Can the Eagles get to a bowl game?
On Saturday afternoon, the Boston College football team will begin their two game homestand to end the 2024 regular season. Sitting at 5-5, the Eagles need to win just one of these final two games in order to reach bowl eligibility. First up on the slate are the UNC Tar Heels, who have defeated BC five times in a row since 2005, although two of those wins (2008 & 2009) were vacated.
Who: Boston College Eagles (5-5) vs North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4)
Where: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
When: Saturday November 23rd, 2024
Kickoff Time: 12pm ET
How to Watch: This game will be broadcast live on the CW and streamed online here
Our staff has spent this week compiling some great content to preview this match-up. Take a look:
BC vs UNC: Tar Heels Team Preview
Talking Boston College Football vs UNC with Tar Heel Blog!
UNC vs. Boston College Football: Betting Preview & Prediction
What to Watch For
- Contain Omarion Hampton. On the offensive side of the ball, UNC will be force-feeding their big star runningback Omarion Hampton. Hampton leads the ACC in rushing yards & rushing touchdowns and he just ran for a season-high 244 yards on Wake Forest last week. BC’s run defense is certainly better than their paper-thin secondary, but Hampton will be a huge threat regardless.
- Protect Grayson James. BC’s upset bid against SMU last week was dashed when the Mustangs pass rush got to the quarterback on both third and fourth down of the final drive for two sacks to basically seal the game. With star UNC defensive end Kaimon Rucker on the other side of the field this week, the Eagles need to do a better job of giving their new QB time to make his throws.
- Sling it downfield! If there is one major weakness to this UNC team, it’s their pass defense. Luckily Boston College now has a quarterback that can throw it past the sticks. As long as James gets time in the pocket, he should have ample room to throw to Lewis Bond, Reed Harris, Jeremiah Franklin, and more.
Prediction: Boston College 35 North Carolina 31
This game totally relies on the BC offensive line and their ability to protect the QB. We know that UNC will probably have a good day on offense no matter what, so Grayson James will need protection to throw the ball downfield. I think they can do it! The Eagles have scored at least 4 touchdowns in both games since Grayson James got under center. But I’m expecting this game to be a hard-fought battle.