The Sports Inquirer

 

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Music to listen to: Kings and Queens by Aerosmith

Last Season: Behind Heisman Trophy finalist and Doak Walker award winner Andre Williams, the Eagles won seven contests behind first-year head coach Steve Addazio and returned to the postseason after a two-win campaign in 2012. Boston College ended the season with a 42-19 loss to Arizona in the AdvoCare V100 Bowl.

 

Offense: The Eagles will obviously have to replace Williams, who rushed for 2,177 yards last season and became only the 16th running back in FBS history to go north of 2,000 yards in a single campaign. Boston College will use multiple backs led by sophomore Myles Willis to fill the void of the departed senior. Wide receiver will be an even bigger void to fill.

 

At quarterback, the Eagles will rely on Florida transfer Tyler Murphy to replace departed Chase Rettig. Murphy brings athleticism and the ability to extend plays but lacks strong throwing ability. Addazio and Murphy have an extensive history dating back to Florida and will know how to use the new quarterback best.

 

The Eagles are known to produce strong offensive line units and this year will most likely not be an exception despite losing starting tackles Matt Patchan and Ian White. The good news is that the interior of the line, led by All-ACC candidate at center Andy Gallik returns. Boston College likes to run the ball consistently and that won’t change despite personnel.

 

Defense: The Eagles turnaround in 2013 was in large part due to increased production from the defensive unit, gaining 35 sacks last season compared to six in 2012. This season sees the departure of six starters from the front seven; defensive linemen Kaleb Ramsey, Jaryd Rudolph,  Dominic Appiah, and All-ACC performer Kasim Edebali in addition to linebackers Steele Divitto and Kevin Pierre-Louis. Expect the roles of linebacker Steven Daniels, who had 88 tackles last season to increase as the only returning starter.

 

All four defensive backs return but it’s also the same unit that finished last in the ACC in pass defense.

 

Coaching: Boston College isn’t a glamorous program in the college football landscape. That’s the reality of the situation and you need a coach that comprehends this and can actually cultivate it. Addazio fits this profile with promoting sturdy play on the line of scrimmage by running the ball on offense and attacking the quarterback on defense. He produced one of the better coaching jobs in 2013 with the Eagles and the right guy to help rebuild the program this season.

 

Schedule:

 

8/30	at Massachusetts
9/5	Pittsburgh
9/13	Southern California
9/20	Maine
9/27	Colorado State
10/11	at North Carolina State
10/18	Clemson
10/25	at Wake Forest
11/1	at Virginia Tech
11/8	Louisville
11/22	at Florida State
11/29	Syracuse

You see that correctly. The Eagles don’t leave the state of Massachusetts October 11. They have the possibility of being 5-1 heading into its contest at NC State on Oct. 11. The major swing games are at Wake Forest on Oct. 25 and the regular-season finale against Syracuse which will most likely determine bowl eligibility for the Eagles.

First memory: I’m too young to remember Doug Flutie but know exactly where I was in 1993 when Boston College defeated Noter Dame and ruined the Irish’s chances for a national title. Look at a younger Tom Coughlin as head coach of the Eagles.

Favorite alum:

BC has a strong alumni list to pick from but how can you go wrong with Ed McMahon? Here’s the man’s list of accomplishments:

 

• World War II and Korean War veteran
• comedic genius on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
• hosted Star Search
• co-hosted the underrated TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes with Dick Clark
• 41 appearances on the MDA Jerry Lewis telethon. 41!
• Endorsed Cash4Gold

 

That’s a badass life and professional career if I’ve ever seen one. Honorable mention: Chris O’Donnel, John O’Mara, Gary Gulman, Kofi Kingston, Bob Ryan, Leonard Nemoy

 

Celebrity alumni crush:

Didn’t think this list would be strong during initial research but its not bad at all. I enjoy the humor of Amy Poehler so she wins in a slight upset over Alison Haislip. Honorable mention: Lori Trespicio (cast member of Real World New York and Lesley Visser

 

Overall outlook: The Eagles have firmly found themselves in the middle class of the ACC. While they aren’t as good consistently as Florida State, Clemson and Virginia Tech, they’re not the worst team in the conference. An eight-win season would be incredible but a five-win campaign seems more realistic. If BC wins one of its swing games on the schedule, a return to the postseason isn’t out of the question.