Boston College vs. Syracuse Football History
Syracuse has a substantial historical edge over BC historically with a 33-23 advantage in their matchups. BC scraped out a gritty win last year against the Big Orange, winning 17-10. Both these teams are vastly different this year.
Key Players for Boston College
Donovan Ezeiruaku – Defensive End
Donovan Ezeiruaku is consistently being mocked in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. He is a huge star that is shining through this year for the Eagles. However, Ezeiruaku is without a sack in back-to-back games after wrecking the game earlier in the year. He needs to get back in the backfield and disrupt opposing quarterbacks or BC will continue to struggle.
Kyle McCord is prone to taking sacks as he is a very limited athlete, but when given time he can sling it with the best of them. Ezeiruaku is the key to stopping that attack.
Treshaun Ward – RB
Treshaun Ward went from being an essential player on the offense, to disappearing overnight. The result – multiple losses.
An argument can be made that it is a bit of a chicken or the egg situation, relative to whether BC is winning or losing and needs to play catch up. However, Ward has been electric with the ball in his hands this year and needs to be involved more than he has been.
In the last three games, Ward has four, eight, and 16 touches, respectively. Where he has exploded is the passing game, including a 59-yard chunk play last week. Ward is fourth on the team in receptions but is second in receiving yards. He is still first in rushing yards as well.
Ward touching the ball more means more points and more explosive plays in this offense. He is essential to the team scoring. Hopefully the Eagles use their best weapon this week.
Key Players for Syracuse
Kyle McCord – QB
Kyle McCord has been very hot and cold this year. A true gunslinger, McCord is near the top of college football in passing yards and interceptions with 2,761 yards passing and 12 interceptions. McCord is capable of leading this offense to victory. However, as seen in the Pitt game, he is also fully capable of leading this offense, and the team, to ruin.
In essence, McCord has been good more often than bad this season. Against a weaker secondary, there should be plenty of chances for McCord to sling it and push the ball downfield. If he is on, Syracuse will score plenty. If he is not, McCord likely throws a touchdown or two to the Eagles secondary.
LeQuint Allen – Running Back
BC has been gashed by running backs lately with Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten and Louisville’s Isaac Brown having huge games. This week they get another stud running back in LeQuint Allen, who has been on a tear on the ground and through the air this season.
The big Orange running back has 602 yards rushing and 311 receiving yards, amassing 10 total touchdowns this season. The undersized back is elusive and explosive. He will provide a challenge for the Eagles linebackers in this game and should see plenty of touches early and often.
How Boston College Wins This Football Game
Boston College needs to slow down McCord and the Syracuse air attack if they want to win this game. The offense has to keep up as well, but BC does not have the playmakers to keep up with Syracuse at full strength. If they can manage to play good defense, score enough against a subpar Syracuse defense, and force turnovers from McCord, BC can pull this game off. The spread feels aggressive though and this has the hallmarks of a home upset unless BC can turn this ship back around.
Spencer Buckley
Hi Everyone! I'm happy you read this far to see my bio. I am a full time football and baseball enthusiast who would have "100% made the show if I didn't get injured...". Also do some Lawyer stuff in my free time.