2006 Boston College Eagles Predictions

By: Jimmy Boyd

In 2005, the Boston College Eagles had a great season with just 3 losses and they should have beat North Carolina which would have left them with just 2 losses last season. A tougher schedule in 2006 will likely add another loss or 2 to the Eagles in the final standings. They avoided Miami last season, but they’ll have to play the ‘canes this year and they likely won’t get past Clemson, who they beat in OT last season, either. VA Tech and Florida State should get the job done against B.C. again in 2006 as well. Despite those losses, we’re still looking at the Eagles to finish 3rd in the ACC Atlantic Division.

Last season, the Eagles did their damage on the defensive side of the ball as they held their opponents tp just 15.9 ppg which was good for 7th in the country. The Eagles lose defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka who was responsible for a great deal of the Eagles pass rush. But despite that loss and the loss of middle lineback Ray Henderson, Boston College should once again be tough on the run. Last season, they were 5th in the nation against the run allowing just 90.8 yard per game. We expect them to stay in the top 15 against the rush in 2006 with a great linebacking corps, led by junior Brian Toal, and the Eagles should improve upon their 62nd ranked pass defense. In fact, the Eagles experienced secondary could prove to be the strength of the defense this season. Expect great play from DeJuan Tribble, who will be able to lock up the best wide outs in the league on the corner. Strong safety Jaime Silva led the Eagles in tackles last season with 87 and his ferocious hits often electrify the Eagles defense.

Although it’s B.C.’s defense which is the foundation of their team, the offense is not carrying a lot of dead weight. The Eagles return quarterback Matt Ryan, who stepped up his play last season to go a perfect 5-0 as a starter. He’ll lose 2 of his favorite targets in Will Blackmon and Larry Lester, but Tony Gonzalez should provide a big play threat as well as sophomore Brandon Robinson , who showed glimpses of brilliant play in limited time last season. Expect Robinson to be a household name by season’s end. The backfield is solid as B.C.’s two-headed dragon attack of Whitworth and Callender, which rushed for over 1,500 yards last season, returns. The biggest question mark on offense will be if the Eagles can find suitable replacements for left tackle Jeremy Trueblood and center Pat Ross.

The Eagles are bringing into this season the nation’s longest streak of 6 straight bowl victories, and I’ll admit they deserved better than the MPC Computers Bowl last year. But they might be happy to reach that bowl this season as a 6-6 record, because of a tough schedule, isn’t out of the question. We’re looking at the Eagles to go 8-4 or 7-5.

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Jimmy Boyd is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at www.procappers.com/Jimmy_Boyd.htm

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