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Boston College Eagles game preview: ACC season-opener against Wake Forest

By Jason Haskins

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Anthony Brown #13 of the Boston College and the rest of the Boston College Eagles celebrate after the victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders at Alumni Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Anthony Brown #13 of the Boston College and the rest of the Boston College Eagles celebrate after the victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders at Alumni Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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The only thing possibly slowing down the Boston College Eagles this coming Thursday against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons is the weather.

Two weeks of relatively easy games to start the 2018 season must now be put in the rearview for the Boston College Eagles.

The Eagles (2-0) followed up a 55-21 season-opening victory over UMass with a 62-14 throttling of the Holy Cross Crusaders. The game saw most Boston College starters out by the early second quarter, allowing a whole slew of players to see game action.

Rolling into the start of ACC play on a high note was a must. And, unless Hurricane Florence has anything to say about it, the Eagles will get conference play started on Thursday night against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

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Wake Forest (2-0) is coming off a resounding victory as well, defeating Towson 51-20 last week.

The Demon Deacons went into Alumni Stadium last season and defeated the Eagles 34-10. Wake Forest forced four turnovers, three of which were interceptions thrown by Anthony Brown.

Many of the faces on these two teams are the same but are playing expanded roles. Outside of turnovers, the game in 2017 was evenly matched. If the game does get played on Thursday, even with weather likely playing a factor, it will provide a good measuring stick for each program.

Time, location and where to watch

  • Location: BB&T Field in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  • Time: September 13 at 5:30 pm (EST) *Note: This time moved up from original time of 7:30 pm and still might change.
  • TV: ESPN

Boston College Eagles: Who to watch

Through two games, the Eagles have dropped 117 points and racked up over 1200 yards.

While the opponents haven’t necessarily been mighty, the stars are shining and plenty of players have seen game action.

AJ Dillon carried the ball all of six times in the victory over Holy Cross. Three of those carries went for touchdowns and Dillon finished with 149 rushing yards, earning himself ACC Running Back of the Week honors.

Dillon was playing only in his second college game last season when the Eagles faced the Demon Deacons in 2017. He had 15 carries for 43 yards in that game, a number that should be improved upon this season.

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There are two multi-faceted players who, with possible rainy weather conditions, are ones to keep an eye on. Return specialist Michael Walker has done a bit of everything in 2018. He’s returned three kickoffs for 70 yards and three punts for 28 yards. Walker also has 26 receiving yards and 22 rushing yards.

Jeff Smith is also a big part of the Boston College offense, carrying the ball five times for 55 yards and hauling in two catches for 23 yards.

The defense has allowed 618 total yards in 2018, collecting seven sacks and forcing five turnovers. Twice they’ve scored on interception returns.

Linebackers Davon Jones and Connor Strachan lead the team with 10 tackles apiece, with Strachan also adding a sack. Both will be instrumental in bottling up the Wake Forest running game.

Wake Forest: Who to watch

While Wake Forest has relied on a running game averaging 5.1 yards per carry, quarterback Sam Hartman has been getting it done through the air as well.

Hartman is 48-78 for 620 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also thrown three interceptions and will be tested by Boston College’s experienced secondary.

Cade Carney is the top ball carrier, posting 184 yards and two touchdowns. Hartman is also a great runner with 128 rushing yards in 2018.

The Demon Deacons have their own all-purpose star in redshirt sophomore receiver Greg Dortch. Dortch was the top receiver in last season’s game. He’s back at it again with 19 catches and 243 yards in the season’s first two games.

Dortch was named the ACC Specialist of the Week last week. He had 310 all-purpose yards in the victory over Towson, taking two punts to the house and adding a third score through the air.

Wake Forest has forced five turnovers and collected eight sacks. A defensive line led by Chris Calhoun (14 tackles) might give Eagles offensive line a few fits. The offensive line of Boston College has allowed only one sack in 2018.

Prediction

How the teams react to the possible winds and rain in Thursday’s game will go a long way in determining the outcome.

Next. Boston College Eagles: Experienced core to anchor defense in 2018. dark

In this instance, Boston College has more experience, especially in the trenches. They also have Dillon, who should have another outstanding day, even with Wake Forest’s strength against the run. Boston College 28 Wake Forest 17.

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