Boston College ?8
The Eagles received an early wake up call last week against Connecticut, escaping with a 24-16 win over the Huskies. This narrow escape will provide a much needed boost this week when the Cardinal come to town. BC tallied only 344 yards on offense with QB Brian St. Pierre throwing for 242 yards with 3 Td?s and 2 INT?s. The Eagles return 9 starters to their offense with the biggest void being the loss of RB William Green. A bright spot came from backup tailback Derrick Knight, who rushed for 100 yards on 17 carries. Knight will not get the start against Stanford however, but should see plenty of action. They will go against a Stanford defense that 52nd in total defense and 100th against the pass. They need to replace 9 starters including all of the linebackers and defensive backs. They will be using a new system under new coach Buddy Teevens and will need to try and stop the always balanced attack of the Eagles.
Stanford will come in without the services of starting QB Chris Lewis, who was suspended for an NCAA violation. Replacing him will be redshirt freshman QB Kyle Matter, who has yet to throw a collegiate pass. Teevens has installed a new, complicated ?Florida Fun ?n Gun? system and throwing a new QB right into the fire might be problematic. Stanford brings back 6 starters, less Lewis, to a team that ranked 13th in the nation in total offense last season. That is due in part to playing in the Pac-10. They did score 38 on BC in their first game last year, but in the other two non-conference games vs. Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, they scored 17 and 14 points respectively. Without Lewis and coming in to play a non-Pac-10 team, points might not be so easy to attain. The Eagles return 8 starters to a defense that ranked 15th in points and 31st in total defense a year ago. Also, BC's defense will be bolstered by the return of senior linebacker Jerome Ledbetter (knee) and senior defensive end Derric Rossy (hamstring).
The new 12 game rule that went into effect this year gave a lot of teams a chance to schedule an earlier game than normal. But Stanford feels the rule places too much emphasis on football; it's the only team in the Pacific 10 Conference with an 11-game schedule. This extra game for the Cardinal could have done wonders. It would have given them to get a look at their new offense (and defense for that matter), especially with all of the new players. It also might have saved Lewis for the BC game, as he could have sat out the first game of the season against some patsy.
Not into trends but for those who follow trends ? BC is 19-3 ATS (including the last 9) since ?92 when revenging a loss vs. an opponent of 14 or more points. BC lost last year to Stanford 38-22.
Eastern Michigan +23
Definitely see some value in this line, mostly due to the games last week. The Eagles lost to Michigan St. 56-7 while Toledo beat 1-AA Cal Poly 44-16. Taking a look back at last year, the Rockets were favored by 34 in Toledo. Figuring 3 points for home field, that would have made Toledo a 28-point favorite in Eastern Michigan. A 5-point swing from last year to this year doesn?t see like a big enough dropoff for a Rocket team that lost so much. They are replacing TB Chester Taylor, QB Tavares Bolden and their whole defensive line. In all, they return only 10 starters from a team that went 10-2 last year and 20-3 the last 2 seasons. Toledo held Cal Poly to 64 yards rushing, as they were able to move the offensive line without much problem. Things should be a little more difficult for the Rockets going against of much bigger line ? Cal Poly averages 262 per man while the Eagles average 290. The size is there on the line, but the experience is not. The Eagles return only one starter to the line but they are going against a green defensive line as well. Also, starting defensive end Frank Ofili hurt his elbow and will not play this week for the Rockets. Getting the ground game moving will be the first priority for Eastern Michigan as they rushed the ball only 20 times for 54 yards against the Spartans.
Eastern Michigan did have some positives from their loss. They committed no turnovers, they had four drives that were eight plays or more and they allowed only three tackles for loss. Head coach Jeff Woodruff estimated that on 13 of the 26 missed tackles his team committed, those accounted for over 200 yards after contact, about 1/3 of the Spartans total yardage. Toledo uses a lot of quick wide receiver screens so it is imperative that the Eagles wrap up or they will see similar results in the yards after contact category. Committing no turnovers against the very physical Spartan team is a big boost. Eastern Michigan finished 95th last year in turnover ratio and obviously needs to protect the ball more this year if they want to improve on their 2-9 record. The level of competition takes a big drop compared to last week so the Eagles will be ready to play a game that they are claiming is winnable. Not sure if they?ll pull off the upset, but they should keep it close.
Navy +17
With Navy?s 38-7 win last week vs. SMU, one of two things are possible. Either Navy is improving or SMU is worse than originally thought. Possibly a little of both as one game can?t give a total picture just yet. After going winless in 2001, the Midshipmen are in the win column early this year, giving them a confidence they haven?t had in a while. Coach Paul Johnson earned his first win as head coach at Navy. Before going to Georgia Southern in 1997, Johnson was the Naval Academy?s offensive coordinator in 1995-1996. He ran the spread option offense and helped them in 1996 to go 9-3 with a bowl win. Last week, they gained 399 yards in offense and ran for 5.4 ypc vs. a Mustang defense that ranked 19th in the nation in total defense last year. A good number for a Midshipmen team that was 98th in total offense in 2001. Whether they can keep it up the whole year is still to be determined but they are in much better shape than a year ago when Georgia Tech came to town and won by 63. This is a team that mentally is better because their coach believes in them and is a true motivator. Johnson said the team played ok, but missed some assignments and still wants to see many improvements. His main focus is for his team to not lose sight in the ultimate goal, which is improving every week and also avoid a letdown.
NC State comes in 2-0 with wins over New Mexico and East Tennessee St. This will be their first trip on the road. The Wolfpack need to replace 5 starters on defense, mostly in their line and linebacking corps. They have been effective stopping the run thus far in their first two games, but this will be the biggest challenge yet. The defense is expected to spend a lot of time on the field going against the spread option. NC State QB Rivers is a solid QB and can get his team down the field. The key for Navy is ball control and keeping him off the field. East Tennessee St. held the ball for over 10 minutes more than the Wolfpack but was putrid on third down going 3-16. NC State has Wake Forest next week in their ACC opener so a slight look ahead is possible.
GLTA!!
The Eagles received an early wake up call last week against Connecticut, escaping with a 24-16 win over the Huskies. This narrow escape will provide a much needed boost this week when the Cardinal come to town. BC tallied only 344 yards on offense with QB Brian St. Pierre throwing for 242 yards with 3 Td?s and 2 INT?s. The Eagles return 9 starters to their offense with the biggest void being the loss of RB William Green. A bright spot came from backup tailback Derrick Knight, who rushed for 100 yards on 17 carries. Knight will not get the start against Stanford however, but should see plenty of action. They will go against a Stanford defense that 52nd in total defense and 100th against the pass. They need to replace 9 starters including all of the linebackers and defensive backs. They will be using a new system under new coach Buddy Teevens and will need to try and stop the always balanced attack of the Eagles.
Stanford will come in without the services of starting QB Chris Lewis, who was suspended for an NCAA violation. Replacing him will be redshirt freshman QB Kyle Matter, who has yet to throw a collegiate pass. Teevens has installed a new, complicated ?Florida Fun ?n Gun? system and throwing a new QB right into the fire might be problematic. Stanford brings back 6 starters, less Lewis, to a team that ranked 13th in the nation in total offense last season. That is due in part to playing in the Pac-10. They did score 38 on BC in their first game last year, but in the other two non-conference games vs. Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, they scored 17 and 14 points respectively. Without Lewis and coming in to play a non-Pac-10 team, points might not be so easy to attain. The Eagles return 8 starters to a defense that ranked 15th in points and 31st in total defense a year ago. Also, BC's defense will be bolstered by the return of senior linebacker Jerome Ledbetter (knee) and senior defensive end Derric Rossy (hamstring).
The new 12 game rule that went into effect this year gave a lot of teams a chance to schedule an earlier game than normal. But Stanford feels the rule places too much emphasis on football; it's the only team in the Pacific 10 Conference with an 11-game schedule. This extra game for the Cardinal could have done wonders. It would have given them to get a look at their new offense (and defense for that matter), especially with all of the new players. It also might have saved Lewis for the BC game, as he could have sat out the first game of the season against some patsy.
Not into trends but for those who follow trends ? BC is 19-3 ATS (including the last 9) since ?92 when revenging a loss vs. an opponent of 14 or more points. BC lost last year to Stanford 38-22.
Eastern Michigan +23
Definitely see some value in this line, mostly due to the games last week. The Eagles lost to Michigan St. 56-7 while Toledo beat 1-AA Cal Poly 44-16. Taking a look back at last year, the Rockets were favored by 34 in Toledo. Figuring 3 points for home field, that would have made Toledo a 28-point favorite in Eastern Michigan. A 5-point swing from last year to this year doesn?t see like a big enough dropoff for a Rocket team that lost so much. They are replacing TB Chester Taylor, QB Tavares Bolden and their whole defensive line. In all, they return only 10 starters from a team that went 10-2 last year and 20-3 the last 2 seasons. Toledo held Cal Poly to 64 yards rushing, as they were able to move the offensive line without much problem. Things should be a little more difficult for the Rockets going against of much bigger line ? Cal Poly averages 262 per man while the Eagles average 290. The size is there on the line, but the experience is not. The Eagles return only one starter to the line but they are going against a green defensive line as well. Also, starting defensive end Frank Ofili hurt his elbow and will not play this week for the Rockets. Getting the ground game moving will be the first priority for Eastern Michigan as they rushed the ball only 20 times for 54 yards against the Spartans.
Eastern Michigan did have some positives from their loss. They committed no turnovers, they had four drives that were eight plays or more and they allowed only three tackles for loss. Head coach Jeff Woodruff estimated that on 13 of the 26 missed tackles his team committed, those accounted for over 200 yards after contact, about 1/3 of the Spartans total yardage. Toledo uses a lot of quick wide receiver screens so it is imperative that the Eagles wrap up or they will see similar results in the yards after contact category. Committing no turnovers against the very physical Spartan team is a big boost. Eastern Michigan finished 95th last year in turnover ratio and obviously needs to protect the ball more this year if they want to improve on their 2-9 record. The level of competition takes a big drop compared to last week so the Eagles will be ready to play a game that they are claiming is winnable. Not sure if they?ll pull off the upset, but they should keep it close.
Navy +17
With Navy?s 38-7 win last week vs. SMU, one of two things are possible. Either Navy is improving or SMU is worse than originally thought. Possibly a little of both as one game can?t give a total picture just yet. After going winless in 2001, the Midshipmen are in the win column early this year, giving them a confidence they haven?t had in a while. Coach Paul Johnson earned his first win as head coach at Navy. Before going to Georgia Southern in 1997, Johnson was the Naval Academy?s offensive coordinator in 1995-1996. He ran the spread option offense and helped them in 1996 to go 9-3 with a bowl win. Last week, they gained 399 yards in offense and ran for 5.4 ypc vs. a Mustang defense that ranked 19th in the nation in total defense last year. A good number for a Midshipmen team that was 98th in total offense in 2001. Whether they can keep it up the whole year is still to be determined but they are in much better shape than a year ago when Georgia Tech came to town and won by 63. This is a team that mentally is better because their coach believes in them and is a true motivator. Johnson said the team played ok, but missed some assignments and still wants to see many improvements. His main focus is for his team to not lose sight in the ultimate goal, which is improving every week and also avoid a letdown.
NC State comes in 2-0 with wins over New Mexico and East Tennessee St. This will be their first trip on the road. The Wolfpack need to replace 5 starters on defense, mostly in their line and linebacking corps. They have been effective stopping the run thus far in their first two games, but this will be the biggest challenge yet. The defense is expected to spend a lot of time on the field going against the spread option. NC State QB Rivers is a solid QB and can get his team down the field. The key for Navy is ball control and keeping him off the field. East Tennessee St. held the ball for over 10 minutes more than the Wolfpack but was putrid on third down going 3-16. NC State has Wake Forest next week in their ACC opener so a slight look ahead is possible.
GLTA!!
