Emerald Bowl: BC vs USC
December 24th, 2009 by Jeremy Shory
USC Quarterback Matt Barkley (thanks Icon SMI)
If you would have said at the beginning of the season that a Boston College team that lost their starting QB to the NFL, the second string QB to transfer, and their heart and soul on defense to cancer, was going to not only be in contention for an ACC title for most of the season and make a solid bowl game, most people would have said you were crazy. Now if you were to also say that a USC team that seemed to have restocked on talent would have lost 4 games and struggled tremendously on defense and fall out of the BCS standing for the first time in 11 years, everyone would have known you were crazy.
Believe it or not folks, that is who we have matched up against each other in this year’s Emerald Bowl on Saturday. We have an overachieving team in Boston College and an underachieving team in USC.
Granted USC has a true freshman at quarterback in Matt Barkley, due to the departure of last year’s QB, Mark Sanchez. But the strength of USC for the last couple of years, the defense, forgot to show up some weeks. For the first time in four years, the USC defense allowed more then 30 points in three games this season. Mix in a little controversy with RB Joe McKnight and the accident with Stefon Johnson which ended his season, the offense may struggle again in one more game.
Boston College was carried this season by their defense. I am looking to them to again carry them in this game as 27 year old freshman QB, Dave Shinskie has been hot and cold all season, which is not going get it done in a game like this. I expect Coach Spaziani to look to hand off at least 40 times in this game and allow his playmaking RB, Montell Harris, and stud WR Rich Gunnell carry the offense.
I am expecting a decent game here and for Boston College to fare better then most people think. Don’t get me wrong, with the game being in San Francisco, this is practically a home game for USC which will most certainly play a factor. But I do think that the Eagles will be able to rely on a solid running game and a good defense to keep them in this game.
Prediction: BC 17 – USC 24.
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