Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. Boston College Eagles (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
College Football Week 1
Date/Time: Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 7:30AM EST
Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
TV: ESPN2
By Loot, NCAA Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: GT -4/BC +4
Over/Under Total: Off
On Saturday in week one of the college football season, ACC teams the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the Boston College Eagles in Dublin, Ireland at Aviva Stadium. It's not your typical ACC battle to say the least. We're looking at a pair of 3-9 teams from last season, both looking to upgrade their positions in 2016. Which team can come out ahead in the Emerald Isle on opening week?
Last season, the Georgia Tech triple option fell flat, with Georgia Tech winning only once in their last lat ten games, though that game strangely came against ACC power Florida State. They were winless on the road last season and in desperate need of finding answers this season. Boston College wasn't much better, winning 3 of their first four games, before losing 8 straight to end the season—also with no road wins on the year. Like their opponents, they are looking for answers across all aspects of the game, but especially with an offense that was truly putrid last season.
BC enters 2016 riding an 8-game losing streak. Coach Steve Addazio has seen two positive seasons dissolve into a pair of subpar campaigns and he is desperate to reverse trajectory. He brought in offensive coordinator Scott Loeffler and you can at least count on the Eagles leaving it all on the table this season. Last season, QB Darius Wade, who went down to injury last season is back, but one would assume it will Kentucky transfer grad Patrick Towles behind center by the time the Eagles touch down in Dublin.
The Boston College offense was laughable last season, highlighted by a ground-game that didn't even average 4 yards per carry. Jon Hilliman returning from injury is expected to help that, with his replacement Myles Willis also back in the fold. The receiving unit is either non-impactful or they haven't had a quarterback whop can get the ball in their hands. It hasn't been easy to tell. But maybe Towles can help materialize some of the potential of guys like Thad Smith and Elijah Robinson. Three starters return to a line that should see measurable progress this season, with Jon Baker forming a nice foundation. The BC offense should see growth across all different areas in 2016. Loeffler has a lot of pieces in place and should help make this group less one-dimensional.
It says a lot of great things about a BC defense that was led the country in total "D" with an offense that gave them minimal support. New coordinator Jim Reid is in the fold and has a lot to work with. The line should be a handful again in '16, led by ends Harold Landry, Zach Allen, and DT Truman Gutapfel. This group's performance will be a key for the rest of the defense. The middle in manned by a capable unit, led by playmaking Matt Milano on the outside, along with Connor Strachan in the middle. The secondary is experienced, with Isaac Yiadom and Kamrin Moore at corner and safety John Johnson, who is one of the best in the conference.
The Georgia Tech offense will be once again depending on QB Justin Thomas, whose form slipped in 2015 after a promising 2014 campaign. It's hard to blame Thomas for all of that, particularly with a line that was utterly dysfunctional when it came to protecting their quarterback or in springing the ever-important Tech run-game. With that triple option, an effective line is a major prerequisite and they didn't come close to approaching a level of semi-respectability last season. With some experience and patience, this is a unit that can gel. It still remains a major concern, however.
The run-game won't lack in options, as they try to make something happen. Marcus Marshall and Clinton Lynch return, with some other backs hoping to crack the rotation—guys like Georgia transfer JJ Green. Receiver Ricky Jeune is a nice option, though the GT offense usually neglects the aerial attack. But the one shining point is a gaggle of backs to choose from, but if the line doesn't cooperate, it could be a long season for the Georgia Tech offense. Patience is the keyword for Yellow Jackets fans.
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The Georgia Tech defense will need to be good to keep them in the mix in games, but they lost a ton of starters and will again rely heavily on youth. There are probably too many questions that you can't expect all of them to be answered in the affirmative. The line returns DE KeShun Freeman and DT Patrick Gamble, but will feel the loss of Adam Gotsis. The best player on this unit is likely linebacker PJ Davis, even though his size is often an issue. The secondary lost all starters, but they have a wealth of options, like USC transfer Lamont Simmons at corner with CB Lance Austin, CB Step Durham, free safety AJ Gray, and strong safety Corey Griffin. This is a group that might come together with time.
By the end of the season, it will be interesting to do a comparative analysis of these two squads. But for opening week, Boston College might be more poised to hit the ground running. At the same time, BC still comes into the season riding 8 straight losses. They weren't dependable playing near home, so what can be expected in Dublin, Ireland? At the same time, the fact that they're getting points makes them at least a decent value in this game. I'll take the Eagles and the points.
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