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)
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
Boston College Eagles Dennis Grosel (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Dennis Grosel

When three-year starter Anthony Brown went down with an injury in the Louisville game, the reins of the offense were handed to redshirt sophomore Dennis Grosel.

Grosel had his struggles, especially with accuracy, but did enough to go 3-3 as the Eagles starter.

And now, this bowl game could even be a showcase for Grosel to prove himself as the starter heading into next season.

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Brown recently entered the college transfer portal, meaning Grosel could very well be the starting quarterback in 2020.

In his six starts, Grosel has mostly been asked to be a game manager, even more so than Brown was. Though, like Brown, Grosel can unleash the ball when called upon. His accuracy was less-than-ideal (48.6 percent) but Grosel kept the interceptions down (only three).

Grosel threw for nine touchdown passes and 896 yards. One of his best performances was against Florida State, completing 20 of 29 and throwing for 227 yards and two scores. The other might performance turned in by Grosel was against Syracuse. He was 8-10 for 195 yards and three scores in that game.

He also ran the ball as he became more comfortable leading the offense. Grosel had 203 rushing yards, with 126 of those coming in the last three games.

Cincinnati gives up 233 yards per game through the air, meaning the Eagles do have some opportunity here. If Grosel can use his stable of tight ends to control tempo and Kobay White to stretch the field, the Eagles will be in a good situation.

Now, about that defense…