Can BC keep it close with Louisville this weekend?
Technically, BC has a chance against Louisville on Saturday night.
The Eagles (1-6) are 25.5-point underdogs against a 5-1 Cardinals team coming off an upset of No. 2 Miami on the road. Not to mention, all eyes of the ACC world have no choice but to be on Louisville this weekend with ACC Huddle basing their shows from the campus. It’s a perfect storm for a blowout.
Well, with Grayson James now starting, the Eagles do have the benefit of little film on James with this particular roster. The running game also got going last weekend, if that continues, BC can control the clock (in theory) and keep the Louisville offense off the field.
Unfortunately, that’s just probably not going to be the case. Here are three things that will probably go a long way in determining the outcome of this one:
Even if offense scores, too many injuries on defense
Even if the BC offense scores, it’s going to be tough to keep up with the Louisville offense. BC’s defense is dead last in the ACC in scoring defense, giving up 33.9 points per game. Louisville quarterback Miller Moss has 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns on the year. Chris Bell is by far the Cardinals’ biggest threat 638 yards and six touchdowns with 44 catches. With the Eagles’ secondary missing Syair Torrence for the year, Amari Jackson and Ashton Cunningham missing this one, it could be a long day for the young guys still getting their feet under them at this level.
Running game on both sides will tell the story
Louisville as a team only has 694 yards rushing on the year with 12 touchdowns, good for 11th in the ACC. Unfortunately, linebacker Bam Crouch is out again, with Jason Hewlett Jr. and safety Cam Martinez also out, two of the Eagles’ better run defenders. BC’s running game has been nonexistent until last week. The Eagles are 15th in the ACC. The Cardinals’ run defense is fourth in the ACC, giving up just 106.3 YPG and five touchdowns. The running game and running defense on both sides will go a long way in determining how this goes.
At least there’s Luca?
The best thing BC has going for them is Luca Lombardo, who is still perfect on the season on both field goals (10-10) and 22-22 on extra points. As we continue to say, if this one is somehow close and field goals determine things, for the first time in a long time, BC fans can feel good about the kicking situation at the very least.
Prediction
Louisville 42, BC 17
It’s just one of those years at this point. We’re on to Notre Dame.
