The Big Game: Week 9

Boston College - at -
Virginia Tech

Boston College

Rushing Offense: 144.6 (72nd), Rushing Defense: 46.4 (1st)
Passing Offense: 310.9 (8th), Passing Defense: 277.1 (105th)
Total Offense: 455.4 (16th), Total Defense: 323.6 (29th)
Scoring Offense: 34.6 (29th), Scoring Defense: 17.7 (18th)

Schedule (7-0): won vs. Wake Forest (38-28), won vs. NC State (37-17), won at Georgia Tech (24-10), won vs. Army (37-17), won vs. UMass (24-14), won vs. Bowling Green (55-25), won at Notre Dame (27-14)

Boston College will walk into Blacksburg with their best start since 1942, when they won their first eight games. Being a consensus top five team at this point in the season is a rare accomplishment for a first year head coach, especially for a program that hasn't finished in the top five since 1984. However, Jeff Jagodzinski has come in here and immediately set the bar high for these Eagles. Included in their 7-0 start is a 3-0 record in the ACC and the Ireland Trophy, representing their win over Notre Dame. What has been the recipe for this success? Though the defense isn't awe-inspiring (especially with the 105th ranked pass defense), they are a solid unit that is very effective at stopping the run and keeping points off the score board. The offense, however, is the driving force behind BC's on-field success this season. Jagodzinski hired former East Carolina head coach, Steve Logan, to be his offensive coordinator. Logan has a reputation for being an offensive mastermind and is very adept at developing quarterbacks. Among his proteges are Pro Bowler, Jeff Blake, and current Jacksonville Jaguars starter, David Garrard. Logan's current project is Matt Ryan, a young man in position to contend for the Heisman. The Eagles passing attack is averaging over 300 yards per game and ranks 8th nationally. Additionally, the team is averaging nearly 150 yards on the ground and 35 points per game. It will take a superb defensive performance to stop them.

Virginia Tech

Rushing Offense: 119.4 (90th), Rushing Defense: 98.0 (17th)
Passing Offense: 179.4 (101st), Passing Defense: 204.1 (40th)
Total Offense: 298.9 (112th), Total Defense: 302.1 (13th)
Scoring Offense: 28.1 (55th), Scoring Defense: 16.0 (8th)

Schedule (6-1): won vs. East Carolina (17-7), lost at LSU (7-48), won vs. Ohio (28-7), won vs. William & Mary (44-3), won vs. North Carolina (17-10), won at Clemson (41-23), won at Duke (43-14)

In just the second week of the season, Virginia Tech's national title hopes suffered a tremendous blow with the 48-7 loss in Baton Rouge. However, the Hokies still have their sights set on the ACC title, as they are 3-0 in conference play. Their biggest ACC test to date will come calling Thursday night, when the Eagles of Boston College invade Lane Stadium. The home field advantage may be the biggest thing going for the Hokies. Unlike Boston College, Virginia Tech's offense this season has been woeful. Though averaging 28 points per game, they have been unable to put up many yards (passing or rushing). Given their opponent's tendancy to allow fewer points per yard than most teams, you can bet it will be difficult for the Hokie offense to score this week. The real strength of this Hokie team lies on the defensive side of the ball. Despite giving up an eye-popping 48 points to LSU, they are still only giving up 16 per game. Four of their seven opponents have been held to ten points or less. This orange and maroon squad is especially effective at stopping the run. Unfortunately for them, that is not the main focus of the BC attack. The pass defense will be tested the most. Coming in, the Hokie squad is giving up 204 yards per game through the air. Eventhough that is the weakest link in the Hokie defense, it is still better than two-thirds of the country.

The Pick

Vegas: Virginia Tech favored by 3.0
NpOl (7-1): Boston College favored by 3.5
OpOl (6-2): Boston College favored by 4.0
NpNl (8-0): EVEN (Boston College by 0.1)

Guru Pick (6-2): Lane Stadium is one of college football's toughest venues in which to play. Furthermore, BC has to make that trip on a short week. The home team in games that match relatively similar opponents virtually always wins on a short week. That was the case when Rutgers beat South Florida last week and when Wake Forest beat Florida State the week before. BC will exploit VT's pass defense and it will be an exciting game that goes down to the wire. However, I expect Virginia Tech to knock Boston College from the ranks of the unbeaten, 25-23.

---

Games To Watch

Though the following games were not chosen as the week's Big Game, they are intriguing match-ups that may lead to upsets. Make sure to keep your eye on ...

Florida vs. Georgia (at Jacksonville, Florida)
Ohio State at Penn State
Kansas at Texas A&M
USC at Oregon
California at Arizona State
West Virginia at Rutgers
South Florida at Connecticut
Boise State at Fresno State

---

Past Big Games

Week 1: Tennessee (31) at California (45)
picked correctly by all 3 models and guru

Week 2: Virginia Tech (7) at LSU (48)
picked correctly by all 3 models and guru

Week 3: USC (49) at Nebraska (31)
picked correctly by all 3 models and guru

Week 4: South Carolina (16) at LSU (28)
picked correctly by all 3 models and guru

Week 5: West Virginia (13) at South Florida (21)
picked correctly by 2 models

Week 6: Kentucky (23) at South Carolina (38)
picked correctly by NpNl model

Week 7: Missouri (31) at Oklahoma (41)
picked correctly by all 3 models and guru

Week 8: Auburn (24) at LSU (30)
picked correctly by all 3 models and guru