Written by Darrell Wilkinson
The Miami Hurricanes are going to need to get it together and fast as they prepare for a very physical, tough Boston College (5-2, 2-1 ACC) team Friday night under the lights. The conditions won’t make it any easier for the South Florida based team with the temperatures expected to be around 40-45 degrees for kickoff.
Miami (5-2, 2-1 ACC) disappointed their last time out losing a gritty 16-13 game against Virginia and even with an extra week of preparation, due to a bye, it’s hard to say how this game will turn out because it’s never easy going into Boston College on a cold night and coming out with a victory.
Boston College, led by head coach Steve Addazio play physical football first and foremost, highlighted by a stout defense that likes to stop the run and an offense that wants to pound the ball inside. BC’s exceptional running back A.J. Dillon returns from an ankle injury after missing two games which is a huge boost as the sophomore was averaging 130.4 yards per game before his injury. It’ll be interesting to see how Miami’s run defense responds against someone as explosive as Dillon.
Another issue that could give Miami problems comes from their quarterback position. ‘Canes head coach Mark Richt decided to return to senior Malik Rosier after N’Kosi Perry struggled in his first few drives against Virginia, much to the angst of Hurricanes fans everywhere. Rosier didn’t fare much better than Perry and it left me scratching my head wondering why Perry was good enough to leave in down 20 against Florida State in the third quarter but not good enough to continue on down seven in the second against Virginia. Granted the seven they were down by could be credited to the interception Perry threw to set Virginia up with that score. Richt hasn’t ruled out both quarterbacks participating in this game but Malik Rosier is the definite starter according to Richt.
“As far as if I was going to put N’Kosi [Perry] in or not, that part of it – I think N’Kosi has come far enough to play in a game when it counts the most.” Said Coach Richt “Right now, I think Malik [Rosier] gives us a better opportunity to win as the starter. Am I saying [with] 100-percent [certainty] that he’s going to get in the game? No. But the plan would be for our second-team quarterback to get in the game.”
Prediction: BC 24 – Miami 20
I can see this going either way but the inconsistency from Miami’s offense leaves little to rely on as far as knowing what we’re going to get on any given Saturday(or Friday in this case). We do know what this defense can do, they’re among the most elite units in college football but they can’t carry a team. Add that to the weather, Boston College’s style of play and it being Red Bandana night it all sets up against the ‘Canes. Still, one play where the turnover chain shines can make all the difference in a game that I think will be close.
Be sure to watch LIVE as Miami visits Boston College in a Friday night game at 7:00PM/EST and can be seen LIVE on ESPN.
- Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com
- Twitter: @TheSkyBoat
- @DarrellW_Sports
- @CanesFB_SkyBoat
