Louisville vs Boston College Preview & Gambling Picks
After a tough loss, BC faces what feels like a must-win game against a fellow ACC Atlantic opponent. Let's get to it.
Who: The Louisville Cardinals. Under new coach Scott Satterfield, the Cards are 2-2. They’ve looked much more competitive than last year under deadbeat Bobby Petrino - that’s not saying much though. They’re clearly in rebuilding mode but won’t be a pushover.
Where: Cardinal – NOT PAPA JOHN’S – Stadium in Louisville, KY.
Weather: 70s and sunny.
When: 12:30PM Eastern, 10:30 AM Mountain
What Channel: All sorts of ACC affiliates. It’s YES Network in the NYC area.
Where I'll Be Watching: The Long Island Game Watch.
What's the Spread: Currently, Boston College are 5-point underdogs.
What else: I’m really bad about giving game recaps after losses in case you haven’t noticed. So here’s the Cliff Notes version: We played well enough to win - probably should have – and we didn’t because of one fatal flaw that has been consistent throughout the Addazio era: the kicking game. After Nate Freese, it’s been an utter s&%tshow and has cost us numerous games and the inability to fix it is 100% on Daz.
It also has led to some of Daz’s worst in-game moments, two of which were on full display during Saturday’s loss. We’ll start with the more obvious one – the delay of game which led to the botched snap. Daz wasn’t sure if he should attempt a game-tying 43-yarder or go for it during the 4 quarter – because he lacks confidence in the crappy kicking game he has overseen. That indecisiveness led to a late call to kick the FG and the delay of game. Just an utter clown shoes moment by him – including not calling a timeout when it became clear they weren’t going to get the kickoff.
But the second one to me is maybe more egregious: going for it earlier in the 2 half when we faced a 4 and 4 instead of kicking a 37-yard FG. He did something similar in the Kansas game. Why aren’t we attempting makeable field goals and instead trying to convert challenging fourth downs? And why is our go-to 4 down play a five-yard out when we have a QB who has trouble with accuracy?
I digress.
Most Important Dude(s)
Running Backs AJ Dillon and David Bailey
I think the Eagles are going to pound the rock a lot against the Cardinals. It’s what has worked in the past against Louisville and it’s what Addazio trusts and knows. That means these two need to run hard, have good vision, and capitalize on their opportunities. What’s reassuring is these two played great against Wake and trust that they’ll be up to the task to carry us against Louisville.
3 Keys to #SOAR'N
1) Bring The Heat – Wake converted tons of third downs against BC. I think I saw it was 17 of 24. It honestly was the difference in the game. What drove BC fans crazy was that for some reason we kept dropping back in zone coverage on third down when applying pressure was working on the early downs. We’re not going to be a successful D dropping back in coverage. Blitz early and often.
2) Cut The Pre-Snap Crap – Seriously, what is with the false starts? It’s killing us. We have to be more disciplined.
3) Hit Shot Plays – I think the run game is going to be a focal point for our offense but we’ll have some gadget plays and play-action opportunities. Need to capitalize on those moments.
Final Prediction
Boston College 28
Louisville 21
If BC wants to make a bowl, this game is pretty much a must-have. Addazio knows this and think will have the boys ready to win a tough game on the road.
Giblin's Gambles
This Will Be Where I Make A Few CFB Picks Each Week - Use At Your Own Risk My Season Goal: Over 57%
2019 Record: 22-21-1, 51.2%
Okay week. Not hitting the Penn State-Maryland 59.5 OVER because Maryland couldn’t score a single point hurt. Not gonna lie.
1) Friday Night Special - San Jose State -6.5 vs New Mexico – Haven’t been impressed by the Lobos this year, especially defensively. Think a decent San Jose State team wins by double digits.
2) Florida +3 vs Auburn – The Tigers are 5-0 ATS this year. Don’t care. Gimme the home dog in what should be an awesome game.
3) Air Force -3.5 at Navy – Gimme the Falcons who have looked good in recent weeks against a rebuilding Navy team.
4) Miami -14 vs Virginia Tech – That Hokie team looks like it quit. Canes roll.
5) Troy +24.5 at Mizzou – Troy can score some points and this is a lot of points to give up for a mediocre Mizzou team. Take Troy.
6) Nebraska -7.5 vs Northwestern – Scott Frost’s teams take out all the frustrations of getting worked by Ohio State out on a Northwestern team I’m not fooled by.
7) Washington -16.5 at Stanford – Nothing makes me think the Huskies won’t win comfortably against a bad Stanford team.
8) Arizona at Colorado OVER 62.5 – These two teams put up points in bunches. Think it’s a game in the 30s.
9) Texas -10.5 at West Virginia – Herman’s boys take care of business even as double digit favorites.