As CFN continues to pump out season previews, it is a good time to read up on our opponents. Here are the opponent preview that have been published so far:
-- Temple
-- Louisville
-- NC State
-- Wake Forest
-- UMass
-- Purdue
Showing posts with label Know your opponents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Know your opponents. Show all posts
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Saturday, June 03, 2017
More opponent previews
CFN keeps rolling out their team previews. Here are a few more for our upcoming season.
-- Syracuse
-- Clemson
-- Virginia Tech
-- Syracuse
-- Clemson
-- Virginia Tech
Sunday, July 26, 2015
More opponent previews
Now that Scout finished all of their team previews, I thought it was a good time to revisits some of our other opponents. (Part I is here.)
Clemson -- The Tigers have new Offensive Coordinators. It will be a "co" set up. I hope it blows up in their face. They have so much talent that they will win plenty of games, but this will be the year to see if Chad Morris was really the brains behind Dabo's operation.
Duke -- We should be able to run on Duke, which will make the road game more manageable. They also are breaking in a new QB.
Louisville -- Will probably have a quarterback controversy this season. All three guys played last year and all three want to start when each gets healthy. As much as I want this to disrupt their season, Petrino's offense is usually so good that it doesn't matter who plays QB.
NC State -- Like Addazio, Dave Doeren enters his third year. Unlike BC, expectations are a bit high in Raleigh. Have they upgraded their talent enough to pass BC?
Notre Dame -- The Irish should be very good this year. We are in the easier portion of their schedule, so hopefully they will have had some momentum killing losses prior to playing us.
Virginia Tech -- The D should be really good again and no one has any ideas what to expect from the offense. A Virginia Tech in decline might not be good for the ACC, but it is great for BC.
Duke -- We should be able to run on Duke, which will make the road game more manageable. They also are breaking in a new QB.
Louisville -- Will probably have a quarterback controversy this season. All three guys played last year and all three want to start when each gets healthy. As much as I want this to disrupt their season, Petrino's offense is usually so good that it doesn't matter who plays QB.
NC State -- Like Addazio, Dave Doeren enters his third year. Unlike BC, expectations are a bit high in Raleigh. Have they upgraded their talent enough to pass BC?
Notre Dame -- The Irish should be very good this year. We are in the easier portion of their schedule, so hopefully they will have had some momentum killing losses prior to playing us.
Virginia Tech -- The D should be really good again and no one has any ideas what to expect from the offense. A Virginia Tech in decline might not be good for the ACC, but it is great for BC.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Opponent preview roundup
Scout started publishing their team previews. BC's is not up yet, but plenty of our opponents are. I find team-by-team previews from magazines and websites helpful. I don't follow the ins and outs of Syracuse or Northern Illinois like I do BC, so this gives me some insights and helps set expectations for us and them. Here are the ones that are out and a few takeaways...
Florida State -- Like us Florida State has a revamped offensive line and a new QB. Like us, they have a good position coach at OLine (Rick Trickett) so I think they will be ok.
Northern Illinois -- the preview starts with talk of Northern Illinois making the jump to a Power 5 conference, so you know expectations are high. For BC it will be more about stopping the run.
Syracuse -- The Orange are replacing most of their Defense. This team did not score much last year, so a revamped O and a young D could make for a long season. We don't play them until the end of the year, so they will have figured things out or checked out on the season.
Wake Forest -- There schedule is almost as bad as ours. Like us they play Notre Dame. Their other non-conference games are Elon, Indiana, and Army. They are also very young.
Florida State -- Like us Florida State has a revamped offensive line and a new QB. Like us, they have a good position coach at OLine (Rick Trickett) so I think they will be ok.
Northern Illinois -- the preview starts with talk of Northern Illinois making the jump to a Power 5 conference, so you know expectations are high. For BC it will be more about stopping the run.
Syracuse -- The Orange are replacing most of their Defense. This team did not score much last year, so a revamped O and a young D could make for a long season. We don't play them until the end of the year, so they will have figured things out or checked out on the season.
Wake Forest -- There schedule is almost as bad as ours. Like us they play Notre Dame. Their other non-conference games are Elon, Indiana, and Army. They are also very young.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
More opponent previews
Sunday, June 22, 2014
More opponent previews and other links
Although each game is its own event, I do think college football -- with its short season and young players -- lends itself to game to game momentum. That comes into play with Syracuse since we face them at the end of the season again and they have a bear of a schedule (as USA Today's preview points out). They play Notre Dame, Maryland and at Central Michigan out of conference. I think there is a good chance they are out of bowl contention before the come to Boston. Let's hope they have thrown in the towel by then.
Virginia Tech is another team we get late in the season. This preview emphasizes what we already know: their D will be good and their offense will be a question mark all year.
Colorado State returns all of their key offensive starters and might be a tougher opponent than we think.
Kuechly talked about BC football.
Virginia Tech is another team we get late in the season. This preview emphasizes what we already know: their D will be good and their offense will be a question mark all year.
Colorado State returns all of their key offensive starters and might be a tougher opponent than we think.
Kuechly talked about BC football.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Know your opponents: Quarterback edition
The past few seasons, Notre Dame blog Blue-Gray Sky has eschewed team-by-team previews and instead grouped opponent previews by position. I am ripping off honoring their idea with the BC version.
1. Wake Forest -- Riley Skinner. 2007: 2204 passing yards, 72.4 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Junior
Returning Starter
BC knocked Skinner out of the season opener last year. Despite his rough start, he put together another very good season. Skinner is very effective in the offense and has led the Deacs to two straight bowls. Entering the season you have to wonder if Skinner’s strange offseason will provide any distractions once play begins. I think Skinner will put the embarrassment behind him and be the best QB in the conference. His backup is Brett Hodges (who saw a little time against BC).
2. Notre Dame -- Jimmy Clausen. 2007: 1,254 passing yards, 56.3 completion percentage, 7 touchdowns, six interceptions.
Sophomore
Returning Starter
Clausen was the uber recruit of his class. He arrived in South Bend with almost as much hype as Ron Powlus. However an injury and a porous offensive line kept him from filling the void left by Brady Quinn. Because of the hype surrounding Clausen, fans reveled in his failure. I actually think Clausen showed potential in our game. Assuming he adjusts to the pace of the game this season and their offensive line improves, I expect him to have a much better year. Clausen can sit in the pocket and Notre Dame has added more weapons around him. He can make all the throws. Evan Sharpley returns as Clausen’s likely backup.
3. Virginia Tech -- Sean Glennon. 2007: 1,796 passing yards, 60.9 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, five interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
Every preview of Virginia Tech has them confidently at the top of their division. Yet no one has a clear understanding of how their QB situation will play out. After last season’s ACC Championship game win, you’d think that Glennon would be the sure incumbent. Was his late season play a sign of maturity or will he revert to the dear in headlights QB that BC saw in 2006? The backup Tyrod Taylor is the hope, savior, new Vick, yet looked very ordinary last year. Regardless if they split time or one wrests the job away from the other, I think Virginia Tech will get decent production from their QB this year.
4. Clemson -- Cullen Harper. 2007: 2,991 passing yards, 65.1 completion percentage, 27 touchdowns, six interceptions
Senior
Returning Starter
Maybe I am a little overly sensitive to all the “Harper was better than Ryan” talk, but I think Clemson’s QB might be the most overrated guy in the conference. He’s solid but unspectacular. In my opinion he’s a real beneficiary of the game-breaking talent around him and an offense that produces efficient and risk averse passing. Willy Korn is his talented backup. To me the key to beating Clemson is stopping the run game, not getting to Harper.
5. Florida State -- Drew Weatherford. 2007: 2,049 passing yards, 56.9 completion percentage, nine touchdowns, three interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
For the first time in his career Weatherford is not in a QB controversy. Xavier Lee, his foil the past three years, is gone. Weatherford is the statuesque pocket passer with the big arm. Even as he picked BC apart last season, I’ve never been that impressed with him. If BC can actually get to him this year, we should neutralize some of his big plays. If Weatherford succumbs to injury again, Christian Ponder and super recruit EJ Manuel will be called on to fill his shoes.
6. North Carolina -- TJ Yates. 2007: 2,655 passing yards, 59.7 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, 18 interceptions.
Sophomore
Returning Starter
The lanky Yates made some all-freshmen teams last year. He doesn’t have a big arm, but was able to move the ball. He also took a beating in the pocket. As their line improves and his decision making gets better, Yates’ numbers should improve. If he doesn’t progress, look for freshman Mike Paulus to get on the field.
7. Central Florida -- Michael Greco Jr. 2007: 303 passing yards, 53.3 completion percentage, zero touchdowns, one interception.
Junior
New starter
Greco is the expected starter. A one time NC State recruit, he took a detour through Junior College before heading to Central Florida. Greco moves well for his size and can tuck it and run if needed. If Greco doesn’t step up Central Florida is likely to go with Joe Weatherford – Drew’s younger brother. He’s less mobile than Greco and an untested redshirt freshmen.
8. Kent State -- Julian Edelmen. 2007: 1,318 passing yards, 51.9 completion percentage, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
Edelmen can run. He netted 455 yards on the ground last year and ran in two TDs. He suffered two big injuries in an abbreviated season last year. The rash of injuries Kent State went through last season gives them decent depth heading into this season. Anthony Magazu and Georgio Morgan will fight for the back up spot. Kent State’s QBs are asked to do many of the things BC will do this year: run, throw on rollouts, use the option.
9. Maryland -- Josh Portis 2007: Did not play.
Junior
New Starter
Maryland is one of a few BC opponents that will have a QB battle well into summer practice. Jordan Steffy, who suffered from concussions last year, is back and hoping to reclaim the starter role. Chris Turner, who had a career night against BC, is also back. But both are expected to step aside as Josh Portis finally takes snaps in College Park. Portis played at Florida as a true freshmen, but then bailed when Tim Tebow arrived. Despite off the field issues, Friedgen is ready to turn it over to him. His size and running ability is supposed to give Maryland’s offense a dynamic they haven’t had in years.
10. NC State -- Daniel Evans. 2007: 2,030 passing yards, 57.2 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
Yes, Daniel Evans is still around. The side-arming Cinderella who beat BC on a late throw in 2006 returns for his final go around. He’s yo-yo’d in and out of the lineup in his time at NC State. As BC fans know, he does just enough to beat you yet can also make real boneheaded mistakes. Justin Burke and Harrison Beck will also compete for the starting role. Mike Glennon, the first prototypical TOB QB at NC State, will also be on campus. If TOB stick to the script, Glennon will redshirt this year.
11. Georgia Tech -- Josh Nesbitt. 2007: 93 passing yards, 38.5 completion percentage, one touchdown, two interceptions.
Sophomore
New Starter
No offense will look more different from 2007 than Georgia Tech. We have no idea who will start either. Nesbitt is penciled in for now. Calvin Booker will also be in the mix. Neither will pass much, but that is not what they are asked to do in Paul Johnson’s system. Instead the difficulty comes in reading the D’s run defense and knowing when to hang on and when to pitch…all while taking a real beating. This year will be rough for whoever gets the call as QB.
12. Rhode Island -- Derek Cassidy. 2007: 1,020 passing yards, 49.7 completion percentage, five touchdowns, six interceptions.
Senior
New Starter
Cassidy is experienced, having started most of the past two seasons. So he’s got that going for him. That’s about it though. His stats and Rhode Island’s success are lacking. He’s been sacked a lot. If BC can’t shut him down, then we will have some serious questions about our season.
1. Wake Forest -- Riley Skinner. 2007: 2204 passing yards, 72.4 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Junior
Returning Starter
BC knocked Skinner out of the season opener last year. Despite his rough start, he put together another very good season. Skinner is very effective in the offense and has led the Deacs to two straight bowls. Entering the season you have to wonder if Skinner’s strange offseason will provide any distractions once play begins. I think Skinner will put the embarrassment behind him and be the best QB in the conference. His backup is Brett Hodges (who saw a little time against BC).
2. Notre Dame -- Jimmy Clausen. 2007: 1,254 passing yards, 56.3 completion percentage, 7 touchdowns, six interceptions.
Sophomore
Returning Starter
Clausen was the uber recruit of his class. He arrived in South Bend with almost as much hype as Ron Powlus. However an injury and a porous offensive line kept him from filling the void left by Brady Quinn. Because of the hype surrounding Clausen, fans reveled in his failure. I actually think Clausen showed potential in our game. Assuming he adjusts to the pace of the game this season and their offensive line improves, I expect him to have a much better year. Clausen can sit in the pocket and Notre Dame has added more weapons around him. He can make all the throws. Evan Sharpley returns as Clausen’s likely backup.
3. Virginia Tech -- Sean Glennon. 2007: 1,796 passing yards, 60.9 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, five interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
Every preview of Virginia Tech has them confidently at the top of their division. Yet no one has a clear understanding of how their QB situation will play out. After last season’s ACC Championship game win, you’d think that Glennon would be the sure incumbent. Was his late season play a sign of maturity or will he revert to the dear in headlights QB that BC saw in 2006? The backup Tyrod Taylor is the hope, savior, new Vick, yet looked very ordinary last year. Regardless if they split time or one wrests the job away from the other, I think Virginia Tech will get decent production from their QB this year.
4. Clemson -- Cullen Harper. 2007: 2,991 passing yards, 65.1 completion percentage, 27 touchdowns, six interceptions
Senior
Returning Starter
Maybe I am a little overly sensitive to all the “Harper was better than Ryan” talk, but I think Clemson’s QB might be the most overrated guy in the conference. He’s solid but unspectacular. In my opinion he’s a real beneficiary of the game-breaking talent around him and an offense that produces efficient and risk averse passing. Willy Korn is his talented backup. To me the key to beating Clemson is stopping the run game, not getting to Harper.
5. Florida State -- Drew Weatherford. 2007: 2,049 passing yards, 56.9 completion percentage, nine touchdowns, three interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
For the first time in his career Weatherford is not in a QB controversy. Xavier Lee, his foil the past three years, is gone. Weatherford is the statuesque pocket passer with the big arm. Even as he picked BC apart last season, I’ve never been that impressed with him. If BC can actually get to him this year, we should neutralize some of his big plays. If Weatherford succumbs to injury again, Christian Ponder and super recruit EJ Manuel will be called on to fill his shoes.
6. North Carolina -- TJ Yates. 2007: 2,655 passing yards, 59.7 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, 18 interceptions.
Sophomore
Returning Starter
The lanky Yates made some all-freshmen teams last year. He doesn’t have a big arm, but was able to move the ball. He also took a beating in the pocket. As their line improves and his decision making gets better, Yates’ numbers should improve. If he doesn’t progress, look for freshman Mike Paulus to get on the field.
7. Central Florida -- Michael Greco Jr. 2007: 303 passing yards, 53.3 completion percentage, zero touchdowns, one interception.
Junior
New starter
Greco is the expected starter. A one time NC State recruit, he took a detour through Junior College before heading to Central Florida. Greco moves well for his size and can tuck it and run if needed. If Greco doesn’t step up Central Florida is likely to go with Joe Weatherford – Drew’s younger brother. He’s less mobile than Greco and an untested redshirt freshmen.
8. Kent State -- Julian Edelmen. 2007: 1,318 passing yards, 51.9 completion percentage, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
Edelmen can run. He netted 455 yards on the ground last year and ran in two TDs. He suffered two big injuries in an abbreviated season last year. The rash of injuries Kent State went through last season gives them decent depth heading into this season. Anthony Magazu and Georgio Morgan will fight for the back up spot. Kent State’s QBs are asked to do many of the things BC will do this year: run, throw on rollouts, use the option.
9. Maryland -- Josh Portis 2007: Did not play.
Junior
New Starter
Maryland is one of a few BC opponents that will have a QB battle well into summer practice. Jordan Steffy, who suffered from concussions last year, is back and hoping to reclaim the starter role. Chris Turner, who had a career night against BC, is also back. But both are expected to step aside as Josh Portis finally takes snaps in College Park. Portis played at Florida as a true freshmen, but then bailed when Tim Tebow arrived. Despite off the field issues, Friedgen is ready to turn it over to him. His size and running ability is supposed to give Maryland’s offense a dynamic they haven’t had in years.
10. NC State -- Daniel Evans. 2007: 2,030 passing yards, 57.2 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 13 interceptions.
Senior
Returning Starter
Yes, Daniel Evans is still around. The side-arming Cinderella who beat BC on a late throw in 2006 returns for his final go around. He’s yo-yo’d in and out of the lineup in his time at NC State. As BC fans know, he does just enough to beat you yet can also make real boneheaded mistakes. Justin Burke and Harrison Beck will also compete for the starting role. Mike Glennon, the first prototypical TOB QB at NC State, will also be on campus. If TOB stick to the script, Glennon will redshirt this year.
11. Georgia Tech -- Josh Nesbitt. 2007: 93 passing yards, 38.5 completion percentage, one touchdown, two interceptions.
Sophomore
New Starter
No offense will look more different from 2007 than Georgia Tech. We have no idea who will start either. Nesbitt is penciled in for now. Calvin Booker will also be in the mix. Neither will pass much, but that is not what they are asked to do in Paul Johnson’s system. Instead the difficulty comes in reading the D’s run defense and knowing when to hang on and when to pitch…all while taking a real beating. This year will be rough for whoever gets the call as QB.
12. Rhode Island -- Derek Cassidy. 2007: 1,020 passing yards, 49.7 completion percentage, five touchdowns, six interceptions.
Senior
New Starter
Cassidy is experienced, having started most of the past two seasons. So he’s got that going for him. That’s about it though. His stats and Rhode Island’s success are lacking. He’s been sacked a lot. If BC can’t shut him down, then we will have some serious questions about our season.
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