2010 NCAA Football Preview: Boston College
Boston College is definitely a unique university. It is only one of two Catholic schools that field a team in division I football. It is one of the oldest programs in the nation, having first started back in 1892. They are also among the tops in academic achievement with one of the higher academic progress rates in the country; from 2005-2007 they were the highest among teams finishing in the top 25.
With history and high standards often comes success, something which the Eagles have been enjoying for more than a decade (the last losing season was in 1998); the team has won at least seven games and won as many as 11.
Head coach Frank Spaziani returns for his second season after leading the team to an 8-5 record and a bowl game in 2009. However, the team had to end the season on the wrong note losing the Emerald Bowl to USC. In his second season it would be easy to say that Spaziani would like nothing more than to take the team back to a bowl game and win.
With some of the players he has coming back it would not be unthinkable for the BC Eagles to improve on the eight wins they got in 2008.
Offense
The offense will likely be heavily in favor of the run in 2010 with the return of running back Montel Harris. Last season he led the way with 308 carries, 1457 yards, and 14 touchdowns. He will benefit greatly from the return of four of his offensive linemen including senior tackle Anthony Castonzo, an all-conference selection from 2009. Junior Nathan Richman could very well be moved over to center with sophomore Emmett Cleary filling in at guard.
Harris may find teams stacking against the run if the passing game does not get any better than it was in 2009. Dave Shinskie completed just over half of his passes (149 of 288) for 2049 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Coaches will be hoping that he will improve on his performance in 2010 and are likely chalking up many of the issues to being a starter as a freshman. If Shinski can develop then the Eagles will be set at a very important position or the next few years.
The work will be a little harder with his go-to guy, Rich Gunnell, no longer on the team. Redshirt freshman Jonathan Coleman could be the guy to step in after looking good in spring practices. Colin Larmond may have only had 29 receptions last year but averaged more than 20 yards a catch.
Defense
The defense should be in good shape even though they are losing a number of starters. Linebacker coach Bill McGovern is also the coordinator and Spaziani had been the coordinator for the last decade.
The team should have one of the best linebacker groups in the nation. All-conference player Luke Kuechly stepped up big as a freshman in 2009 with the loss of 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich. Kuechly made a name for himself quickly by making the second most tackles in the nation (158) as well as the second most solo tackles (87). Combined with a player the caliber of Herzlich, Kuechly may see a slight dip in numbers, but not due to any fault of his. Herzlich sat out last season as he got treatment for a form of cancer. The team is full of quality linebackers that will only be bolstered with the arrival of Kevin Pierre-Louis, one of the hottest prospects from 2010.
The team could stand to get a better pass rush from its returning starters, seniors Alex Albright and Damik Scafe and sophomore max Holloway. Competing for time will also be Brad Newman and Kalen Ramsey.
With the running game that the team has and the solid defense led by some exceptional linebackers, it would not be a shock to see the Eagles play for the ACC championship again. If they could develop a better passing game the chances of winning it would be even greater. As they stand, they will be competitive at least.
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