Just what BC needed

This was a glorified scrimmage. But that is ok. Guys shook off some rust. Plenty of guys got to play. No one got hurt. But the best part is that fans were back in the stands. I will have more in the coming days, but this is how a season opener against Colgate is supposed to go.

Highlights from today's win! pic.twitter.com/bgNQqxQ9CM

— BC Football (@BCFootball) September 4, 2021

 

Game Day Info: Colgate

No comments this year.

What you need to know

Weather: Mids 70s and sunny

Radio: SiriusXM 193 

TV: ACC Network

BC-Colgate preview

I don't know if things will ever get back to normal, but this weekend BC will play football in Alumni Stadium with real fans in the stands. It is only Colgate so the football will probably be sloppy and a little boring, but it will still be BC Football! As I've been writing all week, I think this could be a special season. So as uninteresting as a game against Colgate may be, this should be viewed as part of a larger story: the return to exciting BC Football where the whole College Football world pays attention.

What's on my mind (not totally related to this game) 

Fans return to Alumni this weekend and will find it...pretty much the same as they left. Alumni hasn't really changed much since the 1993-94 renovations. Athletics' infrastructure has focused on a variety of higher priority projects without really addressing our biggest asset. We've had concession, scoreboard and turf adjustments, but haven't really done anything for the majority of fans. As the fan experience changes across all sports and BC's demographics change, perhaps it is time to assess what Alumni should look like, how many seats are really needed and will major improvements to seats, restrooms and concessions improve attendance. I like a lot about Alumni and have many fond memories there. But I don't have to sit there seven weekends a year. The intimacy and the access are unbeatable, but maybe some modern comforts and bells and whistles are needed as the current iteration of the stadium heads nears its 30th birthday.

Three Simple Keys

1. Come out healthy. This game is a tune up. Nothing more. So the key is not to get anyone important hurt. Once we go up by 20, starters need to sit.

2. Rotate a lot on the front seven. The first two games of the season are critical to see what sort of talent and depth we have upfront. Get as many guys playing as possible and see who shows promise.

3. Save any wrinkles. This gameplan should be as basic as possible. Establish some basic tendencies, but save any tricks of counters for Temple and Missouri.

Gambling Notes

-- BC has never played Colgate

-- BC has won four straight season openers

-- Colgate has not beaten an FBS team since the DI split.

The current line is BC-46.5

Factoid

We have played four of the seven Patriot League football teams. BC is yet to schedule Bucknell, Lafayette or Lehigh.

Scoreboard Watching

There are plenty of ACC teams playing in important games this weekend, but I don't think any are as meaningful as Clemson vs Georgia. Clemson will probably win the ACC again. However, to get national respect and attention, they need to beat UGA.

I hope to see...

Plenty of Grosel time. If we go up big early, Jurk will sit. 

BC is in trouble if...

75% of the team tests positive for COVID before game time. Other than that, this should be no big deal.

Bottom Line

Colgate is well coached and a good Patriot League program, but they are still overmatched in a big way. BC just needs to do its thing and not overthink this.

Final Score: BC 51, Colgate 14

Basketball needs wakeup call to beat Colgate

BC Basketball has talent. But not enough to just show up and beat every team on the schedule. Wednesday they got a scare when Colgate took a big lead into halftime. Fortunately BC adjusted and clamped down and eventually pulled away in the second half. Hopefully this is just an early season bump in the road.

What I am most frustrated by was Christian and staff's preparation. Aside from the low energy of the first half, they were playing soft and relaxed D and daring Colgate to shoot. And they did and made BC look silly. BC also was way too quick to shoot 3s in the first half. The shots were rushed -- sometimes too far beyond the arc and just sloppy. At halftime Christian adjusted. BC trapped more and also played much tighter on Colgate's shooters. BC started hitting the 3s in the second half. 

Robinson led the way with 28 points. He was aggressive and made some good shots. The small lineup was most effective overall for BC. Bowman had 19. Chatman 17.

The team gets another test Saturday against Providence.