Go back to August when we were all doing our annual look ahead. Is there anyone who would have predicted that UConn would enter this game with more wins than BC? Yet here we are. An apologist could spin this a lot of ways. UConn’s fight, after years of futility, is admirable. But let’s be honest: BC can’t lose this game. Even with our flaws, we have a significant talent advantage. If we can’t bring this one home, then we have the wrong people in place.
What’s on my mind (not totally related to this game)
Even though we’ve witnessed mediocre to bad football the past decade, it has all been relatively better than BC Basketball. Given how things are looking right now, it is probably safe to say basketball is going to have a better season than football. At a minimum it should be more fun than this year’s football season. I don’t know if the BC and Boston community will ever care about BC Basketball like they once did, but I encourage people to get on board. Grant is a likeable guy and his team last year played with an intensity that has been missing since the Skinner days. The expectations are growing and may be a bit premature, but I think we can expect this team to play competitive basketball all season and give us hope into March.
Three Simple Keys
1. Continue to use Jurk in the running game. It worked for a bit…until Wake adjusted. But making him a viable threat, makes UConn a little less aggressive and gives our OLine a little more time.
2. Stop their run game. Like us, UConn’s line and backfield are banged up. We need to make them one dimensional and stop the running game.
3. Mix up coverage. It is clear other teams are expecting man coverage on nearly every play. That is our base and our philosophy, so adding more wrinkles and different looks will create a few big plays or opportunities.
Gambling Notes
— BC leads the series 12-0-2
— UConn is 6-22 all time vs the ACC
— BC is 1-5 against the spread
The current line is BC-7.5
Factoid
UConn has not beaten an ACC in the 2020s.
Scoreboard Watching
Syracuse-Notre Dame. Both are future opponents. Both would be big wins for BC. Notre Dame is trying to find itself. Syracuse is trying to bounce back from last week. This is a big game for both.
What I hope to see…
Morehead take snaps during regulation because our lead is so big.
BC is in trouble if…
It comes down to late field goals. Our Special Teams are shaky as is. If it comes down to a late field goal, do you trust that we won’t choke this game away?
Bottom Line
We will win this game. It might be a simple as we have Zay and they don’t. If we are aggressive downfield and give him the ball in single coverage, we should jump start the scoring again.
Final Score: BC 31, UConn, 13