Trying to predict how the rest of 2025 goes after the bye week

It’ll be nice to sit back and watch the rest of the country this week without having to worry about how things go with the team over in Chestnut Hill.

Hopefully, the Eagles have locked in and refocused ahead of parents’ weekend next Saturday and a now very big game against Cal.

vs. Cal (W)

I genuinely think the bye week helps. I don’t have any intel on injuries, but let’s say even if it’s just Jackson and Allick back (I think Torrence is longer term and hearing varying things on Bowry), this team does play well at home and that West coast to East coast thing is real. The 3:30 time helps the Bears a bit, but coming off a week with no game BC should have plenty of juice. I’m still a big believer in the offensive output this team can have on a week-to-week basis too and believe the juice on parents weekend is enough to get them bye.

Score: 27-20.

@ Pitt (L)

Hard to trust this team on the road right now. Pitt isn’t a world beater by any means, but I just have a bad feeling about that game. The Panthers will be coming off a home game against Louisville, so if they lose that game they’ll be even hungrier to take care of the Eagles. If they beat the Cardinals they’ll be riding high. Pitt probably should have beaten West Virginia last week too. I’m chalking this one up as an L on a late field goal.

Score: 31-28

vs. Clemson (W)

Yes, seriously. If BC is going to have one big, special moment this season, it’s here. Obviously, we don’t know what time this game is at yet, but if it’s a 3:30 or prime time start I think we get a fantastic show both on the field and off it. No one’s been more critical than me when it comes to the gameday atmosphere around Chestnut Hill, but the juice will be there for this one. I also think even if the Eagles are struggling, this is the kind of game – again, especially at home – that the guys come out flying for. These aren’t the same Tigers. BC wins in a tight one on a walk off Luca Lombardo 45-yard FG and Dabo is officially on the hot seat.

Score: 24-17

vs. UConn (W)

Earlier in the year I genuinely thought UConn would make this a game this season, regardless of how good or bad BC was. It has noon kickoff written all over it, so both teams probably sleepwalk a bit. But, this BC offense can run circles around the Huskies, ESPECIALLY after they just gave up an absurd 44 points to friggin Delaware last Saturday in an overtime loss. Now, the Eagles will have to find a way to contain one of the more underrated receivers in the country in Skyler Bell and former Maine QB Joe Fagnano is pretty good, but BC won’t drop off that badly. This is not the team that lost out in Storrs a couple years ago with Jurkovec either.

Score: BC 30-17

@ Louisville (L)

The Cardinals will be coming off a game at Miami, which means they’ll probably be pissed after a loss. Louisville also has Virginia, Pitt and Bowling Green before this game, which is certainly not a murderers row of games by any means. Once again, I have concerns about road games for this version of the Eagles and I’m traumatized by the blowout on the road there two (three?) years ago under Hafley when I was in NJ for Jets-Patriots. I do think this is a back-and-forth game, but Louisville prevails by pulling away in the fourth quarter.

Score: 31-21

vs. Notre Dame (W)

Same thing as Clemson here for me. It’s not the same Notre Dame team and Alumni will be gassed up for this one for all the obvious reasons, regardless of how the team looks. I also think there’s something to be said for how down the Fighting Irish are this season. Like the Clemson game, if BC is going to ever take advantage and get a big rivalry win, it’s in this game. The only problem here is that ND will be coming off a bye after playing USC in their other big rivalry matchup. Depending on how that game goes, you may either get a hyper focused Fighting Irish squad or a not-so-much one looking ahead to a game against Navy in prime time. Taking the Eagles here in another walk-off field goal classic, possibly in a driving rain storm.

Score: 24-21

vs. SMU (L)

I think SMU is a playoff team again and BC may still be riding the high of the ND win the week before. The Mustangs probably got more of a fight from BC than they expected last season and won’t be underestimating Bill O’Brien’s squad this time. SMU has Louisville at home and then a road trip to Cal after BC, so this could be a look ahead spot for them as well. The Mustangs also host Miami the week before, so depending on what that game means and how it turns out, BC could be a stepping stone towards the ACC title game.

Score: 34-17

vs. Georgia Tech (L)

I just think this is one of those special runs/years for the Yellow Jackets. Not to mention, after seeing what Chiles did to the defense, I’m not sure they can contain Haynes King. We’re a long way off from this game obviously and who knows what both teams look like health wise, but if GT is in the running for an ACC title game berth coming into Chestnut Hill while BC is trying to either become bowl eligible or play spoiler, I think the Jackets get it done.

Score: 27-21

@ Syracuse (W)

Gotta have it. If this plays out how I have it (it almost certainly won’t and I’ll be mocked and ridiculed, that’s the fun part), BC will need this game to become bowl eligible again. Even after the hardo move of running sprints after the game, the Orange just aren’t that good in my opinion. You may be able to say the same about BC at this point in November, but I still think O’Brien has the coaching edge and won’t allow this team to not at least be bowl eligible, even if the season ends up being well below expectations. The Dome is always a tough place to play, but BC gets it done.

Score: 35-21

So, 6-6 it is. I hope I’m wrong because I really would rather not head to Fenway or Yankee Stadium again, but it’s better than not making a bowl at all, right? Right?