Finally time to start talking bowls

I've avoided too much bowl talk because for fear of it being premature. Now that we've become bowl eligible, I'm comfortable stoking the speculation a bit.

For most of the season, the ESPN folks slotted BC to Detroit or St. Pete. More recently focus shifted to the Pinstripe Bowl. Now Fox's Stewart Mandel thinks BC could rise as high as the Music City Bowl. While I am personally excited by the chance to see the team in Nashville, I am not fooling myself into thinking BC is ever going to be a local bowl committee favorite. Given that we are always in the also-ran bowls, these are my priorities for bowls:

1. Good destination for the players. This is still their reward. Good weather and good activities should be our priority. Of this year's realistic crop, the Bitcoin Bowl is probably the best destination. However, it would mean being away from home on Christmas.
2. Opponent. A Power 5 team is always preferred. It generates incremental interest and legitimacy the game.
3. Proximity to BC fans. While the attendance at Gillette was encouraging, I still have doubts about our fanbase travelling to any BC bowl. The Pinstripe would be a good test of that prejudice. The Milatary Bowl might get a decent BC contingent.
4. History of the bowl. Most of these games have been thrown together in the last ten years by a few locals and ESPN. The older, more established second-tier bowls offer a little history and aren't always looking for BC to buy tickets. That happened last year with the Independence Bowl. The same thing might happen this year if we get selected for the Sun Bowl.

We cannot play our way into the playoff or even the Big Six New Year's Games. But that doesn't mean that winning out won't make us more desirable. Now let's go out and shake things up and see where we land!

Nashville's talking points and other links

As the folks from Nashville start talking about receipts and revenue from the Music City Bowl, they have a clear talking point for BC. They have tagged us as a "team that doesn't travel." That's not news for us, but it is unfortunate that we were considered part of their "perfect storm."

This Globe article lists Gene, Skinner and TOB's BC salaries. I think these are in the ballpark, but I also question if it considers some of their fringe benefits too (cars, tuition, etc.).

The Sporting News projects BC as a 9 seed. SI has us on the bubble.

It is time to rehash the Mamula legacy again.

Raji's 40 time doesn't concern anyone.

HD's take on our newest staff member. My take is coming shortly.

Post bowl stuff and other links

Most of the bowl article focused on Vandy winning their first bowl since 1955. This article correctly focused on Vandy's special teams advantage.

The basketball team won their last tune up prior to ACC play.

Nashville businesses had a nice postgame boost from Vandy fans.

Brennan Williams is at the Army All America game. Word on the street is that he is headed to UNC.

No luck in Nashville

Throughout the BC bowl win streak we saw everything... close games, blowouts, some lucky bounces, big plays from role players, big days from stars, but in the end everything turned our way. Today it didn't. Bad throws, bad drops, bad special teams, stupid penalties, a few key injuries and a little bad luck. There was plenty of blame to go around. I am not broken up about the streak. It would have been nice to break the record, but this was a nice run. I am a bit broken up about losing. It sucks. Especially to lose in this way. We've been winning ugly with smoke and mirrors all season. Vandy beat us at our own game.

I'll have second viewing thoughts after January 1 and Year in Review stuff over the next two weeks. Happy New Year. 2009 should be interesting.

In-game comments post: Music City Bowl

The last game of the year. Let's end it on a high note.

I will not be online during the game. Leave your comments below.

Game Watches: Music City Bowl

This is your last football game until September. Make it count and enjoy it with a few other BC fans. If I've missed any locations, post it in the comments section.

OFFICIAL NASHVILLE PREGAME
The Tennessee Chapter of Boston College Alumni would like to invite you to the official BC tailgate before the Music City Bowl on Dec 31st. It will be held at http://www.oneeleven.com/. OneEleven is on top of Big River Grill on 2nd and Broadway. This is a terrific place to hang out with fellow BC fans before the game. It will be a kid friendly environment that will feature the BC band and cheerleaders at 12pm. All of the food, soda, and beer you can consume will be available for a low price of $30. Please sign on to the BC website ahead of time or you can pay at the door that day. This place is a short walk across the pedestrian bridge to the stadium. We look forward to seeing you there!!!

Atlanta Game Watch
Famous Pub
2947 N. Druid Hills Rd (Toco Hills Shopping Center)
Atlanta, GA 30329

Chicago Game Watch
Finley Dunnes Tavern
3458 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago

New York City Game Watch
Still
3rd Ave & 17th Street

Washington, DC Game Watch
Porter's Dining Saloon
The corner of 19th and M, Sts. NW and is walking distance from the Dupont Circle, Farragut North, and Farragut West Metro stations

Ryan award, basketball stuff, bowl news and other links

Matt Ryan won the rookie of the year award. Well deserved. Now let's hope he makes a run in the playoffs.

Basketball kept focused and handled San Francisco Monday. One more tune up before UNC on Sunday.

Former Eagle Sean Williams is now a D-Leaguer. Some blogger said this about Williams prior to the NBA Draft:

Five years from now: I think Sean will be out of the league. I hope I am wrong, but I just don’t see the drive he’ll need to succeed. Every guy in the NBA is very good. To hang around you need to be either uniquely skilled and/or extremely driven. I just don’t see it in Sean Williams.

This year's edition of the Music City Bowl won't be as lucrative as past years.

Tickets are still available for the game. For those going, here are the traffic updates.

The BC Band also took part in the festivities.

Jags is relaxed about the game.

Guest Blogger: Vanderbilt Sports Line

Our final guest blogger of the year is Vanderbilt Sports Line. This group of bloggers covers the Commodores and now have a bowl game in their own backyard. To get a better idea of what we can expect, I asked them a few questions. Their answers are below.

1. Scoring points have been an issue and QB play has been inconsistent. What should BC fans expect when Vanderbilt is on offense?

VSL: Unfortunately, not very much. Offensive Coordinator Ted Cain’s play-calling has long been public enemy #1 for Vanderbilt fans. You can strike me dead if there isn’t at least one end-around reverse (our 1 trick play), and a lot of QB keepers in 3rd and long situations. If BC’s defense is ever surprised by play, it’ll be one of the first times all season. Vanderbilt likes to run the ball, and that has certainly been the bread and butter of the offense. A big part of that will be whether Jared Hawkins is able to play after injuring his foot in the Tennessee game. While Jeff Jennings and Gaston Miller have played well, Hawkins is absolutely the best running back on the team. The QB question remains a mystery. The smart money is on Senior Chris Nickson getting the start, what happens after that is anyone’s guess. Mackenzi Adams and Nickson have gone back and forth all year spelling each other, playing well for a short time, and then subsequently being replaced by the other in short order. VSL would love to see the Larry Smith era start in earnest during the Music City Bowl, especially if Nickson struggles. While it was only a half, a lot of us really liked what we saw against Wake Forest.

2. You were only 3-3 at home this year. How much do you think playing in Nashville is an advantage? Is the "first bowl game in generation" stuff a distraction or a huge motivating factor?

VSL: There’s really no way to know. Vanderbilt has a way of coming out flat in “big” games, and then coming out surprisingly sharp when you least expect it. I personally think playing “at home” is much less of an advantage than playing in their first bowl game in 26 years. With that said, getting to win 6 took a long time, and the Commodores played uninspired football once the monkey was off their back against Tennessee at home and then at Wake Forest. I would hope that playing in their first bowl and having a shot at their first winning season since 1982 would be a huge motivating factor for this team. But there really is no telling. The defense always comes to play. It’s the offense and the special teams that have been the biggest question marks after Vanderbilt’s 5-0 start.

3. During the ACC expansion many critics said BC would be the "Vanderbilt of the ACC" meaning we wouldn't compete. Now clearly things have improved of late, but as Vanderbilt fans do you believe that your program can compete in the SEC on a regular basis? Are the supposed limitations legitimate or do you think this season is a sign of things to come?

VSL: There is no doubt that Vanderbilt can “compete” in the SEC. Now, does that mean Vanderbilt is likely to win an SEC title any time soon? Probably not, but there is no reason this can’t be a perennial 7-5 or 8-4 team. It’s certainly a “coulda, woulda, shoulda” argument, but if Vanderbilt comes to play against Mississippi State, Duke, Tennessee, and Wake Forest this team could easily have been 9-3 or even 10-2. They weren’t, and that’s football, but there is no doubt that Bobby Johnson and his staff have closed the talent-gap with other SEC teams. Are we ever going to be as deep? No. But this coaching staff has done a tremendous job at evaluating and finding talent otherwise overlooked (look at first round picks Jay Culter and Chris Williams). Vanderbilt is no longer the SEC doormat in the sense that teams can look past the Commodores. That is certainly progress. Making a bowl was huge for Vanderbilt, win or lose, because it dispels (somewhat) the “same old Vanderbilt” moniker that this team had acquired with so many close calls over the years. While they certainly “backed into” the Music City Bowl, Commodore fans have to be happy with how this team is progressing. With a new offensive coordinator, there’s no telling what this team could do.

4. What is your prediction for the game?
VSL: It’s a homer pick, but Vanderbilt 20 – BC 13

FOR MORE ON VANDY CHECK OUT VANDERBILT SPORTS LINE.

BC-Vanderbilt preview

I don't want to say I am worried about this game...I do have a slight bit of concern about the team's inability to let go of the ACC Championship loss. Hangovers can work both ways. I hope BC decides to take out their frustration against Vandy rather than coming out flat and watching the Commodores steal this one. The game is not for a major title or a prestigious bowl, but 10 wins, Top 25 rankings and keeping the streak alive is very important.

Narrative talking point that you’ll tire of by the end of the game.
"This is Vanderbilt's first bowl game since 1982." I wouldn't trade placed with Vanderbilt, but I think the media tends to overstate their ineptitude. This drought wasn't nearly as pitiful as similar stretches from say Northwestern or Kansas State. Since 1982 the Commodores have had numerous five win seasons that nearly had them eligible for bowls games. This is a big game, but it is not the first time Vanderbilt has been competitive since 1982.

Three Simple Keys
1. Pass efficiently. BC cannot be one dimensional. I don't want Davis to throw 40+ times but we still need to move the ball through the air.
2. Put pressure on whoever is the Vanderbilt QB. Vanderbilt might play three quarterbacks in Nashville. BC has faced its share of elusive QBs this season. In my opinion, the key is not just containing whoever they trot out, but actually sacking him. BC needs to disrupt their whole offense.
3. Error-free football. In Vanderbilt's biggest wins (Ole Miss, Auburn, South Carolina) they forced critical turnovers against teams with good Ds and shaky offenses (sound familiar?). BC cannot cough it up and waste scoring opportunities.

Gambling Notes
-- BC hasn't lost a non-conference game since 2004
-- Bobby Johnson is 2-4 against ACC teams as Vanderbilt's head coach
-- BC is 3-3 against SEC teams in bowl games
The current line is BC-3.5

Factoid
Vanderbilt has the most expensive tuition among the SEC schools. They are still more affordable than BC and Duke.

Scoreboard Watching
Scoreboard watching doesn't really apply right now. I guess we can continue to root for ACC teams to win. I really only care about the scoreboard in LP Field.

I hope to see...
Davis run the ball well. The zone option-runs that Crane exploited have been there. Davis' hesitation to call his own number and then run well when he does, have neutralized the play. If he runs it well, BC should be able to move the ball.

BC is in trouble if...
We get behind by 14. I don't know if the offense, as it is currently configured, can comeback on the road against a team who enters the game highly motivated.

Bottom Line
Even if Davis plays poorly, I still think our defense is going to cause plenty of problems for Vanderbilt. Despite my worries about coming out flat and unmotivated, I think the seniors will keep guys focused enough to take control. I don't think it will be pretty, but I still think BC wins comfortably.
Final Score: BC 17, Vanderbilt 7

Dominique Davis: Present and Future?

Dominique Davis will enter rare company with the start in the Music City Bowl. He will become the first BC freshmen to start at least three games at QB since Glenn Foley. Think about that. With all the talent that has come through, none either had the maturity or circumstances to get on the field as often as Davis. Think of the multiple rebuilding eras. Since Foley, Coughlin, Henning, TOB and Jags have all come to BC and gone with veteran QBs instead of rolling the dice with their own new guy. Despite the ups and downs, QB has been a relatively deep position for the Eagles.

Yet, even with this sort of on the job training Davis is assured of nothing next year. Close observers and the media expect Justin Tuggle to fight for the job this spring. BC also continues to woo QB prospects with the promise of early playing time.

This bowl game could be the launching point for Dominique Davis or the end of his time at the center of the BC offense. Just remember what Steve Logan said earlier in the season

"...after the third game you are going to get what you get."

If Davis struggles in Nashville there might not be much upside. But if he looks good, it could also mean that he has a nice long BC career ahead of him.

Home is where the heart is (for everyone but BC)

Until they start playing postseason games at Fenway or Foxboro, BC will never have a defacto home field advantage during a bowl. While we haven’t played a Murder’s Row during the “Bowl Streak,” there has been an overlooked degree of difficulty. By taking on Vanderbilt in Nashville, BC is once again in a virtual road game for a bowl. Take a look at some of the similar situations BC faced during the streak.

Bowl: 2002 Motor City Bowl
Opponent: Toledo
Location: Ford Field
Distance from Toledo’s Campus: 61 Miles

Bowl: 2004 Continental Tire Bowl
Opponent: North Carolina
Location: Bank of America Stadium (fka Ericsson Stadium)
Distance from North Carolina’s Campus: 112 Miles

Bowl: 2005 MPC Bowl
Opponent: Boise State
Location: Bronco Stadium
Distance from Boise State’s Campus: NA (it is their home field)

Bowl: 2008 Music City Bowl
Opponent: Vanderbilt
Location: LP Field
Distance from Vanderbilt’s Campus: 3 Miles

BC managed to win the previous "virtual" road games. Let's hope the streak within the "Bowl Streak" also continues in Nashville.

Music City Promo

You may have seen this already on bceagles.com. It's the schools promotional clip for the Music City Bowl. I don't know if it will drive ticket sales but it looks pretty slick.


[EDITED: Removed so readers don't have to hear the promo ever time they come to the page.]

Go to bceagles.com to see it again.

Revisiting the 2001 Music City Bowl

This is not BC's first trip to Nashville. In 2001 our beloved Eagles took on Georgia in the Music City Bowl. The memorable game marked an important point in TOB's tenure, a turning point for a few BC players and as BC's second straight bowl win, was the beginning of the "Bowl Streak."

Prior to the game
2001 was an important year for TOB. It was the first time while at BC that he fielded a team of just "his players." After taking a slight step back in 2000, 2001 showed that the program was headed in the right direction. Brian St. Pierre served as the template for which TOB would groom his QBs and William Green, TOB's first star recruit, was living up to expectations. Entering the bowl game, BC was only 7-4. But that included two losses to very good Miami and Virginia Tech teams. And in the Miami game, TOB nearly upset one of the greatest college teams of all time. No other team even came close to giving the 'Canes a game that year.

Yet there were still doubts. BC lost a winnable game at Stanford and TOB had yet to beat a ranked team.

If BC came into the game viewed as a respectable team, Georgia entered as a team on the rise and a media darling. New coach Mark Richt had overachieved with a freshman QB (David Greene) and a freshmen DE (David Pollack). The Dawgs entered the game 8-3, but lost all three games in close fashion. (The nucleus of this team would go 13-1 and win the SEC the following season).

Georgia was favored and few thought BC could keep up with the SEC speed or beat the Dawgs in a virtual road game in Nashville.

The Game
Georgia stunned BC early with an big return into BC territory. They were up 7-0 less than a minute in. They continued to move the ball on their next drive only to see BC force a fumble. Slowly but surely on the legs of William Green, BC clawed back into the game. The Eagles took a 13-10 lead into halftime. The second half was a more defensive battle. The Dawgs slowed Green and we kept their young offense off balance with different looks. The Bulldogs committed four turnovers that night. The game ultimately turned on clock management. Richt elected to punt on fourth down with 1:40 left. BC ate most of the time and left the UGA with only a few seconds to get a final score. But the D stood up and gave TOB his first win over a ranked opponent.

After the Game
Green left BC early to enter the NFL Draft. He and Marc Colombo were both taken in the first round. Although he still had a rough go against ranked teams, TOB would follow up this upset of Georgia by taking down an undefeated ND team the following season.

The most important aspect of the win was the respect it earned. BC finished 2001 ranked for the first time 1994.

Bring the band!

As you've noticed in the comments section of previous posts, the full band will not be in Nashville. Instead BC will travel with just 39 members. The full band needs to be there. Here's why:

-- The band kids put in hours of their time for our entertainment. Their payoff is a trip like this. They've earned it, just like the players.
-- The school can't ask all of us to turnout and then not bring along an important element of the college football experience like the band.
-- Revenue is shared among the ACC, so the cost or prestige of the bowl shouldn't impact the decision.
-- It's the Music City Bowl. If any group of people appreciate the destination, it will be the band members. I am sure they will use the little down time they have to check out some of the country music tourist stops.

I don't know where the 39 number came from. It may have something to do with the size of the charter or available hotel rooms. If a 40th member necessitates another plane, have some of the folks fly commercial. Or send the band down in a bus. These kids earned a trip too. Unless there is reason against sending a larger band, then BC should step up and get these BC guys and gals to Nashville.

Real attendance numbers and other links

27,360 people walked through the turnstiles at Raymond James Stadium Saturday. People can claim they will be there when BC makes an Orange or BCS bowl but the past two years blast holes right through that straw man. For those few who are legitimately waiting for THE BC trip you're missing out and may wait for a long, long time.

The Music City Bowl officials are worried about Vanderbilt fans not spending enough money. There should be plenty of good hotel rooms from which to choose.

BC has offered 2010 running back Jamaal Jackson.

BC was among those schools visiting Joel Knight.

The dates are set for our next two home games with Kent State.

Why Music City matters

This game is generating luke warm interest for the unbiased and unaffiliated. I am sure there are some BC fans who are indifferent to what happens in Nashville. The game might not be a sexy destination or against a marquee oponent, but it still matters. BC must win this game. Here's why:

1. A win will elevate BC back into the Top 25 rankings. BC slipped out of the Top 25 after losing the ACC Championship. A win in the bowl game should be enough to get BC into the final Top 25 poll. Rankings are a tangible accomplishment in college football, they provide pride to the program and they legitimize our sales pitch to recruits.

2. A win gets BC to the 10 win mark. This would be the third straight year of 10 wins or more...something our former coach didn't believe was possible at BC.

3. A win extends the bowl win streak. Emphasis on the bowl streak has bothered some BC fans (including this one). But each year as the streak gets longer and as it starts to include more BCS opponents, it becomes a little more legitimate. A win in Nashville extends the streak to 9 wins. Florida State holds the record of 11 straight bowl wins. The record is in reach. But to get there we have to take care of business against Vandy.

I would rather be playing in the Orange Bowl, but we need to make the most of this opportunity. And outside of the historic implications, it is a chance to end the season on a high note and gives the seniors a chance to go out as winners.

Davis' rough homecoming and other links

Dominique Davis admits he wasn't in the right frame of mind for the ACC Championship Game. Coming home to friends and family proved to be a bit of a distraction. He says the right things about trying to get back next year.

Nashville is excited to have Vanderbilt involved in the game. It should help sell more tickets locally.

HD put BC at No. 3 in her Power Rankings.

BC still leads for Georgia Linebacker Joel Knight.

Fitchburg kid Keith Bourne is very excited about his future at BC.

Jacksonville feels vindicated by Tampa's attendance issues.

More to come on Music City

For those who don't already know, we are going to play Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl. It is late Sunday and I had a long weekend. But I'll have more on the game this week.

I'll also touch on the UMass game and the BC-BU hockey series.