Playing a team from a lesser division doesn’t tell you much. Win with ease and no one cares. Get a scare like UMass gave us last year and everyone questions everything. Lose, like Michigan did to App State, and you think the world has ended. Ultimately though it is just a game where one team has more resources than the other. Because of that known disparity both teams scheme and react differently as the day plays out. Yet Michigan showed that good teams can have off days and still put together a decent season. Regardless of how BC plays Saturday I am not going to read too much into the final score.
Narrative talking point that you’ll tire of by the end of the game.
“Chris Crane really turned a corner in the UCF game.” Crane may have turned a corner against Central Florida. We won’t know it by watching this game. As I said above URI is so outclassed here it will be hard to take away much from this game. We won’t know if it all clicked for Crane until he has a few more ACC games under his belt.
Three simple keys
1. Less than three turnovers. The only way URI is winning this game is if BC hands it to them. The easiest way to do that is by coughing up the ball. I think BC could survive one or two turnovers (we have so far). But if they make more mental errors, the game could be uncomfortably close.
2. Pressure the passer. URI doesn’t have much of a running game so stopping the run won’t be a choir. We need the front seven to get to the quarterback.
3. Score quickly. I am all for methodic clocking killing football, but this is not the week for that. The lesson from UCF – open things up. A blowout will build confidence and allow the second teamers to play.
Gambling Notes
-- The last four DIAA games BC has played have not had betting lines
-- BC has not lost to a DIAA team since 1978
-- Jags has yet to lose a non conference game
There is no line on the game
Factoid
BC last played Rhode Island in 1917. (A rivalry renewed!)
Scoreboard Watching
I will be paying attention to USF vs NC State. Last week TOB’s team showed moxie in fighting for overtime against East Carolina. If they win this week, I’ll be officially worried about our game against the Wolfpack.
I hope to see…
Dominique Davis play the entire second half. Davis needs the time and it would also mean that Crane put the game away in the first half.
BC is in trouble if…
Too many guys get hurt. I don’t see a loss under any circumstances but I would hate to see one or two guys suffer serious injuries. The meat of the schedule is approaching and we’ve already lost Albright. We need to come out of this game healthy.
Bottom Line
Outside of the weather, this should be a nice weekend. I am hoping to see everyone clicking and more time for all the freshmen. Even if Crane continues his uneven play, this game should be an easy W.
Final Score: BC 35, URI 6
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3 comments:
Agree with most of your posts, that said, UMass is a much, MUCH better team than URI. UMass is a top 10-15 program in D1AA, URI went 3-8 last year and hasn't had a winning season since 2001. I'll be surprised if they get 6 first downs, let alone 6 points. Only way they'll score is on a return or if BC turns the ball over in our own territory--they won't be able to put together any kind of sustained drive.
If BC scores anything less than 50 points more than URI, a "victory" will be treated like a loss by the press; Maybe 40 points if it rains. I'm not sure I could disagree with such a position either, unless BC takes out all of its starters after the first half.
eagle1, agree 100% we need to DESTROY a team that lost to fordham! i want to see a 75-0 drubbing
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