Boston College at NC State: NCSU Offense vs. BC Defense
By Joe Micik
Oct 4, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
NCSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Stat Analysis
Like we said yesterday, the stats mostly look nice for the Eagles, but what do they mean, anyway?
So Boston College has the 13th-best total defense so far in terms of sheer numbers, not factoring in difficulty of schedule. Those numbers were better before the Colorado State game, and could not save the Eagles from giving the game away in the second half.
Statistics mean little if the coaching does not adapt. For much of the first half against the Rams, Boston College looked like the team the numbers say they are, but once Colorado State figured out how to cause trouble for the defense, the Eagles failed to adjust.
Another stat: if blown tackles were tracked, the Eagles would be high up the list.
As for the Wolfpack, yes, they fattened up on bad teams before entering ACC play, and yes, they had a lousy game against Clemson. What one should probably take away from all this is that NC State is not as bad of an offensive team as they looked against the Tigers — and Boston College is not necessarily as good of a defensive team as most of their stats would indicate.
NCSU Offense vs. BC Defense: The Gator Connection
Jacoby Brissett, the new quarterback for NC State this season, has something in common with Boston College’s Tyler Murphy. Both were teammates at Florida, and both got out of Dodge (er, Gainesville).
Both also seem to be more appealing options than Jeff Driskel, so good luck with that, Will Muschamp.
NCSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Key Matchup
Brissett vs. the Eagles secondary. The Eagles are permanently down junior corner Bryce Jones, making a thin secondary thinner. We all saw what Garrett Grayson did to Boston College when throwing the ball late, as there were no maroon jerseys in the vicinity of his Rams receivers.
If the Eagles do not adjust here and are not willing to tweak the gameplan, Brissett could have a big game. He is a talented player, so he could have a big game, anyway.
NCSU Offense vs. BC Defense: Final Analysis
One would think both the Wolfpack offense and Eagles defense have more to show than they did last week. The question is how much more.
What was concerning about Boston College in their last game was their inability (or refusal) to limit Colorado State’s effectiveness when it was clear that they had been figured out. It is puzzling about NC State that they could hang 41 points on Florida State and none the following week against Clemson.
The point is both units are inconsistent against competition closer to their own level. As with the other offense and defense, this also looks like a draw.