Boston College Eagles
2013 Record: 7-6 (4-4 ACC)

OFFENSE

Scheme: Head coach Steve Addazio and OC Ryan Day run what I would call a power spread. The Eagles will go under center some, but for the most part, Addazio and Day want to line up in spread formations and utilize a big OL to ram the ball down the opponents’ throat. Think of it like Auburn’s offense, but with less motion. Regardless of formation or personnel, the Eagles want to run the ball and run it often.

Quarterbacks: Chase Rettig wasn’t necessarily an ideal fit for Addazio’s offense, but the four-year starter was efficient and ran the offense pretty well. In his place steps another senior, although this one was recruited for Addazio’s offense. Florida transfer Tyler Murphy was recruited out of Connecticut while Addazio was in Gainesville and he exited spring as the definite starter.

Murphy (1216 yards, 61%, 6 TDs, 5 interceptions, 248 rushing yards) had barely seen any game action at Florida until Jeff Driskel went down with an injury last season and Murphy started six games before getting injured himself. He didn’t wow anyone, but he seemed poised and was largely efficient. However, his game action also showed that he lacks much arm strength and explosiveness. He might be a better fit for this offense than Rettig was, but the Eagles will likely miss Rettig’s passing ability and game experience at times. And Murphy better not get injured as the only other QBs on the roster are true freshmen Darius Wade and Troy Flutie.

Running Backs: The elephant in the room is obviously the fact that BC lost 2,000 yard rusher Andre Williams, who ended up being a Heisman finalist. No one person will replace Williams’ production, but I also don’t foresee BC falling off a cliff as a running team without Williams. Yes, he was a talent, but the Eagles are committed to running the ball and will still get their yards.

The by-committee approach will start with sophomores Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse. Willis (346 yards, 5.8 average, 2 TDs, 5 receptions, TD) was impressive last year as a true freshman, proving to be powerful and efficient. He’ll likely be the starter and should push for 1,000 yards. Rouse (125 yds, 4.8 avg, 2 TDs) is a small, shifty, speed back who will provide a change of pace. Another player or two will likely get carries as well, but no one has stepped up yet. Junior David Dudeck (11 recs, TD) has been a third down back, but he may also move to WR. He’s still a RB on the official roster and at least has experience and good hands. There are three incoming freshmen and all will get a chance to prove they belong in the rotation. Jon Hilliman, a four-star recruit, is the most ballyhooed of the trio and has college-ready size at 6’0, 215.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Alex Amidon did not get the publicity that Williams did, but one could argue that Amidon’s graduation could hurt more than Williams’. Amidon caught 77 passes last year for over 1,000 yards; the #2 totals: 14 receptions and 207 yards. There are a few guys here with experience, but none who can stretch the field and none who have been productive for their whole career. This is one of the weakest positional groups in the ACC.

The Eagles are hoping for several things. One, they are hoping UConn transfer Shakim Phillips can step in and start right away. Phillips is a big guy (6’3, 210) who caught 60 passes in two years at UConn, leading the team in receptions in 2012 with 32. Oddly enough, Phillips actually started his career at BC in 2010 before leaving for UConn. He has potential, although he isn’t a superstar by any means. Second, they are hoping senior Bobby Swigert can return 100% from a knee injury that cost him last season. Swigert led the team in receptions as a freshman and sophomore and had 23 receptions in seven games in 2012 before his knee injury struck. He is not a burner, but is a great possession receiver who runs good routes. His production has gone down every season, but his return would still boost this unit. Third, they hope juniors Dan Crimmins and Harrison Jackson can step forward. Crimmins (11 recs, 64 yds) and Jackson (5 recs) both have great size, but have done little to this point in their careers. They need to step up. The Eagles have four true freshmen receivers on their roster and probably two of them need to be ready to add depth. An x-factor could be converted QB Josh Bordner, who moved to WR under the old regime then back to QB last year and is now back at WR. Border has size and athleticism, but he is obviously raw.

At tight end, BC has eight guys on the roster so this unit isn’t without bodies. That being said, the top four tight ends from last year’s team, including Jake Sinkovec who finished second in receptions and Mike Naples who finished second in receiving yards, are gone so this group is totally new. The tight ends were a factor in the passing game last year, but this unit looks like blockers for the most part. Senior Louie Addazio and junior Michael Giacone appear to be the top options. Grad student Jarrett Darmstatter has experience at fullback and is another option.

Offensive Line: The line lost both starters at tackle, but this could still be one of the most experienced groups in the ACC. Much like FSU, the projected starting five are all seniors. It isn’t the most talented group in the country, but this will still be a pretty good line.

The inside is set with LG Bobby Vardaro (33 career starts), C Andy Gallik (28 career starts), and RG Harris Williams (13 career starts) all back. Florida transfer Ian Silberman, who started 7 times for the Gators over his career, emerged from the spring as the starter at RT. The battle is at LT, where senior Seth Betancourt leads. He has 3 career starts and good size, but is the potential weak link. Junior Dave Bowen and sophomore Jim Cashman will push him. There are a few upperclassmen among the backups, but depth is largely inexperienced.

DEFENSE

Scheme: BC runs a very aggressive 4-3 defense that plays man coverage and brings blitzers from the outside. Unfortunately for BC fans, most of the best pass rushers are gone so this unit needs to be retooled. And it must be worrying to Eagles fans that even with a really good pass rush, BC allowed 428 yards per game and 5.9 yards per play. This unit could be feast or famine.

Defensive Line: Six guys played in at least 10 games along the defensive line and four of those are gone. This unit is largely starting over, but the Eagles have two nice pieces to build around. Seniors Brian Mihalik and Mehdi Abdesmad can play either end or tackle and we will likely see one at each spot. Mihalik (27 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks) is a giant of a man at 6’9, 288 who needs to ramp up his production. Abdesmad (17 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 2 sacks in 4 games) was lost for the season in September when he was playing at an all-conference level. And he doesn’t lack for size either at 6’7, 290. Abdesmad looks to be a solid pass rusher so my best guess is you’ll see Mihalik at DT and Abdesmad at DE.

Joining Mihalik on the inside is junior Connor Wujciak (24 tackles, 2 for loss) and sophomore Truman Gatupfel. Wujciak started eight games last season and is a good run-stuffer. At end, junior Nick Lifka and sophomore Kevin Kavalec will get first crack, but don’t be surprised if redshirt frosh Jack Cottrell and four-star true freshman Harold Landry get long looks.

Linebackers: This unit was also hit hard by graduation, what with the losses of Kevin Pierre-Louis, a four year starter, and Steele Divitto. They combined for 220 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. That isn’t easy to replace.

The Eagles will likely field a good starting trio and have a good piece to build around in junior WLB Steven Daniels, a 12 game starter last year. Daniels (88 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 int) is a bowling ball at 6’0, 260 and provides good run support. Senior Sean Duggan, who missed last year due to injury, is expected to be the starter in the middle. He has been productive in his career and seems solid. Senior Josh Keyes (30 tackles, 5 for loss, 3.5 sacks) started twice last year and had a good spring. He is penciled in at Pierre-Louis’ old spot. Depth is the question as only sophomore Mike Strizak has any experience, and that is just 9 games and 5 tackles. Sophomore Matt Milano moved down from safety and although he is undersized at 6’1, 218, he has nice quickness. Four-star true frosh Connor Strachan, the jewel of the recruiting class, will almost certainly see the field.

Secondary: Only two key contributors from last year’s secondary are gone so this could, and should, be the strength of the defense. That being said, this unit gave up way too many big plays considering how good the pass rush was. Basically, if the opposing QB wasn’t being sacked, he was probably hitting a big play. BC gave up 267.9 passing yards per game and 26 touchdowns while only picking off 9 passes. The worst stat of all, though: opponents completed 66.9% of their passes. So, yeah, this unit returns largely intact, but they need to improve across the board.

The Eagles have experience at safety, with a trio of players, albeit ones who could not prevent the big play. Senior Sean Sylvia (68 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 int) is the free safety, but seems to be better against the run than pass. Junior Justin Simmons (34 tackles, 3 pass breakups) will push Sylvia and is a bit better against the pass. At SS, senior Dominique Williams (65 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1 int) is a big hitter who can come down into the box. An x-factor could be UConn transfer Ty-Meer Brown, a strong safety with the Huskies who started seven games last year before missing the final five due to injury. He should push Williams.

The BC corners were burnt last year, but I actually like the potential of the starters here better. Senior Manny Asprilla (68 tackles, 7 for loss, 6 pass breakups, 2 ints) can be burned and gambles a bit too much, but at least he makes plays. Junior Bryce Jones (62 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 3 pass breakups, 2 ints) has good size and is pretty smooth, but needs to improve his consistency. Sophomore John Johnson appeared in 10 games last year (mostly special teams) and has been praised throughout the offseason. Due to the offseason departure of C.J. Jones, Johnson is the only backup with any game experience so expect any of the incoming freshman class as well as redshirt frosh Atem Ntantang to get a look.

Special Teams: This unit will really miss P/K Nate Freese and return man Spiffy Evans. Freese was a decent punter and one of the best kickers in the country and he will be hard to replace. Junior Alex Howell is the early leader to both punt and kick, but true freshman Mike Knoll will be given a chance to win the PK job. Evans was just average as a WR but he was a dangerous punt returner. The good news is that Myles Willis was equally dangerous returning kickoffs.

Schedule: There is little margin for error here. The nonconference slate (at UMass, USC, Maine, Colorado State) should lead to 3 wins, although CSU could be tricky. The ACC schedule is a bear, what with road games against VA Tech and FSU and home dates with Clemson and Louisville. A September home date with Pittsburgh could be the swing game for bowl eligibility.

Overall: BC certainly exceeded expectations in year one under Addazio. Winning 7 regular season games, making a bowl game, and playing Clemson and FSU tough in losses was not what anyone expected. Year two, however, could be tough. BC might be able to cobble together a good running game again, but there are question marks everywhere and a lot of that is due to the roster that Addazio and his staff inherited. While they have some decent seniors and some promising youngsters, a lot of the depth that should be provided by juniors and sophomores is lacking due to poor recruiting and transfers. Injuries can derail any team’s season, but this team looks particularly troubled if injuries occur pretty much anywhere.

I would venture to guess that the Eagles will have a strong running game again. The starting o-line looks pretty good, Willis is a good back, and Murphy can run some too. Teams will certainly stack the box, though, as the pass-catching corps looks weak and Murphy is still a relative unknown as a passer. The defense makes me pause more than the offense. The line is littered with questions and lacks depth, the LB corps should field a decent starting trio but has no proven backups, and the secondary sieved big plays last year and I’m not sure will be much better with a potentially weaker pass rush. All that being said, BC’s schedule is not ridiculously hard and they could easily go 3-1 in nonconference play. That means just 3 conference wins sends them bowling again and games against Pittsburgh, NC State, Wake Forest, and Syracuse are all winnable. So, I could see this team hitting 6-6 and going bowling again, but that doesn’t mean this is a good team. However, it does appear that Addazio has BC headed back toward being the tough out and spoiler they were under Tom O’Brien.