"The trip to Ireland is a great Marketing opportunity..."

At least it doesn't say Golden Eagles.

"Someone got fired over this"
Ga Tech vs. Boston College in
Dublin, Ireland pic.twitter.com/SKMtCuF9fT

— eric jackson dodd (@ericjdodd50) September 1, 2016

BC-Georgia Tech preview

It feels like we've been waiting for this game for a long time. For years fans talked of a trip to Ireland. Now it is here. All offseason many of us couldn't wait to get the bad taste of last year behind us. Saturday starts a new season. Addazio has always pointed to Year 5 as the time when the program would show what he can do. The reality is that this season will be just as telling. What will it tell us? We'll find out Saturday

What's on my mind (not totally related to this game)
This is a TV and tourism game, so it makes sense to have BC. We are usually a good TV draw in a big market and have plenty of fans of Irish decent looking to make the trip. However, we are also a school with an ever growing fan and alumni base on the West Coast. This start time is rough for those folks. I am giddy about watching BC Football during breakfast, but I don't know how much I would love it if I had to wake up at 4 AM to watch the game. I know with DVRs and streaming archives, our West Coast fans don't have to watch it live, but part of the fun of sports is the live aspect. I feel for those people out there and hope they get a good post-game nap.

Three Simple Keys
1. Interior penetration. BC needs to be collapsing the interior of the GT line and screwing up as many dives as they can. I think we have the tacklers at LB and in the defensive backfield to minimize the outside stuff. The key is blowing up the early parts of the Triple Option. Get them off schedule and maybe force a turnover or two.
2. Converting on 3rd downs. Want to see if last year was just the Perfect Storm of bad offense and that things are better now? Then watch conversions on 3rd downs. Addazio is going to keep running early, so in theory these third downs should be short and manageable. BC needs to convert a few and have some sustained drives for the first time in two years.
3. Don't allow GT to pass deep. When GT is at their best, they lull you to sleep with the option and then hit a huge downfield pass off of play action. Our DBs did a good job of preventing deep balls last year. They need to do it again Saturday.

Gambling Notes
-- Paul Johnson is 8-1 in season openers while at Georgia Tech
-- Addazio is 8-16 in ACC play
-- BC is 2-6 all time vs Georgia Tech
The current line is BC+3

Factoid
Paul Johnson has faced BC three times (once at Navy and twice at GT). This is the first time he won't be facing a Frank Spaziani Defense.

Scoreboard Watching
The most important games are Clemson-Auburn and Florida State-Ole Miss. Both of our ACC foes appear to be juggernauts. This weekend will show us how dominant they might be.

I hope to see...
The Defense look just like last year. Obviously that will help BC throughout the year, but I actually like Jim Reid and appreciate the tough position he is in. If he really does keep Brown's scheme, we might actually build some lasting success.

BC is in trouble if...
Georgia Tech gets up by more than 10 early. Addazio's not known for his game management and Georgia Tech's approach can kill clock quickly. The offense may be improved, but do you trust them to comeback from an early deficit in the first game?

Overall
I keep telling myself that BC's had the whole offseason to prepare for this team and this unique game. It should go off without a hitch, right? We'll see. I expect BC to shutdown GT and get a few big offensive plays early. I think the second half will be sloppy, but BC will hold on for the win.
Final Score: BC 24, Georgia Tech 20

What Georgia Tech fans are saying about the Ireland trip [unscientific research]

Living in Atlanta, I know lots of Georgia Tech fans and listen to plenty of Atlanta sports radio. Do you know what Jacket fans are saying about the trip to Ireland? Nothing. There is no buzz and little excitement among my crowd. I only know of one person going. Now admittedly, I don't know every Georgia Tech fan in the world and I know that there will be plenty of Jacket supporters over there. My point is that playing the game in Ireland against BC has not broken into the wider sports discussion.

Georgia Tech's struggles to get attention mirror many of BC's issues. While Atlanta might not be as passionate about their professional teams as Boston fans, the Jackets compete with the Falcons and Braves for attention, plus the Georgia Bulldogs and all the SEC fans in the area. If you listen to local Sports Radio, you hear much more on Georgia and the other Top 25 matchups opening weekend than you do about Ireland.

When there is talk, the consensus seems to be that GT must come back with a win. That travelling that far only to lose to a winless ACC team would be a demoralizing way to start the season. One thing of note about the little I have read and heard: GT is practicing and scrimmaging early in the morning so that their body clocks are ready for the 7 AM kickoff.

Just because there isn't much early excitement about the game doesn't mean it is a bad idea or lost cause. I am glad BC tried something new and the unique timeslot on the opening weekend helps raise awareness. It will probably be BC's highest rated day game this season. But the general apathy around the game here is just a reminder that if BC ever wants to be top of mind in Boston (or nationally) they need to win more.

Announcers for Ireland and other links

BC's historic game in Ireland will be called by...Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, and Paul Carcaterra? I cannot remember Benetti calling any previous BC games. I thought the ESPN2 slot in Ireland would draw a bigger name, but you get what you get. Let's hope they call a good game.

The Globe featured Davon Jones. Hopefully he's ready to break out.

Malachi Moore left Rutgers and will not use his fifth year. Best of luck to him.

Sneak peek at Ireland field

In case you missed it, our Irish hosts tweeted out the layout and paint scheme for the game in Ireland. Their maroon looks okay and I like the added touched of the Boston College at midfield. It is a neutral site, but this was our home game and we pushed for the Ireland opportunity. Labor Day weekend can't get here soon enough.

The battlefield has been marked for September 3rd in the Aviva Stadium - will you be there?! #muchmorethanagame pic.twitter.com/FRRHnVFZsn

— College Football IRE (@cfbireland) June 14, 2016

TV time "officially" set for Ireland game

We've all known about the kickoff and coverage of the BC-Georgia Tech Ireland game for months. Tuesday, ESPN made it official as they released their opening weekend coverage schedule. Basically it is wall-to-wall college football starting the Thursday before Labor Day. BC's game will be Saturday morning at 7:30 ET on ESPN2.

The ability to put live football on Saturday morning is really the biggest reason for the Ireland game. I am sure the Irish like the tourism boost and BC and Georgia Tech appreciate the marketing opportunity, but this is a TV event.

Let's get some Mass schools in the Global Ireland Football Tournament

The Global Ireland Football Tournament invited two Atlanta Catholic schools to their 2016 Tournament. I didn't even know the Global Ireland Football Tournament was a thing until the announcement, but hats off to the organizers. They smartly said, "we have a team from Atlanta playing a Catholic team, maybe if we invited Atlanta Catholic schools there will be some overlap." The Tournament will include 10 U.S. high school teams and there are still spots left. I hope BC is strongly suggesting at least two Massachusetts schools are included.

Adding Mass schools helps BC in a couple of ways. It generates that much more local interest and it sells a few more tickets. If a family flies over to see Everett or BC High or whoever, you have to assume they are going to stick around to watch BC play Georgia Tech.

There is also a nice recruiting edge to all of this. BC recruits at the Atlanta invitees already (Marist and Blessed Trinity). Now they will get nearly a week to watch these kids practice and see how they behave and interact with their teams off the field. Jesuit Prep -- another BC friendly school -- is also being courted for the Irish event. Let's hope they get a few more Catholic schools from Ohio or California. But there has to be a Massachusetts team.

I assume BC has some say in the process. Perhaps Bates is making suggestions daily, so that the Irish trip becomes a big marketing and recruiting success too.

Tweets of the Week

"It should be really special. The ACC is really behind us playing these games." -Addazio #BC2Ireland

— BC Football News (@BCFootballNews) June 4, 2015

#TBT 1988, last time @BCFootballNews played in Ireland beating Army. #WeAreBC #BC2Ireland #GameOnIre pic.twitter.com/Ztftu3OYUG

— BC Football Video (@BCFootballVideo) June 4, 2015

Great to have @AnthonyCastonzo in the facility today! Represents BC and #OLineU at its best! #WeAreBC pic.twitter.com/Jv48WvGjWU

— Justin Frye (@CoachJFrye) May 29, 2015

I told my dad next year we playing Georgia Tech in Ireland he goes oh Georgia Tech is in Ireland? 😂😂😂

— Isaac Yiadom Jr (@isaacshowtime) June 4, 2015

Pumped about #BC2Ireland but keep in mind we have a whole year of work to put in before then and to be focused on the present first! 💯

— 5⃣8⃣ (@jhendren58) June 4, 2015

Dazzy Boy: why are we really playing in Ireland

The long speculated, oft-rumored BC Football game in Ireland is finally happening. This is good for BC and good for BC Football. I am excited and I hope you are too. However, there is still a lot of BS surrounding this game. The only thing an Irishman (like myself) enjoys more than spinning a few tales and painting a romantic picture, is being the Irish guy in the corner of the room saying "he's full of s--t." So let's cut through the BS and get to a few truths about the game that you won't read much between now and 2016.

This is about Irish tourism, not BC's connection to Ireland
BC and Boston do have true ties to Ireland. Probably more than any other American school. But that is not why we are playing this game. BC was the first team to play in Ireland (1988) yet we haven't been back since. If these matchups were purely about Irish ties, do you think Pitt, Rutgers, Penn State, Navy and Central Florida would have played since our last game? This is a TV event that will serve as a 3 hour commercial for Ireland. Aer Lingus is the title sponsor. The game only came together because of the Irish government and Irish tourism ministry. Every commercial break will feature bumper shots of Dublin or the country side. Even now, just by reading this post, you are probably going to be served Irish ads on different website. The fact that BC fans have a connection and affinity to Ireland is just gravy for the Irish. Believe me, if Alabama was willing to give up a home date and travel across the Atlantic for a game, they would be there now. Irish ties or not. Heck, BYU will probably get a shot at this game in the near future.

Not many BC fans will travel to this game
I don't know what BC expects, but I predict less than 3,000 BC fans travel to this game. While there was plenty of excitement on social media Thursday morning, I think the realities of the game will limit those who actually go. Think of our turnout at other sporting events in the past ten years, that were easier to get to and less expensive. The once in a lifetime opportunity and the long sales time will help efforts, but for many of our fans time and money will always be an issue. The older, emptynesters of Irish decent will go. They should. Those same people make up the key demographic for Irish tourism. But your younger fan, who is a BC diehard is less likely. I hope that BC grads in Ireland, the UK and Europe turnout, but overall, this will be a neutral crowd that might cheer us on because we're Catholic.

This is a TV event
I already explained it is a big commercial for Ireland, but it is also key TV content for ESPN. It could start at a later and provide a better viewing time for BC and Georgia Tech fans across the country. But ESPN doesn't really care about BC or Georgia Tech fans. They care about college football fans and a 7:30 am ET kickoff time gives them wall-to-wall coverage on the first Saturday of a college football season. The fact that it comes with a natural title sponsor to buy up that commercial time is even better.

This is about recruiting
BC is giving up a home game for this. That is one less chance to host recruits. But they are also getting something to sell and promote. They can use it on the current recruiting class: "come to BC and you will get a trip to Europe!" and something that we can sell to future recruits. Follow any of the twitter feeds of the BC assistant. They are selling Wall Street connections and BC guys in the pros. This will be just another tool to differentiate ourselves. "At BC you'll play on an international stage!" The players that go will enjoy the trip and hopefully get what they can out of the experience of visiting a new country. As long as they come back selling future recruits on all the cool things that go on at BC, the trip will be a success.

If you are excited about going, start supporting BC and the team now
Almost by definition, if you're reading this blog in the offseason you are a BC diehard. And like me you probably know plenty of semi-casual BC fans who watch one game a year and still think Spaz is the coach. Of course many of these same people were quick to post "road trip" on Facebook the minute the Irish announced the game. I hope they go and we need all the support we can get. But if you are thinking of going remember the team will play 12 games this year and could use your support throughout. Watch a non-Notre Dame game. Learn a few players' names. Also, I know plenty of people who think nothing of shelling out $3,000+ for this trip but don't give to BC annually. I don't like telling people what to do with their money, but BC would appreciate even just a nominal donation. It all makes a difference and supports BC in ways that going to Ireland cannot.

Now that I've poked a few holes in the motivations for this game, let me restate how excited I am for the game. I doubt I will go, but love the idea and love any game that has a unique angle. Now I just need to learn "WE ARE BC" in Gaelic.

It's official: BC to Ireland

The #BCEagles and @bcfootballnews are headed to Ireland! #BC2Ireland pic.twitter.com/IkIcNXEBMC

— BC Athletics (@BCSportsNews) June 4, 2015

I will post more after the press conference.

ESPN confirms Ireland game

ESPN's college football reporters confirmed that BC will play Georgia Tech in Ireland on Saturday September 3, 2016. This game couldn't happen without ESPN, so I think the date and time are pretty solid. This gives ESPN a 7:30 AM kickoff in the Eastern Timezone and enables a day full of games for their opening weekend. It will be interesting to see if anyone discloses ESPN paying extra money for this game. My guess is they probably are throwing in a few extra bucks or this counts as one of the ACC's contractual non-Saturday games.

Ireland Update: BC holding "schedule" press conference Thursday

BC announced a press conference for Thursday morning. It happens to coincide with the rumored Irish press conference. Plus attendees include Father Leahy and Mayor Marty Walsh. If it is not Ireland, then why is Walsh coming? Eagles go bragh!?! I guess we find out tomorrow.

Report: BC vs GT Ireland game back on

The on again, off again nature of BC's return to Ireland is on again. Or at least it is according to Irish media. Official announcement is expected Thursday. The game would be the opening weekend of college football in 2016 and played in Aviva Stadium. There are a few hedges in the report and I don't know how it could be this quiet on this side of the Atlantic. Presumably Brad Bates and Georgia Tech AD Mike Bobinski would be in Ireland for the press conference. There would have been some whispers somewhere about their travels.

Getting to this game has been messy, so we shouldn't be that surprised. If it is another false alarm, time might be running out on the trip. 2016 is not that far off from a logistical standpoint. Both BC and Georgia Tech would have to do some unique planning with regards to practices, travel and logistics. If this game is going to happen, we will know soon.

Predictable TV times and other links

Since it is a Friday game, we knew BC-Florida State would be on ESPN. Friday the school announced the kickoff times and TV coverage for Maine and Howard. Predictably both will be on ESPN3. Both games start at 1 pm. At this point, the ESPN3 things shouldn't bother me. The production values have improved and you can stream it on a big screen, but the whole aspect still feels small time. The other kick times will be announced two weeks prior to the game. 

Now that Croke Park is off the table, Aviva Stadium is the likely host of a potential BC-Georgia Tech game in Ireland.

Hanlan generated good buzz at the NBA Combine. 

Baseball split their final games with Notre Dame and finished the season 27-27 (10-19 in ACC play). That buys Gambino another season and hopefully gives Bates enough momentum to get the much needed baseball facilities and funding moving.

BC will play Penn State in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. 

 

Croke Park won't host BC-Georgia Tech

Earlier this week, Irish media reported the Croke Park will not host a football game between Georgia Tech and Boston College. The report said negotiations had been at "advanced" stages but potential scheduling conflicts with Irish sports, not enough support from the Irish government and the falling value of the euro vs the dollar all undermined the game.

There are other potential venues that could still host a game in Ireland, but if currency and government support issues are problems, they are going to be problems in any stadium. ESPN might up payout in hopes of getting a morning game, but I doubt that will be enough. It looks like this will be held in the U.S. after all.

(Thanks to Morrissey for the link.)

Ireland update? and other links

BCI put two and two together and think that Georgia Tech clearing up their 2016 schedule means that BC and the Yellow Jackets are Ireland bound. Bates keeps denying it publicly, but the maneuvering does make sense. The logistics or the game require plenty of time and plenty of marketing to our fanbase so it will have to be announced soon if it is to happen in 2016.

An EO poster dug up this link to a recent BC tax filing. Page 46 lists Addazio's total comp as $2.5M.

Eric Hoffses reported that Basketball brought in a preferred walk-on. Now we just need some impact players.

Eagles to Éire?

For the past 25 years, I've heard about BC Football's return to Ireland. With teams from Penn State to Alabama and of course Notre Dame, it was the scheduling white whale. Now it looks like it is finally happening as multiple reports leaked out that BC will host Georgia Tech in Croke Park in 2016. In response to the reporting, BC called the news premature. Even though the trip hasn't happened for good reasons, I think 2016 is as good a time as any to play the game.

BC has plenty of ties to Ireland. We may not have "Irish" in our name, but have significant part of our history tied to educating Irish Americans and preserving Irish history and culture. It is something for which we should be proud. Playing a football game in Ireland isn't going to change that. It is not going to make us more Irish or grow our market either here or there. If playing games in Ireland was going to be a real moneymaker or change the perception of American Football or American universities in Ireland or Europe, it would be done more often. As constructed now, these games are just a nice gimmick to help BC differentiate itself in the crowded college football world. We will send a nice crowd, but it won't be huge. The costs will still be too prohibitive for the majority of our fans. Maybe ESPN might kick in a few extra dollars or waive one of our Friday requirements as a result of having an early morning game, but not enough to make a huge difference.

Some fans are griping about giving up a home game. I am not as concerned especially if it is the season kickoff around Labor Day Weekend. That schedule slot always causes attendance issues at Alumni, so moving it to a special event over seas once is not a terrible idea. 

Ireland may appeal to our older demographic, but it won't move the needle with recruits. The players on the 2016 team will likely enjoy the unique, free trip to Ireland. 

Though unlikely to make the trip myself (I'm realistic about the demands of blogging vs parenting at this point), this would be a good thing for BC and a fun trip for the fans who make the journey. I am sure the report will get confirmed early in 2015, so that BC can start planning and selling tickets. And if the report it false, fans can just go back to speculating on our next return to Ireland. 

Gene's role in conference shuffle, BC-ND in Ireland? and other links

This is a good rundown of all the crazy moments of conference realignment. Of course Gene saying that ESPN pulls all the strings won't be forgotten.

Irish Central is reporting that BC and Notre Dame are considering a game in Ireland in 2015. BCI is against the idea, but I am for it. Losing out on one road trip to South Bend is not a big deal. For all those BC students who miss the experience, they can instead replace it with an unforgettable trip to Ireland. The only downside for BC is the logistical one. But I am sure we could play it in a slot that works for both teams. We need events like this to get excitement going. I cannot think of a better game for BC than one against Notre Dame in Ireland.

Addazio had a positive outlook on the loss of the Spring Game. It really meant no injuries and more one-on-one time with recruits.

Tuesday's baseball game with Hartford was cancelled due to rain.

Eagles Erin Go Bragh

Tuesday, Notre Dame and Navy confirmed they will play their 2012 game in Dublin. The two schools last played in Ireland in 1996. Given all the ties between BC and Ireland, the Navy-ND game raises the question: is it time for BC football to go back to Ireland? Yes, "go back." Some younger fans probably don't know or remember that BC played Army in the first Emerald Isle Classic.

For a program constantly trying to generate excitement and interest, I think a game in Ireland would be a no brainer. I think you could legitimately draw 5,000 plus BC fans to travel from the States, sell another 1,000 tickets to BC friends and family living in Europe, and sell the rest of the team's allotment locally to bandwagon Dubliners who want to cheer on the Jesuit kids from Boston. And if BC could play Notre Dame in the game, it would lend that much more credibility and excitement to the occasion. But we could have this game even without Notre Dame. I think Michigan, Ohio State, or Penn State are all examples of name programs with big followings that could pull off a successful trip to Ireland.

One of the consistent rumors floating during the BC-Notre Dame scheduling talks was that the schools would play one game in Dublin. It obviously didn't happen, but I think that we should try. I am sure economic concerns and our failure to travel well to American bowl games, scares off the decision makers in Chestnut Hill. But a game overseas, especially in Ireland, might be the sort of event that people actually rally behind. With a little planning and marketing, I think it could be a big success.