2014
Boston College
Football Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Boston College probably wasn’t as good as their seven wins last year, and that showed in their 23-point bowl loss to Arizona. With only 10 returning starters, it’s going to be extremely difficult for this team to reach another bowl Game in Steve Addazio’s second season.
BC is listed at ods of 700 to 1 to win the National Championship and 250 to 1 to win the ACC. Those odds can be found at most offshore sportsbooks.
The Eagles lose almost every relevant player on the offensive end from QB Chase Rettig to stud RB Andre Williams (2,177 yards, 18 TDs) and WR Alex Amidon (77 receptions, 1,032 yards). They’ll definitely have their work cut out for them. However, the offensive line is probably their best unit with plenty of experience to go around with five projected senior starters. Once again, the Eagles will pound the running Game, but now led by sophomore Myles Willis.
The quarterback spot looks to be owned by Florida transfer Tyler Murphy, who played in nine Games for the Gators last season. He didn’t do a whole lot to impress with six TDs and five INTs, but his mobility should work well in this offense. Murphy’s wide receivers are unpolished with the best returnee being David Dudeck, who only caught 11 balls for 84 yards in 2013. Senior Bobby Swigert should get a lot of looks, but it’s going to fall on Willis and the RBs to move the offense.
Defensively, they have some big holes to fill as well from a group that never really had a standup performance. Because of that, it’s going to be vital for the rushing offense to get going and keep the defense off the field.
Linebacker Steven Daniels will lead the middle of the field, while the rest of the front six (they play a 4-2-5) is still a question with a number of upperclassmen battling for playing time. The secondary is probably the Eagles most experienced unit with seniors Sean Sylvia and Dominique Williams leading at safety.
Boston College should be able to find their footing in the first Game against UMass, but from there Games against Pittsburgh and USC will be tough. Beating a team like Pittsburgh will be important in the Eagles’ chances of reaching a bowl Game.
Like last year, they’ll have trouble against the top teams in the conference, although due to a solid running Game, they remained somewhat competitive. BC’s best chances of ACC wins include at NC State, at Wake Forest and vs. Syracuse. Although that isn’t a good sign when they play some of their weaker opponents on the road.
As long as the running Game can pick up from last year and Murphy isn’t completely terrible, Boston College should compete with most of the middle-range teams in the conference. Reaching six wins is probably the goal here.
2014 Boston College Football Schedule
Aug. 30 at Massachusetts
Sept. 5 vs. Pittsburgh
Sept. 13 vs. USC
Sept. 20 vs. Maine
Sept. 27 vs. Colorado State
Oct. 11 at NC State
Oct. 18 vs. Clemson
Oct. 25 at Wake Forest
Nov. 1 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 8 vs. Louisville
Nov. 22 at Florida State
Nov. 29 vs. Syracuse