Where will the Boston College Eagles land for their result in bowl mania 2023?
Will the season be put to a merciful end against the 24th-ranked SMU Mustangs (11-2) at the Wasabi Fenway Bowl? Or can the Eagles find magic once more in what was a regular season roller coaster ride?
Game day is fast approaching (December 28) with the Eagles looking to snap a three-game losing streak and get their seventh win of the season. Boston College (6-6) is also looking for their first bowl win since a Quick Lane Bowl victory over Maryland in 2016, their only victory in 10 bowl selections since 2007.
Boston College Eagles: Aiming high
Transfers and NFL declaration (defensive back Elijah Jones) have left the Eagles thin at a few positions. While many of these players saw the field throughout the season, they were either injured or serving as backups when the regular season ended.
Boston College on offense should be fine for the Fenway Bowl matchup with SMU. Running back will be the biggest question mark, in terms of depth. Top runner Kye Robichaux and versatile backup Alex Broome will be there to carry the load. And they both should be leaned on a lot, if the Eagles are to have any hopes of winning this bowl game.
These two will have plenty of opportunities, as well quarterback Thomas Castellanos. Castellanos was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation this season in terms of rushing, leading Boston College with 957 yards and 11 touchdowns.
If the offense can find a rhythm on the ground, mixed in with a short, precise passing game, the Eagles can do their best to control the outcome. Finding a few opportunities for deep strike plays (and not pressing the issue) will also be needed. Balance on offense has been the key in Boston College's six victories this season and will be again on Thursday.
A bevy of receivers, led by Lewis Bond, will help. As will an offensive line that has been a cohesive, stellar unit in 2023, allowing only 16 sacks and paving the way for over 194 yards per game on the ground.
Defense is where the main worry is for this bowl game. On paper, the depth chart (at least the two-deep portion) shows off a lot of experience and talent. For the Eagles, it's been about putting that talent all together for one exemplary game to close the season.
Opponents totaled 117 points against Boston College in the season's final three games. This was a far cry from the five-game winning streak, where opponents averaged 19 points per game.
The possibility of Boston College defense clamping down is there, especially with nearly a month to prepare for the Mustangs. Which will be no easy task, considering SMU boasts one of the top teams on both sides of the ball.
Daunting task for Boston College
The SMU Mustangs enter the bowl game riding the highs of a nine-game winning streak. And there has been nothing fluky about the streak. SMU's defense has been stout and the offense fluid, with the Mustangs failing to score over 30 points just once in that span. And that was their most recent game, a 26-14 victory over Tulane in the AAC title game.
SMU suffered only two losses this season, to the Oklahoma Sooners and TCU Horned Frogs. In their 11 victories, the team scored 30+ points in 10 while opponents scored 20+ three times in those games.
All told, the Mustangs average 40.2 points per game while allowing only 17.4, including two shutouts.
Offense excelled in both the passing (285.1 yards) and rushing (181.1). The air attack may not be as good, with starter Preston Stone (3197 yards, 28 touchdowns) going down with a broken leg in the regular season finale. But Kevin Jennings filled in nicely during the conference title game and, with plenty of time to practice as the starter, will be fully prepared for Boston College.
The top three running backs for SMU all average above five yards per carry, a frightening stat considering what the Eagles defense allowed down the stretch. Plus, the passing game spreads the ball around, with seven players having 20 catches or more for the Mustangs.
Topping the list is tight end RJ Maryland, who has 34 catches for 518 yards and seven touchdowns.
SMU's defense finished second in the nation with sacks (47) and had 11 interceptions. Key leaders in both categories will be at the bowl game. This includes defensive end Elijah Roberts, who had 9.5 sacks, and Isaiah Nwokobia, who has four interceptions.
Chances of a positive result look slim for the Boston College Eagles. SMU, in their last season before joining the ACC, is rightfully miffed at not being selected for a bigger bowl game. That can leave a team either disinterested or fueled with more fire to leave a mark. I think it says a lot that SMU's bigger stars are back to finish this season. And even a perfect game from Boston College might not be enough.
Prove me wrong but looking at a 34-20 victory for SMU.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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