Thursday November 15, 2007

BC, Injuries, Bowls, Pressure and Focus

BC Offense
The opponent is also very important this week but we may have not played enough attention to Boston College. So let’s take a look at the Eagles.

Boston College is known for its offensive line and this is a good offensive line. Gosder Cherilius is the best of the bunch at left tackle. He is also the most experienced. Ty Hall is the right guard and he is anther highly recruited player. The right side of the offensive line is not as talented or experienced. In fact, freshman right tackle, Anhtony Castonzo, has been beaten badly at times.

The running game has not been a big factor for the Eagles mainly because they do not run the ball often. They have two good backs in seniors L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender but BC is ninth in the league in rushing offense. However BC is 11th in the league with 308 rushing attempts.

The receiving corps is solid with Brandon Robinson leading the way with 48 receptions for 700 yards and five touchdowns. Kevin Challenger is a very experienced senior. The passing game is helped by Matt Ryan spreading the ball out to his tight ends and running backs as well. Tight end Ryan Purvis has 44 catches for 432 yards and four touchdowns and running back Andre Callender also has 44 catches for 470 yards and four scores.

BC will throw the ball often Saturday and they will spread it around to a bunch of receivers, backs and tight ends.

But the key for this offense is Matt Ryan. I cannot see a scenario where BC beats Clemson Saturday night unless Ryan has a Heisman-like effort. He has thrown the ball 465 times this season and will need to have a huge game this weekend to cap off a terrific season. Ryan has all of the tools you could look for in a pocket passer. The 6-5, 225-pounder has a fantastic arm and is one of the toughest competitors in college football. Ryan will need to have perhaps his best game of the season if the Eagles are to come into this kind of environment and win.

BC Defense
The Eagles sell out to shut down the run. The good news is they lead the conference in rushing defense by giving up only 65 yards per game. The bad news is this comes at the expense of the passing defense which is last in the ACC allowing 279 yards per contest.

The front seven is good but would be better if Jolon Dunbar was healthy. The linebacker is the emotional leader of the defense but he has missed the last two games with a bad ankle. As of Thursday morning Dunbar is listed as probable.

The secondary has struggled and the Eagles received more bad news when All-ACC candidate DeJuan Tribble injured his knee. He is listed as questionable for Saturday.

The Eagles have not been very good in special teams this season. They are ninth in the league in kickoff returns but it was Jeff Smith that hurt the Tigers last season with his huge returns. BC is last in the league in punt returns, second in punting and net punting, and 11th in kickoff coverage.

Injuries
One of the big factors each November is injuries and this year is no different. Clemson’s offensive guard Chris McDuffie is questionable and his backup Bobby Hutchinson is also ailing with a bad ankle. Ricky Sapp has a hamstring issue but he has progressed this week.

BC has two linebackers that are probable but a starting corner and long snapper are out. Remember last year’s starters, Brian Toal and B.J. Raji, who are also out for the season.

I think we have to all understand that injuries are a big factor in this game but I am not sure either team has an advantage with the current situations.

Bowls
To the best of my knowledge here is the bowl scenario for the Tigers:
If Clemson wins this week but loses the ACC title game the Tigers will head to the Peach Bowl.

If Clemson wins this week and wins the ACC title game the will play in the Orange Bowl.

If the Tigers lose this weekend they will play in the Gator Bowl.

Focus and Pressure
I think two intangibles this weekend are focus and pressure. Clemson has had to hear about how well they played last week, the USC game next week and the ACC Championship game. Boston College has had to answer question about their back-to-back losses and Ryan has had to answer some of the Heisman questions. I think the team that can maintain focus throughout the week of practice has a huge advantage. You have to focus on the process and the task and separate yourself from the outcome.

The other advantage will go to the team that embraces the opportunity and views it as an opportunity and does not feel pressure. Teams that get tight don’t play well. Teams that embrace the game as an opportunity play well.

Personally I feel pressure is not a football game. Pressure is facing an oncologist telling you what his strategy is for your cancer. Pressure is not a sporting event. It is not pressure on coaches, players or fans. I don’t buy any of that. I know the coaches make a living at this sport and they have families to feed but still this is not pressure. Some will argue the different degrees of pressure and I can understand that argument but still pressure cannot be found in a sporting event.

Earlier this week Bowden got criticized by some when he said this is a big game for players and fans but God will take of him. His faith is as strong as anyone I have ever met and he truly believes that. I believe it too. Pressure would be not knowing if salvation awaits you.

This is a huge football game and no one should mistake that. But it should be viewed as fun and an opportunity and not pressure. I am geeked up and as excited about this game as any I can remember and winning a game like this would be great for either school but you can’t go into it scared. There is no pressure on any player, coach or fan. Save the pressure talk for the oncologist.

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