I hate to put so much emphasis on one game, but this matchup could swing the whole season. If BC wins, it is a good measurement of where we are and also gets us 1/3 of the way to bowl eligibility. A loss would put this young team in a deep hole. If we cannot beat Pitt at home, where are the other five wins needed to be bowl eligible? This is a transition year with the bar set relatively low, but that still means winning a game or two against peer programs.
What's on my mind (not totally related to this game)
I always think that Pitt should be better at football than they are. They have a better history than most programs and are in a better recruiting territory than most programs, yet they are never a consistent winner. They have high points, but then coaching changes disrupt the whole thing and they start again. Ultimately it has been good for BC that they have been mediocre for 30 years, but it is also raises a question. If Pitt cannot win National Championships or keep coaches around, will BC ever be able to reach our ultimate goal?
Three Simple Key
1. Explosive plays on offense. Addazio pounded this point home in the media, but it is fair. As boring as the offense might have seemed last year, we could at least count on a big play from Andre or a deep ball to Amidon. If we don't have a player or two who can turn a five yard run into a 50 yard run, our offense will get stagnant.
2. Keep Pitt under 150 yards rushing. I really liked our front seven against UMass. They did a good job controlling the line and tackling. Pitt ran all over Delaware and will try the same with us. The key will be winning the battle in the trenches.
3. No breakdowns in the secondary. I don't expect perfection, but we cannot have WRs running free. It cost us the shutout against UMass. In ACC play it could cost us a game.
Gambling Notes
-- Chyrst is 4-7 on the road
-- Chryst is 3-2 as a road favorite
-- BC has lost its last three games to Pitt
The current line is BC+4
Factoid
This is the second year of the ACC's new TV deal that mandates at least three Friday night games (one of which will be a BC game). This is our obligation this year. Last year it was against Wake. Given the contract, I assume that our game against Syracuse next year will be in the post-Thanksgiving slot.
Scoreboard Watching
It couldn't have worked out better that USC takes on Stanford the week before our game. It will have their focus and they will be playing a team similar to us. Whatever happens, our coaches should have plenty of film to analyze and adjust our game plan accordingly.
I hope to see...
A decent turnout. The Groupon push has me worried that Alumni will feel empty. This is an important game and it would be nice to have the stands full.
BC is in trouble if...
We can't get Pitt off the field. With both teams trying to run the ball, possession will be critical. If we cannot force a few three and outs, I fear that Pitt will control the game and limit our scoring.
Bottom Line
I think last week served as a good blueprint for this week. BC will run the ball well with Murphy leading the way. I think our Defense will slow Pitt down. We take an early lead and build on it. Pitt makes it interesting late, but can't do enough.
Final Score: BC 27, Pitt 20
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11 comments:
Anyone who watched the BCS Title game Megacast would conclude BC has a big advantage over Pitt in coaching.
Hopefully Addazio can out-duel Chryst, we can ride the home atmosphere, and get the right breaks to pull it out. I'm excited to get back to Alumni Stadium.
Pitt is favored by 4. BC has the mojo. Let's do it.
For Boston, for Boston we sing our proud refrain. For Boston, for Boston Tis wisdom's earthly fame. For here we are one and our hearts are true. And the towers on the heights reach the heaven's own blue. For Boston, for Boston til the echoes ring again......For Boston, for Boston thy glory is our own. For Boston, for Boston tis here that truth is known. And ever with a right shall our heirs be found til time shall be no more and thy work is crowned. For Boston, for Boston thy glory is our own.....Hurley 1885
I actually like the sound of this one better -Sweep Down The Field
Chorus: Sweep down the field for Boston,
marching on to glory.
Forward fighting Eagles,
carry home the spoils of victory, Rah, Rah, Rah. We'll sweep the foe before us,
as the Boston men of old.
So fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for the old Maroon and Gold.
Cheered to victory, our team sweeps on.
The foe is vanquished and their spirits gone.
B O S T ON Boston, Boston, Boston.
(Repeat Chorus)
Agree big time with Big Jack. It's crazy that "Sweep Down the Field" is not incorporated very prominently into the band's repertoire of BC fight songs. "Sweep Down the Field" rocks. Hope to hear it many more times this year.
I'm nervous for this one. I think Pitt is a credible threat and it kind of feels like last year's Syracuse game to me. I'm hoping we come out on the other side of a close game this time.
JBQ for the sake of historical accuracy. Your lyrics are not the 1885 Hurley version.
"...For here men are men and their hearts are true..." was the original. The lyrics were changed sometime after I graduated in 1968.
BJK: Nobody could ever remember the lyrics to "Sweep down the field.." That was the attraction to "For Boston": you could remember the words, even, or especially, when you weren't sober.
Go BC, Beat PITT.
Too funny, Lenny - and you're right. :-)
Ok, while we are on lyrics, in addition to the Heights being where men are men, 'tis also "wisdom's earthly fane" Fane being an archaic term for a shrine or temple. Impress your friends at your next BC wedding and sing the correct lyrics! Then let them know they attended the temple of wisdom for college! Lets go tonight - as the Penn State crowd used to cheer Puck Fitt!
I'm partial to the "here men are men" lyrics, as well; "here all are one" is too kumbaya for me.
"Sweep Down the Field" rocks; needs to be in the repertoire.
I want this W tonight so badly I can taste it. No more moral victories. Pound Pitt.
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