Boston College at NC State: BC Offense vs. NCSU Defense
By Joe Micik
September 28, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Central Michigan tight end
Deon Butler(15) carries the ball after the catch and is tackled by North Carolina State safety
Hakim Jones(20) during the 1st quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
BC Offense vs. NCSU Defense: Stat Analysis
The problem with statistics is that they do not always capture the essence of what happens in reality. For example, having the number 43 offense with a statistically good defense should give Boston College the veneer of being a decent team, but while they have had some very good performances, they have counterbalanced with several poor efforts.
On paper, the Eagles never should have lost to Colorado State, but games are not played on paper. NC State might look inferior in a handful of categories, but having a top-ten running game does no good if the gameplan does not maximize talent by generating performance. Put another way, if Boston College calls a lousy game, then the great rush offense won’t look so great.
Players are also capable of having bad days, but even on a bad day for Boston College, they still rush for about 200 yards. The issue is that they don’t throw for any.
BC Offense vs. NCSU Defense: Injury Report
Wide reciever Bobby Swigert is out but hoping to return later this year. WR Harrison Jackson is out for the season. OL Harris Williams is still out following his injury against UMass. WR Drew Barksdale is also out.
BC Offense vs. NCSU Defense: Key Matchup
Jon Hilliman, et al. vs. Rodman Noel and the linebackers. Boston College only had five rushes for ten or more yards against Colorado State, and part of it was because they rarely got to the second level of defenders. The Eagles running backs are going to have to find ways to grind out those extra few yards to sustain drives against NC State’s linebackers like Noel, who leads the Pack with 5.5 tackles for a loss.
BC Offense vs. NCSU Defense: Final Thoughts
NC State’s defense has actually been mediocre to bad in four of the six games they have played so far. Their only real triumphs have been South Florida and Presbyterian, which are hardly triumphs at all. A big cause of concern for this unit is how poorly they do on third downs, leaving themselves unable to get off the field.
On the other hand, Boston College is a mystery on offense. They are capable of being a viable unit, but they are equally capable of laying an egg, for whatever cause. The Eagles have probably been the better group overall, but coming off of the games NC State and Boston College had on defense and offense, respectively, it is difficult to have faith in either group right now.