Boston College out to avoid dubious spot in program and recent history
Syracuse is all that stands between Boston College and a dubious spot in a generation of college football.
The Eagles have the nation's top-ranked defense, giving up just 255.6 yards per game, but unless they can beat the Orange on Saturday at the Carrier Dome, they'll go 0-8 in ACC play.
"So what we're doing right now navigating through uncharted waters is doing the best we have with what we have," said Boston College coach Steve Addazio.
Going back to 1988, no team has led FBS/Division I-A total defense and not won a league game. In fact, the only other teams to have a losing record in the last 27 years to be No. 1 in D and have a losing record were Mississippi State in 1993 and NC State in 2004 and both of them were 5-6 overall.
That Bulldogs team went 2-5-1 in SEC play, while the Wolfpack won three of eight ACC games. So from that end, even if Boston College top Syracuse it will already have the fewest league wins in nearly 30 years for a team possessing a top defense, and weeks ago assured it would be the first to not qualify for a bowl game.
The possibility of an 0-for conference schedule is a position that Boston College has never been in before. Though to be fair, it was an independent from 1901-1991 until joining the Big East.
But Syracuse may be exactly what the Eagles need to get their breakthrough.
Losers of eight straight after an 0-3 start, the Orange are 1-6 in the ACC, with that lone win coming against Wake Forest in Week 2. A 42-29 loss to NC State this past Saturday marked the sixth time in the last seven games that they've given 37 or more points and opponents have gone for more than 40 five times in that stretch.
Although with Boston College, you have to wonder whether it can take advantage?
Only UCF, which is fighting its own winless demons at 0-11, has a worse offense than the Eagles', which is averaging just 278.9 yards and their 17.2 points per is 118th out of 127 FBS teams.
Syracuse may the elixir, giving up over 456 yards per (110th), but it may be best suited to stop the lone aspect of Boston College's offense that has been more reliable.
It's delivering 158.7 per on the ground (84th) -- offsetting that 124th-rated passing game -- and in Week 12's 19-16 loss to No. 4 Notre Dame, the Eagles ran for 214 yards, led by 100 and a TD on five carries from quarterback Jeff Smith.
There's depth to that ground game too, as five player have at least 198 yards on the season, with Tyler Rouse's 307 yards and five scores the team high.
That dominating defense has certainly put the Eagles in position to win, with three of their ACC games decided by three points or less -- including losses of 9-7 to Duke and 3-0 against Wake Forest. Will that offense finally come through or will it provide yet another letdown?
"When you watch the tape and [look at plays], guys know. Our team knows where we are offensively with the youth," Addazio said. "I think the defense sees that fact that sometimes with young corners who are all of a sudden in the game. They all know. These are all smart guys. They get it. They believe in our plan."
History of this kind is unwelcome, and a place no Boston College team and -- for at least the last 27 years -- no one boasting the country's best defense, could become this team's reality.
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney
