College Football Predictions – Boston College Eagles 2017 NCAA Football Preview
2016 Recap
2016 Record – 7-6
2016 ATS – 7-6
The Eagles pulled off a Las Vegas-style MAGIC SHOW last season by winning seven games (including a bowl victory) while only scoring 20 points per game and allowing 25. Wut ?
While it is true that their victories included beating a collection of misfits (Massachusetts, Wagner, Buffalo, etc..) Boston College proved to be a tough out when not facing elite or quasi-elite competition.
2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Atlantic Division – #6
Atlantic Coast Conference – To be determined
OFFENSE
Can someone please find a QB ? Someone better than RUDY or the dude from INVINCIBLE.
The QB play in recent years has been abysmal. Injuries have played a role, but generally speaking, the talent level has not been there. This season brings more uncertainty. The reins will likely be handed over to Darius Wade or redshirt freshman Anthony Brown. We will be watching things unfold during the summer.
Senior RB Jon Hilliman has battled injuries during his career but he appears ready to go for one more season. Hilliman ran for 860 yards and 13 TD in 2014. The offensive line looks to be really solid as they return a lot of experience and add in a yuuuuuge grad transfer from West Virginia. The WR group is not flashy but they have experience. They also boast a really good receiving TE in Tommy Sweeney. They just need to find someone to get them the ball.
DEFENSE
The Eagles yielded 25 points per game last season, however, they gave up a bunch in a few blowout losses (49,56,52,45) and played better than you might think. Boston College picked up 47 (!) sacks which ranked them 2nd in the FBS (ahead of ROLL TIDE and CLEMSON) in sacks per game.
The front seven looks to be really strong again in 2017. The Eagles return four starters including star DE Harold Landry who tallied 16.5 sacks last season (#1 FBS) and garnered 4th team AA honors. BC also brings back leading tackler LB Connor Strachan and three of four starters from the 2016 secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Mike Knoll will probably handle the punting and PK duties once again this season. Knoll is coming off a season in which he hit 12/14 field goals. The Eagles will need to find new return men. It feels like an average unit.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot
September 30 – CENTRAL MICHIGAN. This is a BIG BOY sandwich game. Preceded by Notre Dame and Clemson. Virginia Tech and Louisville on deck.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Eagles have tallied 47,34,33 and 36 sacks the past four seasons (HC Steve Addazio’s teams) after recording just 6,11 and 20 in the previous three campaigns.
Boston College has never had a negative turnover margin on Addazio’s watch.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.0
MEGALOCKS says:
Overall, we give the EAGLES a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.
It feels like the potential upside outweighs the downside with these guys. The defense is going to be really good. If they can get any semblance of acceptable QB play they could be a decent money-maker vs the number. Addazio has had only one losing season SU and ATS (2015) since his arrival at Chestnut Hill.
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