As noted in the weekly "How They Do?" feature, Boston College (2-9, 1-6) has only one win over an FBS opponent this season, a three-point triumph over a depleted Maryland squad in Chestnut Hill. BC has been on a downward spiral since TOB bolted for supposedly greener pastures south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Frank Spaziani's yearly win total has sunk from 8 to 7 to 4 to a mere 2 wins in 2012. One used to be able to count on the soon to be departed Spaz's teams to play defense, but, as the Football Outsiders' metrics show below, the Eagles don't even do that very well anymore.
Led by senior signal caller Mike Glennon, N. C. State (6-5, 3-4) should capitalize on the hapless BC D to put up mega points on senior day. The Eagles are surrendering a generous 29.9 points per game (80th in FBS) this year after allowing 23.5 (43rd) last year. But State's offense is no bellwether for the team's success (or lack thereof). It's the defense that dictates outcomes: the Pack are yielding 43.4 points in losses and just 11.3 points in wins. It's all or nothing for a Pack defense that seems to feed off success (see the FSU game) or crumble when faced with adversity (see all five losses), and whichever unit that shows up Saturday will determine the outcome of this game. After last week's embarrassing 62-point dog walking by the Clemson Tigers, pride and the emotions of senior day will hopefully prevent another instance of coming up short in a shootout.
The Wolfpack's bad defense has come against very good offensive teams; BC is not a good offensive team. True, Chase Rettig has upped his QB rating by 10 points in 2012, but the Eagles are averaging just 14.5 points per game over their last 6 contests and have lost three in a row. Overall, BC's offense ranks 105th in scoring at 20.7 points per game. Though BC did post 30+ points in four of their first five games, it's been so long since the offense clicked that these early-season offensive explosions seem irrelevant to Saturday's game.
N. C. State hasn't won a game yet this season when it yielded more than 18 points. If the Wolfpack can hold Rettig's Eagles to under 20 points, it's 7 win time baby. To do so, the Pack must limit the touches for Alex Amidon, who is seventh in the nation and leads the ACC at 106.8 receiving yards per game. State also needs to keep Spiffy Evans from going Gio in the return game. Evans is averaging 25.3 yards per punt return and would lead the nation in that category if he had enough attempts to qualify. Too bad BC's defense isn't solid enough to force opponents to actually punt.
How will State react to last week's behind the woodshed beating? Are they mad as hell and unwilling to take it anymore? Or have they pretty much quit on the coaching staff and the season? A motivated Pack will win. An unmotivated Pack may help their coach go the way of Dooley. Regardless, this uninspiring match up did not make TV. See ya'll on The Ocho.
2011
N. C. State |
Football Outsiders Metric |
Boston College |
50 |
Overall FEI |
64 |
58 |
Offensive FEI |
95 |
25 |
Defensive FEI |
40 |
92 |
Special Teams Efficiency |
54 |
2012
N. C. State |
Football Outsiders Metric |
Boston College |
54 |
Overall FEI |
87 |
65 |
Offensive FEI |
87 |
41 |
Defensive FEI |
82 |
57 |
Special Teams Efficiency |
36 |