3 Keys to a win vs. Cal
Game day.
It feels like forever since the Stanford loss and BC has a chance to right the ship at home on Saturday afternoon.
Here’s what I believe are three keys to a win and getting to 2-2 before heading out to Pitt next weekend:
Next man up
This team is awfully banged up right now. Not only is Jaedn Skeete probably out for this one, but several others could be missing as well on both sides of the ball.
Now, one on hand that’s obviously not ideal – especially coming off a week off – but on the other hand, it’s going to give more guys an opportunity to play some impactful snaps for the Eagles on Saturday. Offensively, I’d expect Mike Crounse, Ryan Mickow, VJ Wilkins, Dawson Pough and Nedrick Boldin Jr. to get some extra looks if Jude Bowry and/or Dwayne Allick aren’t available.
Both Pough and Boldin Jr. were great in camp and could finally get a chance to really shine with the absence of Skeete. I’d also assume Lewis Bond gets a ton of targets too.
Run the ball
We keep talking about how non-existent the running game has been so far. This would be a perfect day to crush clock and establish it. Whether it’s Turbo, Jordan McDonald, Alex Broome, Bo MacCormack (who I think we’ll start to see more of) or Mekhi Dodd, theres plenty of bodies in that room that can contribute. They all just need the opportunity to do so.
I also think the best way to protect a possibly banged up O-line is to let them get upfield with the run blocking. Cal isn’t great and hasn’t really been tested by their opponents yet this year and also just gave up 34 points to SD State last weekend in a blowout loss.
If the running game can’t get going today, I’m not sure it ever will.
Special teams
Punting has been a major issue basically all year. If this game turns into a field position battle, don’t be surprised if Andy Quinn finally gets some shots at punting instead of Sam Stone, who has struggled.
Luca Lombardo has been excellent so far and that needs to continue. Kickoff coverage was much better against Stanford and that also needs to continue. I’m still waiting for the KOR game and the punt return game to show us something, maybe we finally get a few nice run backs from guys like MacCormack and others during this one.
Prediction
BC 24, Cal 21 – Eagles win it on a late field goal. It’s not pretty at times, but the big crowd for parent’s weekend goes home happy and for at least a week all is well in Eagle land.
