2007 Boston College Football Preview

This could possibly be the most ridiculously biased thing I've ever written, but I love it. For a team-by-team breakdown of the football powerhouse known as the Atlantic Coast Conference, and other college football projections, go to sportsprojections.com.

Enjoy! Matt Ryan, if you're reading this, I hope you realize my expectations of you are way too high. But you've been the best QB BC has had since, yikes, Doug Flutie. So just go out there and play. If you could win the ACC in the process, that'd be fab.

Last year record: 10-3, 5-3 in the ACC

Last Year Summary: The Boston College Eagles finished 2006 with an exciting last second win over Navy in the Meineke Bowl. Although the season ended on a high note, the Eagles can’t help but think of what could have been. Upset losses to NC State and Miami tarnished what could have been a season that truly put the program on the map. They finished second in the conference behind surprising Wake Forest. Junior quarterback Matt Ryan earned 1 st team All-ACC honors, and OL Josh Beekman was an All-American.

Returning Starters: 16 (7 on offense, 9 on defense)

Players to Watch This Season: QB Matt Ryan, LB Jolonn Dunbar, DT BJ Raji, DE Nick Larkin, LB Brian Toal, WR Kevin Challenger, RB LV Whitworth

Offensive Strengths: Passing game, wide receivers

Offensive Weaknesses: New zone blocking scheme

Defensive Strengths: Defensive line, linebackers.

Defensive Weaknesses: Secondary.

2007 Projection: 2007 will be a rebuilding season of some sort at the Heights. Under new head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, the Eagles will have new leadership at the top, but leadership on the field is about same. Ryan could be in for a huge year, and may be one of the top quarterbacks in the nation when the season ends. As always, though, the strength of the Eagles will be on defense. ACC Defensive Player of the Year candidate Jolonn Dunbar and the rest of BC’s linebacking corps will be the heart and soul of the team. It will be interesting to see the impact of a new head coach. Former coach Tom O’Brien is the winningest coach in school history, so Coach Jags and the 2007 Eagles have a tough act to follow. The Eagles have won seven consecutive bowl games, the longest active streak in the nation. In 2007, they will look to make it 8.

Big Games of the Year: at Notre Dame, at Virginia Tech, Florida State, at Clemson

2007 Projected Record: 10-2

2007 Projected Bowl (if applicable): Winners of the ACC, BCS bowl

2007 Boston College Football Schedule

W Sept. 1 Wake Forest*

W Sept. 8 North Carolina State*

W Sept. 15 at Georgia Tech*

W Sept. 22 Army

W Sept. 29 Massachusetts (Parents’ Weekend)

W Oct. 6 Bowling Green

W Oct. 13 at Notre Dame

L Oct. 25 (Thurs.) at Virginia Tech*

W Nov. 3 Florida State*

W Nov. 10 at Maryland*

W Nov. 17 at Clemson*

L Nov. 24 Miami*

Denotes ACC Games

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HappyskinnyAll-American

433 days ago

Score 1

I agree that one of their bigger games is against Clemson this year for the simple fact that it is in Death Valley this year, not that I think Clemson is going to be great. However, Clemson should have the qb situation down by then. Either Cullen Harper will have proven he is a good enough qb, or highly touted freshman Willy Korn will have moved in to the starting spot...I do think its going to be tough for BC to win 10 games though. Watch out for that first game with Wake. I do hope they absolutely kill Notre Dame though.

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JuTMSY4Hall of Famer

433 days ago

Score 0

who doesn't hope ND gets crushed... but the catholic bowl is awesome...perhaps the winning coach gets to wear a pope hat?

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MegECass110AAA-er

433 days ago

Score 0

The Catholic Bowl is the best, I've been fortunate enough to go twice. Going to a game in South Bend is literally a religious experience. Even if you hate ND, you have to go just for the atmosphere.

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MegECass110AAA-er

433 days ago

Score 0

I like the fact Clemson could have a starting QB named Willy Korn. When he gets sacked, it will be Korn got creamed. I just gave Brent Musberger his best line for 2007.

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The BeastAAA-er

433 days ago

Score 0

I hate Notre Dame but going to a game in South Bend is truly a great experience.

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MegECass110AAA-er

433 days ago

Score 0

They have been on the fringe for so long; heck, they could have gone 11-1 last year without those two ACC hiccups. The Wake game will be tough, but I feel like they overachieved last year.

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HappyskinnyAll-American

433 days ago

Score 0

Thats true, but to play devils advocate I know from watching the Clemson game that that easily could have been a loss for them. The refs botched the call at the end of the game which should have been an interception and game over for BC. Thats the only BC game I watched last year so I cant really comment on any others.

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MegECass110AAA-er

433 days ago

Score 0

I didn't get to see the Clemson game, only the end. But I know they dominated Virginia Tech and beat a pretty good Florida State team. They still have to beat the Hurricanes-they haven't beaten Miami since Flutie did in the Hail Mary game in 1987.

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HappyskinnyAll-American

433 days ago

Score 0

Wow, I didn't know that its been that long since they beat them. It seems like that game was so long ago. I think they have a good shot this year though.

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MegECass110AAA-er

433 days ago

Score 0

That's what made the Miami loss so tough...it fell on the anniversary of the Flutie game...Matt Ryan was supposed to throw a bomb to win it as time expired...but noooooooooooo. Miami has to get all jacked up for Larry Coker and Bryan Pata. Sheesh, the one time the Hurricanes show some character.

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