Each Tuesday over the summer, we’ve done a week-by-week preview of the 2013 season. We finish the preview series with Boston College, who SU will play on Nov. 30.
NEW COACH: First year coach Steve Addazio has plenty of work to do with Boston College. The team finished a dismal 2-10 last year, and went 1-7 in the ACC. In nearly every measurable standard, the Eagles were subpar, leading to the dismissal of coach Frank Spaziani. The offense averaged just 19.8 points and 90.5 rushing yards because of a porous offensive line that gave up 36 sacks last season. But Addazio has already started to change the culture at BC, starting with offensive tackle Matt Patchan, who transferred from Florida. It is the first step in remaking the team from a passing offense into more of a ball-control team.
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WHO TO WATCH FOR: One of the few bright spots on the 2012 team was quarterback Chase Rettig and receiver Alex Amidon. The two combined to be one of the most prolific tandems in BC history. Rettig who finished with 3,065 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Amidon set single season school records for receptions (78) and yards (1,210). But without a balance in the run game, Boston College will struggle, especially after running back Rolandan “Deuce” Finch left the team in spring. On defense, the Eagles return a pair of experienced linebackers in Steele Divitto and Kevin Pierre-Louis.
PREDICTION: Addazio isn’t working with high expectations in his first year. BC could conceivably match their win total from last year in the first two games against FBS Villanova and then home against Wake Forest, who finished 5-7 last year. SYRACUSE 28, BOSTON COLLEGE 10.
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