thought that Haden would be more successful against the Wake D.  

I took away 5 things from this game:

1. BC's defense can stop anyone at anytime
2. The game never should have been close
3. Wake's offense is the most overrated in a while
4. Davis showed signs of greatness, but needs alot of work
5. It looks like Crane's season is over (I don't know how collar bone injuries work).

I want to leave the rest of this article open to discussion.

Sure, you can say the ACC has been down the past few years, but you cannot say that it hasn't been competitive. The ACC is easily the most equal conference in the nation.

If Duke had an ACC win, then that shows a lot. If every week the three teams that get ranked lose, then it is very equal.

The ACC has created an interesting season rather than a predictable one. The ACC may not be great for its talent, but it is sure great for its competitiveness.

It may not be drawing in huge crowds of fans and prime time TV events, but it has created a competitive environment.

Every game, every week is worth watching. One can guarantee a good game to watch on any given day in the ACC.

With this being said, the ACC is still wide open and up for grabs. So, who wants it more? These teams went through two a days in 100 degree heat, these teams hit hard, if the ref gets in their way, they hit him too.

The ACC has to sweat just like they do, hit just like they do, and play like they can. This is the mindset the ACC needs. College football thinks the ACC is a little-girl conference, which it has shown to be, but someone needs to ask them, whats wrong with y'all? 

The ACC still has a chance to prove they are in a decent conference in this final week and bowl season.

The ACC Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech 5-3
2. North Carolina 5-3
3. Georgia Tech 5-3
4. Miami 5-3
5. Virginia 3-5
6. Duke 1-7 

The ACC Atlantic Division
1. Boston College 5-3
2. Maryland 5-3
3. Wake Forest 4-4
4. Florida State 4-4
5. Clemson 4-4
6. NC State 2-6

The Remaining Games and Picks
Clemson @ Virginia: Clemson
NC State @ UNC: UNC
BC @ Wake: BC
Duke @ VT: VT
FSU @ Maryland: Maryland
Maryland @ BC: BC
Miami @ NC State: Miami
UNC @ Duke: UNC
Virginia @ Virginia Tech: VT

As you can see, not that many games remain...The ACC will be decided by tie breakers. As you can see, I predict a rematch of last years Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game.

At the beginning of the year, I predicted an FSU-Miami showdown in the ACC championship game.

I predict BC will win the ACC Championship Game this year. They won't go just to play this year, they will go to win.

The ACC has showed that they have the abilities to be a good conference. The ACC had a tough year with the non-conference games vs. teams from other BCS conferences, but throughout the ACC campaign, they have made each other stronger and tougher. They have built clear eyes and full hearts.

I'm usually not big on the whole "which conference is the best" thing, but let's just say the ACC needs this one, so this one goes out to all the ACC fans, supporters, athletes, coaches, and especially haters:

Stop reading the news clippings. You're small and you're going to be smaller every week. There ain't going to be no growth spurt between now and the bowl game.

You're going to use your minds! You're going to play with your heart! And that is what you're going to use to win those games against BCS teams...

What's wrong with y'all? Y'all are playin' like some little girls! Y'all act like you never played football before! These guys are nothin'!

They bleed just like we do, and sweat just like we do. They went through two-a-days. We went through two-a-days in 110 degree heat. I want you to hit everything that moves!

If the ref gets in your way, you hit him! They're cheatin' us too! They're against us, too. This is our team. This is us! Let's go right now! Let's get it off now and let's go! 

So Haters, Take Two Steps Back!

It's simple, the winner of this one will go on to play for the ACC Atlantic division title. These teams are coming from different stories and different sides of the ball.

Wake Forest came into this year with high expectations. They had a solid start to their season, but since then it has been all down hill.

Wake Forest was praised for their offense in the preseason, with the return of Junior quarterback Riley Skinner, a third year starter, and sophomore running back Josh Adams, who rushed for 953 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Wake currently ranks 101st in the nation in total offense and 98th in scoring offense.

On the other hand Skinner has had a decent year for himself. He's completed 64% of his passes for 1,882 yards and has more than twice as many TD passes (11) as interceptions (5). Skinner has yet to have that true breakout game (350, four TD).

His top passing performance this year was 232 in an OT win verse Duke. He has yet to pass for more than two TDs in a game this year. You can't put the weight on Skinner, especially considering the lack of a rushing attack.

Josh Adams and Freshman Brandon Pendergrass are averaging just 3.6 and 3.3 yards per carry, respectively. They have combined for just six touchdowns. Adams has missed two of the last three with an ankle sprain.

On the receiving note, Wake has had a bit of a bright spot...DJ Boldin has caught 63 for 622 and three TDs. The problem for Boldin has been a break out game. His game high for receiving yards this season is just 89 in an OT win verse Duke. 

The O-line hasn't helped at all. Wake's O-line ranks 102nd in the nation in sacks allowed per game...On average, Skinner goes down two and 1/2 times a game. 

On the other side of the ball Wake has been more than solid. Wake is 28th in the nation in total defense and 18th in scoring defense. Wake has been better against the run (27th), than the pass (48th).

Cornerback Alphonso Smith is top in the nation amongst interception leaders with 5 picks. Kevin Paterson has added in four picks. Wake is ranked 3rd in turnover margin (+ 14). Aaron Curry is ranked 21st in the nation for tackles for a loss. The reason for Wake's success on defense: They start seven seniors and two juniors and eight members of Wake Forest's starting defense have at least 20 career starts. 

Bottom line:  After beating Clemson on October 9th, the Demon Deacons were 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. Since that time, Wake Forest is 2-3 with one of those victories coming in overtime against Duke (the other win was 28-17 over Virginia).

Wake not only lost 26-0 to Maryland but also lost to Navy earlier in the season. Last week, they lost to North Carolina State. The bottom line: Wake Forest is not playing very good football.

For BC, the people in Las Vegas weren't impressed by BC's win at FSU. Wake comes into the game as a two point favorite. BC has also struggled on offense this year, but it's understood. BC is still in the process of getting Chris Crane broken in. However they have shown a strong running attack with two true freshman Montell Harris and Josh Haden.

BC's success has come with the defense and special teams. BC has been intercepting balls left and right. They intercepted Claussen four times and Ponder three.

This game has defensive battle written all over it. A BC defense that has given up just 17 points in the past two weeks will face a Wake Forest offense that has had trouble moving the ball and scoring points this season. On the other side of the ball, BC's offense has been improving but putting up points against this talented and experienced Wake defense will not be easy.

This game, like most ACC games this season, will likely come down to turnovers. Wake Forest has created nearly twice as many turnovers (29) as they have committed (15) and BC leads the ACC in interceptions (21) so one would expect some big plays and maybe some scoring from the defenses.

BC has played excellent football the past nine quarters while Wake Forest has struggled. BC appears to be the better team right now but this is the ACC where it is impossible to predict anything from week to week. 

BC 27-10

Miscellaneous

BC holds a 7-6-1 advantage over Wake Forest in the all-time series. Wake is 3-2 in the last five years against BC.

Fourteen former Wake Forest players currently play in the NFL.

Wake CB Alphonso Smith is second in ACC history in pass interceptions with 19. North Carolina's Dre Bly had 20 between 1996 and 1998.

Wake Forest has been outscored 69-44 in the fourth quarter this season. They have outscored opponents 60-38 in the first quarter.

Wake Forest is eight for 16 in fourth down conversions this season.

On Saturday, the worst thing that could happen to the ACC happened. All three of their ranked teams LOST.

In the early afternoon, 16th-ranked North Carolina fell to the Maryland Terrapins, who are now 7-3.

Then, 24th-ranked Wake Forest fell to the much weaker North Carolina State, a surprising win but not an upset.

Then in the nightcap on national television, Boston College gave the 19th-ranked Florida State Seminoles the iron fist, and raised themselves to 7-3.

A thing to remember

Though one of these teams will probably ranked through the week, the thought of this happening shows what that the ACC is anyone who plays hard.

The worst teams in the ACC are still both 4-6 (Duke and NC State). It seems a new team in the conference is ranked each week.

Here is what is happening with Matt Ryan gone, and the Virginia Tech boys without the cause of re-identifying themselves after the school's tragedy.

This year, it's a new quarterback at BC, a five-game winning streak in Miami, and a Duke that WINS???? My eyes must be deceiving me, yet here this happens week after week.

No one is impressed with the ACC this year. It's a shame, because there is a reason they aren't getting a lot of ranked teams. They are all too equal.

No one has stepped up and said "Hey, we're going to the Orange Bowl." Yesterday proved that this race isn't over until the conference championship in Tampa Bay.

66 percent of the teams have a winning percentage of .600 or better. No one has a worse one then .400.

None of that will matter as this weekend comes. When Wake Forest plays Boston College, Miami plays Georgia Tech, and Florida State plays Maryland anything could happen.

This will be a deciding weekend for the conference game, but if no one breaks out with a huge win, it's back to the same old equal platform.