Saturday, September 20, 2014

Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill

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Boston College finds themselves in a classic letdown situation when the Maine Black Bears come tromping into Alumni Stadium for an early Saturday game. The Eagles flew high last Saturday night, upsetting #9 ranked USC 37-31 in front of legions of screaming BC fans. The visiting Maine football team doesn't look to be too much of a hurdle for the Eagles Saturday as an FCS opponent, but that's why they play the game.

Maine has been involved in two tightly contested defensive struggles in opening their season 1-1. Week one saw the Black Bears gain just 187 yards against Norfolk State with only 92 through the air but still pulling out a 13-10 win over the Spartans. Maine's defense held Norfolk State to just 100 total yards and was led by Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga's 14 tackles. Last week the Black Bears traveled to Bryant where they were involved in another close game, a 10-13 loss to the Bulldogs. Maine's offense improved from the opener, racking up 277 total yards but unfortunately their defense regressed in allowing 301 pass yards to Bryant QB Dalton Easton.

The victory over USC was a welcome reprieve for Boston College (2-1) who had lost a hard fought matchup at home to Pittsburgh the previous Friday, 30-20. BC lives and dies on their running game, racking up 310.7 yards per game thus far which ranks them 11th in the nation. QB Tyler Murphy isn't much of a threat through the air, but he'll chew defenses up on the ground as proved against USC with 191 yards on 13 carries. Through 3 games Murphy has thrown for 361 yards and 2 TD while running for 401 and 3 scores. The transfer from Florida has been a welcome addition to the Eagle attack.

The BC defense isn't without its holes as evident in USC QB Cody Kessler going 31/41 for 317 yards with 4 TD and 0 INT but the matchup against Maine is just an example of the bigger, stronger, and faster players winning out. Anything is possible, especially in a letdown situation for the Eagles, but a Maine win isn't exactly probable.

Boston College Eagles Betting Trends

Boston College Eagles are 2-1-0 Against the Spread

Boston College Eagles are 1-1-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Maine Black Bears

No injuries to report at this time

Boston College Eagles

09/14/14 LB Sean Duggan Leg "?" Saturday vs. Maine
09/02/14 OG Harris Williams Ankle expected to miss 6-8 weeks
08/26/14 WR Bobby Swigert Knee out indefinitely
08/26/14 WR Harrison Jackson Chest out indefinitely
08/26/14 LB Tim Joy Knee out for season

Guy's Pick: Take Boston College

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