2010 Boston College Football Predictions

August 10, 2010

BetOnline

The Boston College Eagles are coming off their 11th straight winning season, as the Eagles have not had a losing season since going 4-7 in 1997. The Eagles finished up the 2009 season at 8-5 overall and 5-3 in ACC play. Heading into the 2010 season the Eagles should be well adjusted to head coach Frank Spaziani, who enters his second season at BC. The Eagles have 14 starters back and have a legit shot at winning the ACC Atlantic division in 2010. Here is a look at what the Eagles will send to field this season, plus my prediction on where they finish the year in the ACC.

Offense:

The Eagles are hoping for big improvements from sophomore starting quarterback Dave Shinskie, who played pretty well in his freshman season throwing for 2,049 yards and 15 touchdowns. Shinskie did throw 14 interceptions, so the touchdown to interception ratio wasn’t that impressive, and he will have to cut down on his turnovers if the Eagles are going to win the ACC this season.

At running back the Eagles welcome back junior running back Montel Harris, who finished second in the ACC with 1,457 and had 14 rushing touchdowns in 2009. I expect another big season from Harris, who will only benefit from improved play from Shinskie.

The Eagles will have to replace their top receiver threat from last season, and the receiving corps is the biggest question mark heading into the season. Junior Colin Larmond had 29 catches for 596 yards and five touchdowns last season, and will have to step up and be the No.1 threat this season. Senior Billy Flutie is also expected to make his way into the starting lineup. The Eagles do return a solid young tight end in sophomore Chris Pantale, who had 25 catches for 223 yards and a touchdown as a freshman.

The Eagles will feature one of the best offensive lines in the ACC this season, as they return four starters from last year’s squad. Senior left tackle Anthony Castonzo and senior right guard Thomas Claiborne are two of the best at their position in the ACC, and they also have one of the best right tackles in the conference in senior Rich Lapham. Look for sophomore Emmett Cleary to take over at the open left guard spot.

Defense:

The Eagles didn’t have a single player record more than three sacks in 2009, and they must replace two starters up front in 2010, as the only starters back are senior defensive end Alex Albright and senior defensive tackle Damik Scafe. Red-shirt freshman Dillon Quinn is expected to step in and start right away at the open defensive tackle spot, while senior Brad Newman is the likely candidate to take over at the other defensive end spot.

The Eagles will feature one of the best linebacking corps in the nation this season, as they return sophomore starting middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and get back senior strong-side linebacker Mark Herzlich, who missed all of last season. Senior Mike Morrissey saw plenty of action last year as a backup and fill in starter, and should be ready to step in and take over the weak-side linebacker spot.

The secondary will be a concern for the Eagles heading into the season, as they have just two starters back to unit that allowed 225 passing yards a game last season. Junior Isaac Johnson is expected to make his way into the starting lineup opposite of senior returning starting DeLeon Gause at corner. At safety the Eagles get back senior free safety Wes Davis, but will count on junior Dominick LeGrande to provide a spark as the new starting strong safety.

ACC Prediction – 2nd Atlantic: The offense has the potential to put up some very good numbers this season with a solid running game, and could be one of the best in the ACC if Shinskie shows big improvements. The only think that is keeping the Eagles out of the top spot in the Atlantic is the defense, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that unit perform much better this season with so much talent at the three linebacker positions. I have the Eagles finishing behind Florida State in the Atlantic, as they will likely need a win on the road against the Seminoles to win the division.

For another look at how the conference will play out, check out Jimmy Boyd’s 2010 ACC predictions.

If you plan on betting the college football odds this season, be sure to stop back for our expert college football picks when the 2010 season gets underway.

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Posted by Jimmy Boyd · Filed Under Football Picks, Football Predictions, Football Rankings 

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