The Boston College Eagles entered the top-25 polls again this week and look to keep the ball rolling on Saturday at Virginia Tech.
The air the Boston College Eagles find themselves in isn’t exactly rare. But in Steve Addazio’s fifth-season, the Eagles (6-2, 3-1) have already clinched a bowl berth and are also still in the running for a ACC Atlantic division title.
Thanks to back-to-back losses by the NC State Wolfpack, the Eagles have vaulted to second place in the Atlantic division. Boston College, ranked 25th in the first CFP poll of the season, currently sits one loss behind the Clemson Tigers, with a game against the Tigers looming a week away.
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First on the agenda, however, is a trip to Blacksburg and a matchup with the Virginia Tech Hokies (4-3, 3-1).
Fresh off a banner Red Bandana Game win in last Friday’s game with the Miami Hurricanes, the Eagles face a tough test in what’s always a tough place to play.
The last time Boston College visited Blacksburg, in 2016, the result was a 49-0 Hokie victory. Virginia Tech has won the last three games these teams have met by a combined score of 98-20.
Still, the Eagles carry the hot hand here in 2018. Virginia Tech has been up-and-down so far, losing last week at home to Georgia Tech, 49-28.
The Hokies also lost to Old Dominion — on the road — and own victories over Florida State and Duke.
Time, location and where to watch
Location: Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA
Time: 3:45 pm (EST)
Watch: FuboTv
Boston College Eagles: Who to watch
AJ Dillon had a few games off due to injury, but he picked up right where he went off.
Dillon ran for 149 yards on 32 carries, scoring one touchdown in the Eagles 27-14 victory over the Hurricanes. He also caught two passes.
Running through and past defenders, Dillon continues to impress. The sophomore has totaled 801 yards on the ground in 2018, scoring seven touchdowns.
Dillon was still a game away from bursting onto the scene when Boston College and Virginia Tech met up in 2017. He had 10 carries for 35 yards in the loss and will definitely have the chance to make a bigger impact on Saturday.
The same can be said for Anthony Brown and the entire Boston College offense. In last season’s game, the Eagles had only 344 yards of total offense, nearly 100 less than what they are averaging in 2018.
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Brown has been effective for most of the season and quietly controlled an up-tempo attack against the Hurricanes. He was 15-28 for 152 yards and one touchdown.
Brown threw his first interception since the 4-interception debacle against Purdue. Although effective in the victory over Miami, Brown has not thrown for over 200 yards since the victory over Wake Forest.
Still, he’s doing what it takes to win and should find more opportunities against a Virginia Tech defense allowing 253.4 passing yards per game.
Much has been said about Wyatt Ray, Zach Allen and the defensive line play of the Eagles in 2018. The two have combined for sacks and Boston College has a total of 23, good for third in the nation.
It was a couple of linebackers who had standout games against Miami and will be integral against the Hokies.
Max Richardson had seven tackles and shared a sack in that game while Isaiah McDuffie collected 12 tackles. Both are sophomores and have continued to only get better throughout the season.
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Boston College Eagles will face a balanced Hokies offense that is currently led by a backup quarterback.
Starter Josh Jackson was injured in the loss to Old Dominion, leaving the quarterback duties to Kansas transfer Ryan Willis.
Willis has tossed for 1258 yards and completed 59.3 percent of his passes. He’s thrown 10 touchdowns against 3 interceptions, which will be tested when he goes up against a Boston College defense that has 13 interceptions in 2018 (tied for 2nd in the nation).
The secondary will have their eyes on Virginia Tech receiver Damon Hazelton. Hazelton is the top pass-catcher for the Hokies, hauling in 35 passes for 596 yards and six touchdowns.
On defense, the Hokies are giving up 28 points and 171.9 rushing yards per game (a number slightly skewed by the 465 rushing yards by Georgia Tech).
Two players to watch are linebacker Rayshard Ashby and defensive lineman Houshun Gaines. Ashby has 62 tackles on the season, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss. Gaines leads the Hokies in sacks with 4.5 and has forced two fumbles.
Prediction
Winning in Blacksburg is never an easy proposition, but it can be done. Boston College last performed this feat in a two-point victory back in 2014.
Brown will need to have a near flawless game, as will the sometimes shaky special teams play of the Eagles. As long as Dillon is on the field and doing his thing, the positive season of 2018 should continue. Boston College 31 Virginia Tech 24