Colorado State at Boston College: BC Offense vs. CSU Defense
By Joe Micik
Sep 13, 2014; Fort Collins, CO, USA; UC Davis Aggies running back Gabe Manzanares (41) is tackled by Colorado State Rams safety
Trent Matthews(16) in the third quarter at Hughes Stadium. The Rams defeated the Aggies 49-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
BC Offense vs. CSU Defense: Stat Analysis
Colorado State’s defense gives up a lot of yardage, but gets better when it comes to actual scoring by the other team. In their three games so far, they have gotten hit for some big gains but not as many points as one would think would correspond to that.
Yet, what sticks out is the huge disparity between Eagles rushing offense and Rams rushing defense. Boston College is far better in this element of the matchup. While Colorado State is giving up over five yards a carry, Boston College is gaining over six yards per carry. Neither one of those bodes well for the Rams unless they can figure out how to do what only Pittsburgh has been able to do so far.
Interestingly enough, the Eagles have had 13 run plays of at least 20 yards; Colorado State has only allowed four, and their longest rush allowed was only 36 yards. For reference, Boston College’s longest rush of the year was last week against Maine for 71 yards, and they have logged five rushes of over 50 yards. The Eagles mean serious business on the ground.
That is truly where this battle will be won or lost, since the passing game is a non-factor.
BC Offense vs. CSU Defense: Key Matchup
Boston College rushers vs. Aaron Davis. The senior Colorado State linebacker is second on the team in tackles with 25, but he leads with three tackles for a loss. In 2013, he was a leading part of a Rams team that had a top-30 run defense, netting 113 tackles. He has big shoes to fill left by Shaquil Barrett, the best player on the Rams’ defense last season with a whopping 20.5 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. If Davis does not get the job done, it could be a long day for Colorado State’s front seven.
BC Offense vs. CSU Defense: Final Analysis
Colorado State has done an average job, not great, at the bend-but-don’t-break defense so far. Boston College has shown so far that they can get those defenses to break if they can get their ground game working. It feels as though the Eagles are only ever one good block away from a 50-yard run, and as we have seen so far, they are doing well at closing drives with points.
The Rams are at this point not the same defense they were last year with regards to Boston College’s one key strength, and they will have their hands full. The news is not all great for Boston College here but players like Davis and defensive tackle Terry Jackson must have big games if Colorado State is to hold the Eagles at bay.