UConn vs. Boston College 2025 Preview: Key Matchups and Predictions

STORRS, Ct. — The 4-2 UConn Huskies head on the road to Alumni Stadium to face Boston College in their second of three ACC clashes in 2025. After a bowl win a season ago, the Huskies entered the season with massive expectations, though they nearly fell through after they blew a two-score fourth quarter lead to Syracuse and then lost to Delaware in its first FBS season. But the Huskies have responded with three straight victories, and come off of the bye week looking to make a statement.

Boston College certainly isn’t the formidable opponent they once were. Their lone 66-10 beating over Fordham remains their only win, as the Eagles come off of a humiliating 31-point loss at home to Clemson, one of college football’s biggest disappointments. Can the 1-5 Eagles get back on track?

The game projects to be a strong one, with BC entering as the betting favorite while most accounts favor the Huskies by win percentage. But will UConn come up with its first road ACC since 2012, or will they still continue the search for that tremendous P4 victory? 

UConn Huskies vs. Boston College Eagles: Matchup History 

The Huskies have crossed paths with the Eagles quite a few times before. But things haven’t gone well. In seventeen all-time matchups with Boston College, the UConn Huskies are just 1-13-2. The New England “rivalry” dates back to 1908, where the programs faced off eight times in a twenty year time frame. Seven of those matchups came in Storrs, though the Eagles took each matchup.

UConn’s lone win came in their bowl-qualifying 2022 campaign in their first season under head coach Jim Mora. UConn beat the Eagles at home 13-3 behind three defensive interceptions. Shockingly, this is actually UConn’s most recent win against a power-conference opponent excluding their bowl win over North Carolina last December, when the Tar Heels were in the middle of switching regimes. 

Their most recent affair with BC came the season afterwards, where the Huskies fell 21-14 at Alumni Stadium. Now, the Huskies return to Chestnut Hill hoping to assert their dominance.

UConn vs. Boston College 2025 Game Preview

Key Players for Boston College

BC is currently in the midst of a slump. They’re 0-5 in ACC play, and have scored just 17 points combined in their last two games. But they still enter as favorites simply because of their power conference status and individual prowess. Last time around in 2023, the Eagles came up with a massive victory behind over 240 rushing yards while controlling over 40 minutes of clock in a 60 minute football game. 

They should again lean on the shoulders of its rushing attack, now led by sophomore “Turbo” Richard. Richard certainly lives up to the nickname he was given during youth football, because he has the breakaway speed and agility to run by any college defender. On 82 carries, Richard has run for 406 yards and five touchdowns, which included 15 carries for 171 yards and two touchdowns against Cal. 

I also think defensive back Omar Thorton will need to have a strong day for this BC defense. While KP Price is likely to take on the assignment of Skyler Bell, UConn’s prolific top wide receiver, the Huskies offense reached new highs against Florida International in a 51-10 win a few weeks back when quarterback Joe Fagnano spread the football around. Against FIU, five Huskies went for 49+ yards, which included strong games from Bell, Raymello Murphy, John Neider and Chris Parker.

Thornton—who is second to Price for the team lead in tackles and is the only Eagle defender with at least one sack, one interception and one forced fumble—will be responsible for keeping them in check, which should alleviate concerns defensively. 

Key Players for UConn

While the Eagles aren’t living up to expectations, UConn needs to start to prove its legitimacy against ACC competition, particularly after blowing a 27-20 loss to Syracuse in Week 2. This is an opportunity for UConn to assert itself as an up and coming football program. They’ll need running back Cam Edwards to continue a strong season. Edwards has had a career year in his senior season, as he’s tenth in the country with 637 rushing yards on a 6.3 YPC average. He’s also reached the end zone seven times, and his presence has been invaluable with fellow running back Mel Brown still on the sideline with a broken collarbone. 

“I love Mel, unfortunately that happened to him,” Edwards shared after a 31-25 win over Ball State. “I just have the mentality of it’s next guy up, gotta continue working.”

Against Boston College in 2023, Edwards was the Huskies leading runner with 89 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and added two catches for 35 yards. But the Huskies came up short and scored just 14 points. They’ll need him to anchor the rushing attack in this matchup.

And UConn also hopes that Byrun Parham can get back into the swing of things. As a transfer addition from Washington, Parham has been unbelievable with the Huskies, as one of the country’s leaders in sacks and tackles. But after compiling five sacks in his first three games, he’s been limited to just a bag and a half in his past three games. That is still a productive total, and he’s applied pressure on the quarterback, but I expect even a bigger day this afternoon. 

How UConn Wins

Even with Boston College’s issues well document, a win for UConn would be significant for a program that is fighting for an invitation to a major football conference. The easiest way the Huskies come away victorious is by leaning on its ground game more so than ever before. Edwards is a monster, a runner who relishes contact and can blow past defenders downhill. But the Huskies have even more in that running back room.

Victor Rosa adds an element as a pass catcher, recording over 70 yards through the air against FIU. The Huskies have only scratched the surface on what MJ Flowers, a transfer from FCS’ Eastern Illinois, can provide when given the opportunity. Mora also hasn’t been afraid to sprinkle in carries for Oliver Lundberg-Coleman, who has run well, too. So even with Brown still injured, the Huskies can more than flourish on the ground.

Plus, BC has struggled to stop the run. They gave up 226 rushing yards in their loss to Clemson and 172 rushing yards in their loss at Pitt. Both of those teams dominated by using a variety of runners; Clemson’s rushing leader had just 49 yards and they ran for over 220. The Huskies can follow that same blueprint.

When these teams played just about two years ago, Boston College won by running for 246 yards and controlling over 40 minutes of clock. If UConn flips that script and they are instead the ones to control the football game and set the tempo, they’ll find a lot more success.