Syracuse and Boston College enter Saturday’s matchup in Chestnut Hill coming off of polar opposite games. The Orange pulled off an improbable win against previously 17th ranked Virginia Tech, who routed BC 49-0 earlier this year. As for the Eagles, they are coming off of a bye week, but the last time they took the field, BC got smoked 56-10 on their own turf against then third ranked Clemson. Boston College is the lone team in the Atlantic division without an ACC win and is in the midst of a ten game conference dry spell. The Eagles have stayed afloat thanks to a stellar defense, but remain in the basement of the ACC with one of the nation’s worst offenses.
Offensively, the Eagles have been atrocious. The unit is the country’s eighth worst in terms of total offense. Boston College is one of two teams (Stanford being the other) in the FBS that has yet to eclipse the millennial mark in both rushing and passing yards. The Eagles stress the ground game, running the ball nearly two thirds of the time. BC has gotten out to a 3-3 record largely thanks to playing a soft non-conference schedule. In the Eagles three losses (all of which came against ACC opponents), the team has scored three total touchdowns. Against non-conference opponents, BC has scored 14 times. Along with the lack of scoring against ACC foes, Boston College has turned the ball over seven times in its three conference games.
On the other side of the ball, BC ranks fourth in total defense. However, that comes as a result of its schedule. In conference matchups, the Eagles have allowed 405 yards per game as opposed to fewer than 100 against those out of the ACC. The team is also being outscored by almost 100 points in conference. When the competition stiffens, Boston College tends to fold. With a potent Orange offense coming to town, Syracuse should be able to effectively move the ball both on the ground and through the air.
Overall, the Eagles success is a bit deceptive. Meanwhile, the Orange has had a couple of impressive games, even though they have ended in losses. Vegas views Syracuse as an underdog coming into Saturday, but the sharps out west might be a little too high on BC.
