Boston College Bye Week: 5 Big Questions

Oct 18, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cole Stoudt (18) is tackled by Boston College Eagles defensive end Kevin Kavalec (left) during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Boston College Bye Week: 5 Big Questions — #1

Several times this year, we have seen a lack of adjustment on defense, but overall the results have been good. What do we make of all this?

Don Brown loves to blitz. We always see it, we know we will always see it, and sometimes, it works.

Other times, it does not, and we see that, too. In a handful of games this season, with Colorado State and Louisville as notable examples, Boston College has continued to blitz and create a greater exposure within their secondary, even when it is blindingly obvious that the other team has figured it out and it’s no longer working to their advantage.

The blitz is a high-risk, high-reward defensive concept that has served Boston College well for the most part since Brown has come here, but there have been those games where it looks on defense like the Eagles are not doing anything differently throughout the course of a game. Against Colorado State, for example, by the end of the first half, the Rams’ offensive line was blocking better for the quarterback and receivers were getting wide open. Same thing against Louisville, whose quarterbacks had all day to throw despite sending constant pressure.

The numbers (generally) do not lie and the defense has been improved this season. Still, a little flexibility might be nice. On the other hand, maybe Boston College’s defense would be even worse if they don’t blitz all the time. Who knows at this point.