As BC Accepts its Bid to the Emerald Bowl, We Look Back on the Regular Season

If SuperFans had been told before the season started that the Eagles would be playing USC in a bowl game, they would have probably thought that they were hallucinating. For the first time since 2001, the Trojans are not ranked, and the 8-4 BC squad will take on the 8-4 USC squad in the Emerald Bowl on December 26th in San Francisco.

The University of Spoiled Children is still extremely talented, and it should be a fun, yet daunting task, for the Eagles. Our maroon and gold still have several weeks ahead of them in the bubble in preparation, but the regular season has drawn to a close and it is time to analyze what happened and where it is going.

In some senses, this season was very typical for Boston College. They went 8-4, which is right around where we finish every year. We are playing in a mediocre bowl, which is to be expected because of our weak traveling fan base. Thank God we do not have to watch the Eagles take on the Trojans on the Smurf field in Boise. At least San Franisco can probably scrap together enough mashed potatoes to feed the Eagles in the holiday season. A marquee opponent also beats playing a service academy, regardless of their triple option threat.

While we were unable to get over the hump this year, it would have been kind of absurd if we had. BC was picked last in the ACC in the pre-season coaches’ poll. Although we are often picked last in the pre-season polls, one had a reason to believe that the coaches might actually be right this year. We had the most tumultuous offseason in BC history since the mid-1990s gambling fiasco.

We lost our head coach in truly bizarre fashion. We lost our best player and sure-fire first rounder in Mark Herzlich for the season due to his battle with cancer. Our quarterback transferred and/or was kicked out for loving XBOX too much. A man who was picked 118th overall in the 2003 MLB draft came in and tried to resurrect the situation. Even though he was only picked four slots after Jonathan Papelbon and four ahead of Ian Kinsler, that did not necessarily mean he would be the next Matt Ryan. Needless to say, a cloud of uncertainty hovered over the program heading into the season.

Shinskie certainly was not Matt Ryan this year (fyi, he graduated high school in 2003, the same year as Ryan), but he showed signs of some potential. He usually played well at home, except for the UNC game. He struggled greatly on the road though and cost the team some games, most glaringly the debacle in South Bend. It will be interesting to see what the coaches make of his season and whether or not they will stick with him for next year. It will also be interesting to see what Shinskie wants to do. One must think that he will certainly come back for at least another year and see how it goes.

It is feasible that there will be a slightly open quarterback race in the offseason. Incoming freshman Chase Rettig has impressed some and has the reputation that, if true, should certainly challenge Uncle Dave. The gunslinger from San Clemente, CA, was offered by Lane Kiffin and the Volunteers, which is saying something due to his recruiting prowess. One would have to figure that to-be sophomore Michael Marscovetra would have to be in the running as well. The freshman played some this year and did not look all that bad. There were whispers in the football hierarchy that Spaz actually liked Marscovetra in the beginning but DeFilippo was pushing hard for Shinskie. Thus, it should figure to be a three-headed battle from January on (Rettig enrolls in January.)

While hopefully the quarterback situation figures itself out, we seem to be set at halfback with 2nd-team, All ACC sophomore Montel Harris. Harris rushed for 1355 yards and 13 TDs this season. While we lost Josh Haden to a silly transfer and likely to an underwhelming, pirate-loving school in Carolina, we still have some depth at halfback. Deuce Finch showed some talent in his play this year which was cut short by mononucleosis. Sterlin Phifer was redshirted, but could figure into the mix. Incoming freshman Andre Williams is also supposed to be a rather talented ballplayer. The Pennsylvanian could be our power back as he weighs slightly over 200 pounds as a high school senior.

The line should be quite solid, assuming Mark Spinney can step up for the graduating Matt Tennant. That is a tough order however as Tennant is a finalist for the Rimington Trophy (nation’s top center). Anthony Castonzo will anchor that line at left tackle. The rest of the offense has some promise, as well. Lars Anderson and Chris Pantale return at tight end which gives them some solid depth there.

There will certainly be some hype following Colin Larmond Jr. this offseason. The sophomore is probably the most athletic player on the team and he showed signs of greatness. He hauled in 26 catches and 5 TDs but showed true flashes of brilliance. However, he was also inconsistent and had some key drops. His drops against UVA and UMD are just some that come to mind. They will need him to elevate his play as Rich Gunnell and Justin Jarvis are departing for the real world and/or a future in football. Hopefully Clyde Lee can bring his practice skills to the game as the team has previously said that his speed is electrifying on Shea Field. Incoming freshman Shakim Phillips and Bobby Swiggert will also fight for playing time.

The defensive side of the ball should be solid, especially if Herzlich can return. The man is made of titanium both literally and figuratively. If he and freshman-freak Luke Kuechly are patrolling backfields together next year, it could be scary for all ACC quarterbacks. The secondary returns a good portion of its members, excluding the hammer, Mr. Marcellus Bowman. Roderick Rollins is also departing from the Heights.

If the Eagles are able to generate a better pass rush they should have a good defense. Our bona fide punter Ryan Quigley returns, but we must replace Sid Vicious. The man with the most points in BC history is finally leaving BC, a hard day indeed. It seems that Quigley or freshman Nate Freese will replace this legendary SuperFan.

Thus, while we must find a new opener for next year, Hofstra axed its football program, it could be a fun season next year, especially if a few things fall into place. I will leave you with two images that should leave you in a fury of anticipation: Montel Harris striking a mean Desmond Howard-esque Heisman pose in early September, and Mark Herzlich running out of that tunnel with Alumni Stadium ringing as loud as Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night.

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