2008 Boston College Eagles
Written July 13, 2008 by Jason Lowry
With only a couple months till the beginning of another NCAA football season, Jason Lowry is ready to make his 2008 Boston College Eagles season predictions. The Eagles rode the success of star quarterback Matt Ryan to an 11-3 season that included a 24-21 win over Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl. The Eagles had their chance at playing for a National Championship, but suffered back-to-back losses to Florida State and Maryland right after they beat Virginia Tech to go 8-0. The Eagles then had another shot at a BCS Bowl game, but were unable to beat Virginia Tech a second time in the ACC title game. This year could be a rough one for 2nd year coach Jeff Jagodzinski who only returns 10 starters this season. To get a good idea on how good the Eagles will be this season, lets take a look at what they will be sending out to both sides of the ball this season.
Offense:
The Eagles do return 6 starters on this side of the ball and none will be harder to replace than Ryan at quarterback. As it looks now senior Chris Crane will get the chance to take over, and its hard telling how good he will be since he hasn’t seen much action over the years. The team will turn to freshman Josh Haden at running back and they will need him to be a force this season. The team does return 3 of its top 4 receivers from a year ago, but their numbers are likely going to take a hit, but it should make things easier for Crane at quarterback. Senior tight end Ryan Purvis is the real deal at tight end, and could be ready for a monster season in 2008. The offensive line does return 3 starters, but will likely feel the loss of first round pick OT Cherilus Gosder. The two open spots both come on the right side and it looks like sophomores Thomas Claiborne and Rich Lapham get the edge for opening day.
Defense:
The Eagles were one of the better defensive units in the ACC last season, but it is going to be hard to put the same kind of numbers up with only 4 starters coming back this season. The defensive line is going to be set with returning starters Ron Brace at tackle and Alex Albright at one of the end spots, and we think senior BJ Raji will step in and be a force at the open tackle spot. The team should have no trouble at the linebacker spot, as they got a couple of great talents in weak side backer Mark Herzlich and strong side backer Brian Tool. The secondary wasn’t very good last season, and it likely won’t get much better this season. The team only returns one starter in senior Paul Anderson at the free safety spot, and it looks like he will be joined with Marcellus Bowman at the other safety spot. Junior Roderick Rollins and sophomore DeLeon Gause will likely get nod at the starting corner spots.
Prediction: 5th in the ACC Atlantic
The Eagles had a magical run in 2007 and we got a feeling that this season is going to be a lot different. Ryan carried this team last year, and its going to be tough for a guy like Crane to step in and try and put those kind of numbers up. This team is going to struggle and we got them winning right around 5 games in 2008.
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