Boston College Eagles preview: Nationally ranked and ready for Purdue
Rolling on offense and bringing the heat on defense, the Boston College Eagles look to keep the fun going this Saturday at Purdue.
Ten long years have passed since the Boston College Eagles last found themselves ranked the major college football polls.
This week, the Eagles found themselves in both of the major ones.
For the first time since late 2008, Boston College is ranked in the top 25. The Eagles (3-0), after a 41-34 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons last week, are now ranked No. 25 in the coaches poll and No. 23 in the AP.
It’s also been at least a decade since the Eagles had an offense that’s been as potent as the one that’s been on display so far in 2018.
Boston College is averaging 52.7 points and nearly 590 yards per game, led by a couple of sophomores.
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Running back AJ Dillon continues to run through defenses. He racked up 185 yards on the ground against Wake Forest, bringing his season total to 432. Dillon has scored four touchdowns on the ground and one in the air.
Quarterback Anthony Brown has been stellar as well, coming off a five-touchdown performance against the Demon Deacons (more on Brown later).
Brown, Dillon, and company will take on a Purdue team that is 0-3, losing those three games by a combined total of eight points.
Time, location and where to watch
Location: Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana
Time: Saturday September 22 – noon (EST)
Television: ESPN2
Boston College Eagles
Three games in and Brown has gone above and beyond in what was expected of him.
Yes, two of the opponents aren’t exactly juggernauts but Brown was equally effective against Wake Forest. He was 16-25 in that game, throwing for 304 yards and a career-high five touchdowns.
On the season, Brown is 33-48 for 626 yards, nine touchdown passes, and zero interceptions.
Brown has worked the deep ball well and spread the ball around nicely to an array of receivers. Jeff Smith was the main recipient in the Wake Forest game, catching six passes for 145 yards.
No player has more than 10 catches for the Eagles, with 16 different players hauling in at least one pass so far in 2018.
Even with the offense operating in video game mode, the defense has made its own contributions. And it’s a plus — for the most part — to not have as much pressure placed on them to keep the game close, as in the past. This has allowed the defense to fly around more and take more chances.
The Eagles have six interceptions through three games. Hamp Cheevers has two of them and Lukas Denis and Will Harris are playing up to their 2017 level.
Something to keep an eye in this game will be the play of the punt team. Three times opponents have blocked punts for touchdowns against the Boston College Eagles in 2018. The two by Holy Cross had no effect on the outcome. But the blocked punt score by Wake Forest was the difference between a two-score game and sweating out an onside kick in the game’s final minutes.
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue’s hard-luck through three games found a silver lining in last week’s loss to Missouri.
The Boilermakers had been alternating quarterback-play between Elijah Sindelar and David Blough the season’s first two games.
Given the start against Missouri, Blough took the reins and threw for 572 yards and 3 touchdowns.
A trio of receivers had over 100 yards receiving in that game, led by Rondale Moore. Moore caught 11 passes, bringing his season total to 25.
Brycen Hopkins is also a threat, catching five passes for 136 yards in that game.
The Purdue defense gives up 156 rushing yards and 319 passing yards per game. A mediocre pass rush has produced seven sacks, but they will be facing an experienced Boston College offensive line that’s given up only two sacks this season.
Sophomore linebacker Derrick Barnes leads Purdue with 25 tackles. The top man to keep an eye on is sophomore linebacker Cornel Jones. Jones has 22 tackles and has been in the opponent’s backfield with 7.5 tackles for loss.
Prediction
A road game is always tough and perhaps even more so as Purdue looks to avoid a 0-4 start.
Next. Boston College Eagles: A look back at the 2007 season. dark
Still, there’s something special going on with this Boston College team, notably the offense. The Eagles will be in for another battle, but here’s to looking at 4-0. Boston College 35 Purdue 31.