ACC Football - 2021 Boston College Eagles Preview
Our Boston College Eagles preview 2021 observes that this team has not beaten an AP Top 25 team since they took down the #14 USC Trojans in 2014. Over the past seven seasons, the Eagles have been average at best. Last season, BC went 6-5 overall and 5-5 in the ACC for a sixth-place finish. On offense, their passing game was ranked 24th nationally and third in the conference; however, their rushing game came in 118th in the nation and last in the ACC. In scoring, they were 68th and 11th.
Boston College Offense
Last year, QB Phil Jurkovec proved to be the tonic the BC offense needed. The Notre Dame transfer, now a junior, played in 10 games, passing for 2,558 yards and 17 TDs. He proved to be a solid improvisor. Although safety valve and All-American TE Hunter Long is gone, Jurkovec will still have All-ACC first-team wideout Zay Flowers. Flowers led the team and the conference with nine scoring catches. C.J. Lewis, a 6’3” receiver with good hands, caught 28 passes for five TDs while averaging 16.4 YPR. The receiving unit is experienced and deep.
Last season, the Eagle rush attack plummeted from eighth in the nation in 2019 to 118th. The team did shift in 2020 to a zone running attack, which meant there was a lot of adjusting going on. The entire O-line returns, which should be a major help. However, Boston College does not possess a standout running back.
Boston College Eagles Preview 2021 - Defense
In 2020, within the conference, the Eagle defense was average, which was an improvement over 2019. In 2019, they were 125th in total D, 101st in scoring, and 122nd in defending the pass. Last season, in those respective categories, they improved to 73rd, 60th, and 82nd. Nine players with experience return to this unit, but only four of those were starters last season.
Still, in the secondary, B.C. is deep and experienced. Junior transfer SS Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, a former five-star recruit who started 22 games for Florida State, is an intelligent and versatile defender as well as a strong and able leader. Last season, as a junior, SS Jahmin Muse led the team with three picks. The Eagle linebacking group is the least experienced and most worrisome of the lot, as they lose Max Richardson and Isaiah McDuffie. Last season, the duo combined for 206 total tackles. The D-line will look to senior Marcus Valdez for leadership. In 2020, he posted 37 total tackles and two sacks.
Specialists
Our Boston College Eagles preview 2021 notes that wideout Jaelen Gill will bring back punts and running back Travis Levy will handle kicks. Both have sound offensive chops and speed. Senior punter Grant Carlson returns after placing 15 punts inside the 20-yard line and averaging 42.4 YPP. Only three of his punts resulted in touchbacks. Placekicker Aaron Boumerhi, also a senior, was 16-of-20 last season, converting 80% of his attempts.
Boston College Eagles Preview 2021 - Projection
Although the Eagles showed solid improvement on defense last season, they enter this season with a depleted linebacking group and a questionable D-line. However, B.C. does possess a fine secondary. On offense, our Boston College Eagles preview 2021 finds that the team needs to regenerate its running game. If it can, they could be a formidable offensive force.
ACC Football - Boston College Eagles 2021 - Predictions:
Third Place - ACC Atlantic
Fenway Bowl vs. Memphis