Boston College Eagles: 3 players to watch in Birmingham Bowl

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Tanner Karafa #48 of the Boston College Eagles celebrates with teammates after sacking Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers (not pictured) during the second quarter at Heinz Field on November 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

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Boston College Eagles David Bailey. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

David Bailey

Part of the two-headed monster that became the Boston College ground game in 2019, sophomore David Bailey will lead the attack in Birmingham.

Bailey was not so much a backup to Dillon as he was option 1A. The focus will now be all on Bailey and he’s out to prove he can handle being atop the depth chart.

Running behind one of the better offensive lines in the ACC, Bailey has rushed for 816. He averages 5.8 yards per carry and scored 7 rushing touchdowns.

A true breakout game occurred for Bailey when he ran for 181 yards against N.C. State. Later, he dropped a cool 172 at Syracuse.

As opponents game-planned even more for the run, Bailey found a little less room to run. In the last three games of the regular season, he carried 33 times for 118 yards.

Bailey and the offensive line will need to be in top form against a decent Cincinnati run defense. The team allowed only over 200 yards on the ground just once in 2019, allowing 270 in a Week 2 loss to Ohio State.

The Bearcats, however, might be a bit more susceptible in the passing game.

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