ACC Blogger Football Preview Countdown – Atlantic #2: BC

Posted by Brandon Rink on July 9, 2010 under ACC Football | Read the First Comment

With a favorable schedule in 2010, will the Eagles take advantage?

BC wants a number of these TD celebrations en route to an ACC title.

Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 ACC)
Returning Starters: 16 (8 on offense and 7 on defense; 1 on special teams)
Schedule Difficulty in ACC: 12th.
Offense Rides On… Replacing Gunnell at WR. Gunnell was the go-to receiver last season and whoever is QBing the Eagles in ’10 will have to find a suitable replacement for that key catch.
Defensive Deficiency: Secondary – Eagles were 71st in the nation in pass defense last season and lose two starters from the secondary.
Keyword: Montel – Harris. The RB job is all junior Montel Harris and his success is directly tied to BC’s this season.

Position by Position Grades (2009 Stats)

QB: B-
MVP: Dave Shinskie (2,049 passing yards with 14 TDs/15 INTs)
Gotta Step-Up: Mike Marscovetra (135 passing yards with 2 TDs/1 INTs)

RB: A
MVP: Montel Harris (1,457 rushing yards and 14 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Rolandan Finch (134 yards and 1 TD)

WR/TE: B-
MVP: Colin Larmond Jr. (596 receiving yards and 5 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Billy Flutie (48 receiving yards and 2 TDs)

OL: B+
MVP: LT Anthony Castonzo
Gotta Step-Up: C Nathan Richman

DL: B
MVP: DT Damik Scafe (35 tackles[6 for loss], 2 sacks)
Gotta Step-Up: DE Alex Albright (32 tackles[7 for loss], 1 sack)

LB: B+
MVP: Luke Kuechly (158 tackles, 13 for loss)
Gotta Step-Up: Nick Clancy (17 tackles, 1.5 for loss)

Sec: B-
MVP: FS Wes Davis (46 tackles[2 for loss], 3 INTs)
Gotta Step-Up: CB Donnie Fletcher (51 tackles[.5 for loss], 1 INT)

K/P: C+
MVP: Ryan Quigley (40.8 average per punt and long of 61)
Gotta Step-Up: K Nate Freese (Redshirted)

Schedule Analysis + W/Ls

-
Bye Week: Before Virginia Tech, September 25.
Toughest Game: at Florida State, October 16.
Key Conference Game:  Virginia Tech, September 25.
Season Hinges on… at Florida State, October 16.

The Why…

Why Second?: The little Northern school in the ACC can play some ball – they have been one of the most consistent programs in the ACC since expansion and return a number of key starters. The offense rides on the legs of one Montel Harris in the backfield as the receivers are inexperienced and the QB situation is less than settled. The schedule is one of the easier in the ACC as they have one big road and home game with a number of conference cupcakes and/or favorable situations lining the rest of the schedule. Ultimately, BC is 1B in the Atlantic and the road trip to Florida State is where their shot at the Atlantic rides on.

Could be higher if… Really simple, BC goes 7-1 and they finish first, but even in the Matt Ryan era, the Eagles couldn’t do that. Other option is to take Florida State on the road and reach at least 6 wins.

Could be lower if…Harris has a so-so season, defense underperforms, and the QB spot is a disappointment.

 Loading ...

Will the Eagles take the Atlantic in 2010? If the Eagles fall to no. 2, can they get a better bowl than Shreveport? Offer your thoughts on BC in the comments…

Previews So far…

Coastal #5: Duke
Atlantic #4: Maryland
Coastal #3: Miami
Atlantic #3: Clemson
Coastal #4: UNC
Intro to the Countdown