Boston College vs. Pittsburgh Football History & Excerpts
The matchup history is tight for these two teams. Pitt has a slight 18-15 advantage, with Pitt edging out a 23-14 victory last season.
Coach O’Brien of course is looking to win this game, but his eyes are set on the future also. When discussing the rest of season and possible bowl eligibility Coach O’Brien noted, “I’ve been fortunate in my career, I’ve been to some cool bowls. The Cotton Bowl. The Sugar Bowl. Gator Bowl. Just, for us in our first year, to be able to qualify for a bowl says a lot about the players and the coaching staff. Those guys did a great job. We got hired in February. We’re just very proud of the fact that we’re able to go to a bowl. Obviously, it’d be nice to finish on a winning note here in the regular season for the seniors on our team that are playing their last home game. But, to qualify for a bowl I think is a good accomplishment the first year.”
Winning this week will only help their odds of getting into a more prestigious bowl game.
Key Players for Boston College
Donovan Ezeiruaku – Defensive End
Donovan Ezeiruaku finally found his way back into the sack column with two last week, which has been the case in almost every single BC win. Eze continues to bring the pressure while forcing defenses to design their running plays around avoiding him. The impact he has is prime-Khalil Mack levels for this defense. The Eagles will need him to push Eli Holstein (if he can play) and company this week to prevent the Pitt offense from exploding.
Kye Robichaux – Running Back
Kye Robichaux has retaken the backfield after losing it early in the year. He fumbled last week which might cost him some touches, but the offense has been running through him. Robichaux has over 20 carries in three straight weeks. By and large, he has been more reliable than explosive with only one rush over fifteen yards in his last five games, but that is something that Coach O’Brien values highly.
Not to mention, Robichaux has managed to find pay dirt in all but three games this year. He has not gone without a touchdown in a game for over a month dating back to the Virginia Tech game. Robichaux is not flashy, nor is he a uniquely special player, but he is the heart and soul of the remodeled offense in the second half of the season.
Key Players for Pitt Panthers
Desmond Reid – RB
The diminutive Desmond Reid is also the heart and soul of this Pitt offense. Reid leads Pitt in rushing yards, receptions, touchdowns, and yards from scrimmage this season while also being second on the team in receiving yards and has the second longest play of the year. All in all, Reid is making things happen. His game is pure speed. If you let him find a crease or an opening in the middle of the defense Reid disappears. Look for Pitt to feed him early and often, both on the ground and through the air.
Eli Holstein – QB
Eli Holstein was injured last week on a hip drop tackle, but has yet to be ruled out of this contest. If he can’t perform, Nate Yarnell would take over in his place. But for now, we will discuss as if Holstein will suit up in this contest.
Holstein has emerged as one of the more talented quarterbacks in college football this year after transferring from Alabama. He slowed down considerably due to injury after a scorching hot start to the season, but has shown a dual threat ability that might catch people by surprise if they haven’t followed Pitt.
Where Holstein excels is spreading the ball out amongst a subpar receiving group and making the most of the weapons he has. The Eagles biggest weakness on defense is their secondary, in particular secondary depth, so a player who distributes well like Holstein could prove to be more problematic than other quarterbacks.
Kyle Louis – Linebacker
Kyle Louis is disrupting at each an every level of the game. The second year player leads the Panthers in sacks, tackles for loss, and interceptions while also holding second place in total tackles. Louis is arguably the most disruptive linebacker in all of college football this season. The Panthers need him to bring his heat seeking missile ways in this game to help stop the run game and force Grayson James to try and win the game with his arm. If that happens he can also disrupt in coverage. The true three down linebacker is rare, and even rarer is one playing great in each facet of the game like Louis is.
How Boston College wins this football game
Boston College needs to continue to make the quarterback uncomfortable and run with authority if they want to win this football game. The formula has led to explosive scoring in recent weeks while stifling opposing teams production. At home BC should win the game. If the secondary can stay in coverage long enough for pressure to disrupt Holstein, the defense should be just fine and the offense is consistently on schedule in a way that should allow them to beat a sliding Panthers unit.
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.