Boston College hopes to get season off to fast start against Northern Illinois

Updated Aug. 31, 2023 4:08 p.m. ET

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Northern Illinois (3-9 in 2022) at Boston College (3-9), noon ET (ACC Network)

Line: Boston College by 9½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Boston College leads 3-0

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Boston College would like to celebrate a return to bowl eligibility in its 125th season of football. But after a 3-9 record last year, the Eagles need to collect early wins before heading into the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule if they are going to make it. Northern Illinois would like a do-over for its last matchup with BC, in 2017, when the potential game-tying 39-yard field goal hit the crossbar in the final seconds, leaving the Eagles with a 23-20 victory.

KEY MATCHUP

Boston College must establish its running game after perhaps the worst rushing season in program history. Pat Garwo returns in the backfield, and he’s hoping to take advantage of an offensive line that is returning from an injury-depleted 2022 in which Eagles ran for their fewest yards since at least 1955. Northern Illinois’ defensive line is led by experienced tackles James Ester and Devonte O’Malley and end Ray Thomas, who combined for 22 tackles for loss last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Northern Illinois: QB Rocky Lombardi led the Huskies to the Mid-American Conference championship two years ago but played only four games last season because of a knee injury. If he can return to his 2021 form, Northern Illinois could be back in contention for the league title.

Boston College: G Christian Mahogany is the anchor of an offensive line that much depends on. He started 22 games in 2020-21 but missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Eagles are counting on him to shore up the run and pass blocking.

FACTS & FIGURES

The BC offensive line missed a combined 33 games in 2022, with nine different players getting a start. … QB Emmett Morehead started the last four games, with the lone win coming against No. 16 North Carolina State, snapping a 25-game losing streak against ranked opponents. … With the departure of WR Zay Flowers, who set BC receiving records before becoming first-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens, Central Florida transfer Ryan O’Keefe could be Morehead’s top target. He had 157 catches over the past two years and also returned kicks for the Golden Knights. … Northern Illinois brings back six starters from an OL that allowed just 12 sacks last season, 10th in the country. … The Huskies are 3-8 versus ACC opponents, beating Georgia Tech 22-21 in the 2021 opener.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

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