Eagles eligible for upset
BC looks to bowl over Miami
Boston College coach Steve Addazio’s three preseason objectives are to win the opener, attain bowl eligibility and compete for a championship. The Eagles checked the first box with a 55-21 victory over U Mass on Sept. 1 and are in a favorable position to secure the second with five ACC games remaining. BC (5-2, 2-1) can attain bowl eligibility with an upset victory over No. 25 Miami (5-2, 2-1) in a divisional crossover game tonight (7) at Alumni Stadium. The Eagles have participated in five postseason games in the last six seasons under Addazio but never reached bowl eligibility in October. The last time BC was bowl eligible in October was 2009. Clinching a win against the reigning Coastal Division champions would be a huge momentum boost for BC heading into the November stretch when it plays at Virginia Tech and Florida State and hosts Clemson and Syracuse. “I remember last year at this time we were (4-4) so we knew we had a couple of games to get bowl eligible,” said senior defensive end Wyatt Ray. “One win away from being bowl eligible would juice up guys a little bit and knowing the more games you win the higher bowl you can get to. But the main attitude is that we take it game by game and focus on this one to get six and then we can take off from there.” Getting into the end zone against the Hurricanes won’t be easy. Miami ranks No. 1 in the ACC in total defense (236.4 yards per game) and is at or near the top in several significant categories. The ’Canes are first in pass defense (130.9), third in run defense (105.6), first in pass defense efficiency (94.7), third in sacks (24), second in opponent first downs (14.6) and tied with BC for the lead with 11 interceptions. “They have got a great defense and they always have,” Addazio said. “They have really talented players but their whole team is talent, they have talented players spread across that team. “We need to play our ‘A’ game, we need our best players firing on all cylinders because we are playing a very talented football team. We are going to play against a super defense no doubt about it.” BC’s ground game will receive a significant boost with the return of tailback AJ Dillon, the ACC’s preseason Player of the Year. Dillon rolled his ankle early in the third quarter of BC’s 45-35 victory over Temple Sept. 29 at Alumni Stadium. Platooning tailbacks Ben Glines and true freshman power back David Bailey shredded Louisville with 219 combined rushing yards at The Heights on Oct. 13.