Facts about the Opposition: Boston College

Boston College Eagles

Game Information - Friday September 5, 2014, Alumni Stadium. 7:00 ESPN

Location - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Enrollment - 14,359 (9,110 undergrads; 4,673 postgraduates)

Stadium - Alumni Stadium  44,500 capacity

Notable Alumni - Doug Flutie, Heisman winner; Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons QB; Amy Poehler, actor/comedian.

Conference Affiliation - ACC (2005-present)

National Championships - One claimed, 1940.

Head Coach - Steve Addazio (7-6 at BC, 20-17 overall)

Series History - Pitt leads the series 16-13. Pitt won the last meeting 20-17 in overtime.

SB Nation site - BC Interruption and their Twitter account

Boston College must begin life without Andre Williams. The BC back had a banner season last year that saw him finish fourth in the Heisman voting and taken in the fourth round by the New York Giants in the NFL Draft. Williams rushed for 2,100 yards and 18 scores and was more than just the focal point of the offense, he was the offense. Beyond Williams, the Eagles lose their starting quarterback, Chase Retting as well. Tyler Murphy looks like he will be the next guy up to play QB for Boston College. Murphy is a senior and a  transfer from Florida. BC Interruption seemed to be impressed with his running ability in the Spring game, and there is optimism around Murphy.

Myles Willis will be the guy tasked with replacing Andre Williams. He actually played very well as a freshman, rushing for 346 yards as a backup, and he could be one of the surprise players of the league. The rest of the skilled positions are in question, as Dan Crimmins is the only returning wide receiver that caught at least 10 passes last season. The defense for Boston College was rated 78th in the country last year in points allowed. They lose a good deal of talent in the front seven, but they return some key players in the secondary like Dominique Williams and Sean Sylvia.

Overall, Boston College is much like Pitt in that they have gone through some coaching turmoil in recent seasons, and their roster reflects that to a degree. New England is not the most ideal place to build a powerhouse football program, but through the years BC has survived and remained respectable. Still, the ACC Atlantic Division is a death trap these days with Florida State, Clemson, and now Louisville lurking on the schedule. Boston College has some promise, but losing a Heisman caliber running back and banking on a transfer to guide the team in a highly difficult division does not bode well for Boston College.

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