Villanova at Boston College: BC Offense vs. Nova Defense
By Joe Micik
Villanova at Boston College: BC Offense vs. Nova Defense Key Matchups
Boston College’s offensive line vs. Villanova’s defensive line. The Eagles’ offensive line did not get the job done last year, but they’re getting one of their easiest assignments of the season to start 2013. With that said, even though in FCS, Villanova did still sack the opposition 27 times and BC let in three dozen defenders. Understanding that it’s the first game of the season, if they have trouble figuring their stuff out against a team on a lower level of competition that only puts three guys up front, that’s going to cause some concern. The best thing the Eagles’ offensive line can do for itself is go out there and use their sizes to their advantage.
One key player on the Nova defensive line is 290 lb. nose guard Antoine Lewis, a preseason FCS First-Team All-American. BC center Andy Gallik will need to hold up under the pressure he’s going to be facing.
Chase Rettig vs. Villanova secondary. Villanova runs a base 3-3-5 defense with a variety of different blitzing schemes. With a crowded backfield and confusing looks from the defense, Rettig has to be able to find his receivers. One might think, however, that this defensive scheme would lend itself to BC running the ball more to open up the pass. A key Wildcats player here is Craig James, no relation to the former ESPN commentator, who is a senior corner. Another is FS Joe Samese, who led the team in tackles last season with 81.
Villanova at Boston College: BC Offense vs. Nova Defense Evaluation
Villanova’s top-shelf talent is not better than Boston College’s top-shelf talent and that’s just a fact. That is not meant as a slight, but a truism about the disparity between FBS and FCS, even a team like BC that lost ten games last year. Chase Rettig has at least one reliable weapon in Alex Amidon and Andre Williams appears to be at full strength running the football. Given that BC is going to spread the ball out more and give the Wildcats different looks themselves, this could potentially go quite well for the Eagles. If the offensive line plays well, the Eagles could score a respectable point total. Boston College favored.