BC to learn a lot against Missouri
The Power-5 Conferences make a big deal about how their teams perform against big-time programs outside their respective leagues.
So Saturday’s noon kickoff at Alumni Stadium will be a chance to see just how good host Boston College (3-0) of the ACC stands up against SEC foe Missouri (2-1).
The Tigers are the first SEC team to visit Chestnut Hill since Tennessee on Halloween in 1987 and the two programs are meeting for the first time. Dating to 1937, BC is 16-20-1 against SEC members — and incredibly, 3-1 against Alabama.
“I don’t think about what conference we are playing against,” said BC coach Jeff Hafley. “Missouri is a good team and they are really well coached and very talented but it doesn’t matter to us what conference they play in. People can make a big deal of it and they will, but it is just not how I handle it and no disrespect to the SEC. We are not going to talk about that.”
Missouri represents a huge step up in class from the Eagles’ three previous opponents, Colgate, UMass and Temple.
The game gives the Eagles a chance to measure themselves starting their ACC slate against national powerhouse Clemson on Oct. 2.
“I like any match-up,” said Hafley. “I see a really good football team and we respect everybody we play and I’m just happy to be coaching ball, man.
“We get a chance to go out on Saturday and play in front of fans. Whether it is the SEC, the Big 10, the Big 12, whoever they put on the schedule I will be happy to play. I have a tremendous amount to respect for Missouri, their players and their staff and it will be a big test and I am excited for it.”
A 4-0 start would be BC’s first since 2007. Some of the players on the current roster were around in 2018 when BC opened 3-0 and then got bushwhacked 30-13 at Purdue. One of them was safety Brandon Sebastian.
“We are going against an SEC opponent and this will be my first matchup against an SEC team and I am definitely looking forward to it,” said Sebastian. “Their receivers are a good group and they have the most depth we’ve seen and we are going to have a challenge with the DBs. We are going to have to buckle up and enjoy the ride this weekend. I think that the atmosphere for this game is going to be really crazy and I’m excited because I have a bunch of family coming to the game. “
Quarterback Dennis Grosel will be making his 10th career start and second of the season. Grosel replaced Phil Jurkovec, who suffered a season-ending hand injury against UMass.