Bye Week Breakdown: Boston College Defense

Defensive line

Boston College’s defensive line play last year got the criticism of some folks because they had a tendency not to get to the passer. Now, in retrospect, I think most Boston College fans would gladly take last year’s product over this year’s.

Though that 2010 team did not get to the quarterback very often, they were pivotal in creating the number one rush defense in the nation. Now, because of injuries and poor play, the Eagles are in the middle of the FBS pack with a number-68 run defense.

Also, just as in previous years, this team does not get sacks. They have averaged one per game and haven’t even come close to matching the amount of pressure opposing defenses put on Chase Rettig. The failure of the run defense and the inability to hammer away at the other team’s quarterback has also served to open up the passing game, and we know how that’s going.

Not having Kaleb Ramsey (medical redshirt) hurts, but not having last year’s experience of Alex Albright and Brad Newman also hurts. This isn’t to say it’s been all bad, however. Max Holloway, for example, has had a nice season to date and, most recently, played very well against Clemson.