Top Five Ways Boston College Could Win More Than Seven Games In 2019

Can they do it? We explain why

In his time at Boston College, head coach Steve Addazio has become an anchor of consistency, which could be seen as a good thing or a bad thing. Minus 2015, Boston College has been able to get seven wins five of the six years he has been head coach, getting BC to bowls a goal he himself has set out for. This year, Las Vegas has begun to release their odds for win totals, and wouldn't you know it, BC is at 6.5. Even the bookies think Addazio will continue to hit his mean. But can he do even better. Today I put on my maroon and gold shade sunglasses and give you my Top Five Reasons I believe they can hit more than seven wins. 

1. A Healthy A.J. Dillon: Last year Boston College's offense was a totally different monster when AJ Dillon was healthy versus when he wasn't. When defenses could hit Dillon and knock him down with one hit he wasn't nearly as effective, even though he still was an good runner. For 2019 the key for Dillon will be management, while it would be fun to watch The Sauce run all over Rutgers, Kansas and Richmond, Addazio needs to make sure he is healthy for Notre Dame, Florida State, Syracuse and Clemson. If BC wants to win these games, a healthy AJ Dillon would make a world of difference, as he would help open up the offense, and keep the BC defense off the field. Use Travis Levy, David Bailey, Ben Glines and Patrick Garwo so that Dillon (who would run the ball 70 times a game if you let him) can stay fresh when BC needs them the most. 

2. Anthony Brown Continues To Improve: The sophomore quarterback last season was an enigma, looking like a Heisman Candidate at times (see Wake Forest), and looking completely lost at other times (First half against FSU/Purdue). Brown has all the tools to be a devastating ACC QB if he can be consistent. I am really excited to see what Mike Bajakian can do with Brown. Will the new OC drastically change the offense? Steve Addazio has already said he wouldn't, but Bajakian could be a whole new set of eyes that helps Brown be more consistent with his passes, and that could make BC's offense even more potent. 

3. A Player Or Two Steps Up On Defense: Every year it seems that there is a new star on defense for the Boston College Eagles. From Lukas Denis to Harold Landry to Isaac Yiadom to Isaiah McDuffie, a new player steps every year and becomes the "playmaker" Now this could be Tanner Karafa in 2019, but I think the big player will need to come from the edge, and there will need to be a new name to pop in the secondary. Marcus Valdez, Brandon Barlow, Joey Lucetti, Richard Yeargin, someone in this group will need to be the pass rushing playmaker like Zach Allen and Wyatt Ray were last year. In the secondary there are a bevy of new players who could step up, Tate Haynes and Mike Palmer are two names to watch for, and of course Brandon Sebastian could take a big step at corner. If BC can find consistent playmakers on both of these levels, and that is a big if, they could win some tougher games. 

4. They Step On Their Opponents Throats: Steve Addazio is what he is at this point, but at times he has shown that he is willing to take a risk and play aggressive. Again this has been inconsistent as we saw against Florida State he can turtle and go back to his "safer" style of coaching when games get tough. Don't punt on your opponent side of the field, go for it on 4th and short etc. BC needs to be aggressive, don't rely on defense to win games, let the 240 pound bowling ball at running back do it for them. 

5. BC Mixes It Up: BC is always going to be a run first offense, Steve Addazio has made that abundantly clear year after year. However, he can not afford to line up AJ Dillon on every first down and run him for three yards. BC has a beautiful play action that works effectively when used. If defenses are cheating in on Dillon, let the pass fly, use Kobay White and CJ Lewis for some of the longer stuff, and hopefully Jake Burt and Hunter Long will be effective like Sweeney was this year. On the defensive side I am excited to see what wrinkle Bill Sheridan brings to the defense. One of the hallmark struggles for a Steve Addazio has been third down defense, could Sheridan help with that?