Boston College
vs
Michigan State
Dec. 28 / 5 p.m. ESPN
vs
Michigan State
Dec. 28 / 5 p.m. ESPN
Boston College is the hottest bowl team in the country. Seven straight victories for Tom O'Brien and the Eagles. Jeff Jagodzinski is hoping to continue the winning ways and continue to hold the nation's longest current streak when they meet fellow first year head coach Mark Dantonio's Michigan State Spartans in Orlando.
Boston College is coming off one of their most successful seasons in school history, being just a second win over Virginia Tech away from their first ACC crown and a trip to the Orange Bowl. BC has trouble defending against passing teams, but is a brickwall against the rush giving up only 68 yards a game on the ground. On the other side of the ball is the senior leader of the Eagles in Matt Ryan. In what is considered to be the deepest QB draft in years, Ryan could be the first name off the board in April with a slew of teams looking for a franchise quarterback. If he has a big game against the Spartans Friday evening as the only early game he could solidify that position as the first quarterback taken (from the Eagles to the Falcons, perhaps).
Michigan State almost had a very special season in Mark Dantonio's first year, too. Overtime losses to Iowa and Northwestern, coupled with a three point loss to Wisconsin, a four point loss to Michigan, and a 7 point loss to #1 ranked Ohio State. A 7-5 team that's 5 losses came by a total of only 28 points. This team was a touchdown more per game away from a really magical season. A few more bounces their way and this could have been the surprise Big 10 team in the Rose Bowl instead of Illinois. If the Spartans can pull the major upset in Florida it could certainly springboard them to a huge 2008, or at least into a ton of momentum for the season opener in Berkeley against Cal.
A new development just this week will hurt their chances, though. Red-shirt freshman guard Abre Leggins, senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic, senior wide receiver Terry Love, and sophomore wide receiver T.J. Williams have been ruled academically ineligible for Friday's Champ Sports Bowl vs. Boston College. A fifth player, senior linebacker SirDarean Adams has been suspended for violating teams rules. This defintely hurts the passing attack of MSU which was their best chance of defeating BC. If Ryan has time to throw he will pick MSU apart. On the flip side MSU has to be ultra efficient in the passing game and not give BC turnovers. The blueprint given by Florida State and then Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game is simple, make smart throws and don't throw interceptions. Before the suspensions I wanted to pull the trigger on MSU with this pick, but now I just see Ryan throwing for 400+ yards, RB Andre Callender also having a big day, and MSU just not being able to keep up.
Line: Boston College -4.5, Total: 56.0
Boston College is coming off one of their most successful seasons in school history, being just a second win over Virginia Tech away from their first ACC crown and a trip to the Orange Bowl. BC has trouble defending against passing teams, but is a brickwall against the rush giving up only 68 yards a game on the ground. On the other side of the ball is the senior leader of the Eagles in Matt Ryan. In what is considered to be the deepest QB draft in years, Ryan could be the first name off the board in April with a slew of teams looking for a franchise quarterback. If he has a big game against the Spartans Friday evening as the only early game he could solidify that position as the first quarterback taken (from the Eagles to the Falcons, perhaps).
Michigan State almost had a very special season in Mark Dantonio's first year, too. Overtime losses to Iowa and Northwestern, coupled with a three point loss to Wisconsin, a four point loss to Michigan, and a 7 point loss to #1 ranked Ohio State. A 7-5 team that's 5 losses came by a total of only 28 points. This team was a touchdown more per game away from a really magical season. A few more bounces their way and this could have been the surprise Big 10 team in the Rose Bowl instead of Illinois. If the Spartans can pull the major upset in Florida it could certainly springboard them to a huge 2008, or at least into a ton of momentum for the season opener in Berkeley against Cal.
A new development just this week will hurt their chances, though. Red-shirt freshman guard Abre Leggins, senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic, senior wide receiver Terry Love, and sophomore wide receiver T.J. Williams have been ruled academically ineligible for Friday's Champ Sports Bowl vs. Boston College. A fifth player, senior linebacker SirDarean Adams has been suspended for violating teams rules. This defintely hurts the passing attack of MSU which was their best chance of defeating BC. If Ryan has time to throw he will pick MSU apart. On the flip side MSU has to be ultra efficient in the passing game and not give BC turnovers. The blueprint given by Florida State and then Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game is simple, make smart throws and don't throw interceptions. Before the suspensions I wanted to pull the trigger on MSU with this pick, but now I just see Ryan throwing for 400+ yards, RB Andre Callender also having a big day, and MSU just not being able to keep up.
Line: Boston College -4.5, Total: 56.0
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