N&O Video from the BC game

As always, great stuff from the N&O's videographer team, this time courtesy of Rachael Long:

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51 attempts, 34 completions and 428 yards later...

...State's passing defense made Boston College's Chris Crane look more like Matt Ryan on his best days.

I think we all knew that losing Alan Michael Cash and Nate Irving on defense would impact the Pack's effectiveness on pass defense.

I had no idea it would be to this degree.

(Continues)

That Crane had 17 incompletions is probably the more incredible stat. I can't think offhand of any moment in the game where State's pass defense seriously contended a pass. The Pack's pass rush was ineffective all game long, regardless of whether the front four was aided by blitzing backers or not.

Credit should be given to Steve Logan for calling a good game plan, and to Crane for executing it. Also to the stellar play of the BC offensive line.

But without Cash occupying extra blockers in the middle, the ends were neutralized and unable to generate a decent pass rush, giving Crane all day to pick apart our zone defense. Zero pass rush makes any quarterback and offensive coordinator look like world beaters.

Too, not having Irving patrolling the middle of the field, where he's already had three interceptions against less-than-wary quarterbacks this season, gave Crane's crossing receivers enough space to make drive-extending catches on third downs (BC was 8-of-16 on 3rd down conversions).

I'm afraid that this pattern will remain until one of two things occur:
1. Cash and Irving return, and play back to their prior levels that had State's offense respectable, or;
2. Mike Archer finds a way to coach up the players we do have on the field to get the job done.

If neither occurs, we could see future opponents putting up similar, inflated passing numbers against the Pack.

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My Weekly Dose of Optimism: BC

Two words: Russell Wilson

Two more: Anthony Hill

The good news that came down the pipe last night about Wilson starting and Hill probable for tomorrow's game means our offensive chances look about 100% better than they did on Wednesday before the report.

With these two guys in action, I think the Pack has enough weapons to present at least some sort of a mild threat against BC's solid defense. The passing attack should be more effective, which in turn will benefit Andre Brown and Jamelle Eugene's ability to run the ball. Without Wilson and Hill, I would've expected things to go a bit like they did against USF. Which is to say, not good.

We shall see. I think the Pack defense will be tested quite a bit, but the Pack fans will be fired up to see Wilson back in the lineup and should be ready to make some noise in Carter-Finley. I think you'll see the ball bounce our way, with some drive-killing turnovers from BC that lead to just enough points for us to eek out the win.

Just pray it doesn't cost us any more healthy players.

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Wilson will start, Anthony Hill upgraded to probable

Injury report posted at PackPride.com

I don't want to jinx anything, so I'll just say it's a nice sign to see more guys coming OFF the injury report than heading onto it.

Quarterback Russell Wilson has been named the starter for the Boston College game, putting an end to the will-he-won't-he-start speculation this week.

Bonus: Tight end Anthony Hill has been upgraded to "probable," meaning he'll more than likely see some playing time on Saturday.

Getting these two players back in the fold is great news for an offense that showed little against South Florida and faces an equally-strong-if-not-stronger defense in Boston College. Wilson's ability to make plays on the run will help keep BC's pass rush a bit more honest, and having Hill in to block and add another pass-catching option should improve the effectiveness of both the running and passing games.

So knock on wood, kiss your rabbit's foot, toss some salt around...the injury situation, dare I say, seems to be getting better.

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Back by popular demand: ACC Buy, Hold or Sell: Week 5

Alright, thebigwood, this one's for you, buddy. Week Five's edition of ACC Buy, Hold or Sell.

Boston College: Buy
Boston College showed last Saturday that they can still put points on the board even if Matt Ryan is no longer quarterback. They throttled the University of Rhode Island 42-0 in a royal buttwhooping, a nice little tune up before they hit I-95 south on their way to Raleigh this weekend. The most impressive aspect of the Eagles thus far has been their defense, which statistically ranks at or near the top in every defensive category.

They'll no doubt be a tough out for the Pack this weekend.

Clemson: Sell
The Herb Sendek-ification of Clemson football continues. Tommy Bowden's WTF loss against Maryland this past weekend, in which he all but abandoned the running game in the second half despite enjoying great success against the Terps on the ground in the first, thereby taking the ball out of your top two playmakers in Davis and Spiller, has left Clemson fans numb to the state of the football program. It's not anger they feel; it's apathy.

I, and many of my Wolfpack brethren, felt the same way as the WTF losses mounted with our basketball program under Sendek. At some point all the life and the passion for it--be it football in Greenville or basketball in Raleigh three years ago--gets sucked out completely and you just stop caring about the end results. And that's a BAD place to be if you're the head coach.

Tommy's death watch is on...this time, with earnest.

(Continues)
Duke:Buy
I'm still buying the Blue Devils, who continue to post wins under Cutcliffe. After a week off from their Navy victory, Duke hosted UVa and kicked the ever-loving tar out of them 31-3, breaking a 26-conference game losing streak.

The road from here on out gets tough for the Devils, though, with nothing but conference games and a road trip to a very good Vanderbilt team. But people are excited about Duke football again...which means it's either time to seal yourselves up in the bomb shelter or it's about time for State to win another national title in basketball! (I vote the latter, not the former)

Florida State: Hold
Since I last left you, the Florida State Seminoles managed to drop a 12-3 contest to Wake Forest and then beat a mediocre Colorado team 39-21. Bottom line, I don't know which direction to take FSU. They still, after all these years since Chris Freaking Weinke, haven't developed a quarterback that can simply manage a game and let their other skill players make plays. Forget tossing 12 touchdowns a game--try throwing for fewer than four interceptions a game first. Baby steps, I guess.

Despite their continued foundering at QB, however, they're only one game--the aforementioned Wake game--from being 4-0 and atop the Atlantic Division. So I'm holding them, but with an itchy trigger finger. They take on Miami this weekend in a game that will help decide the outcome of both divisions.

Georgia Tech: Buy
What can you say about the job Paul Johnson has done in his first season at Tech that hasn't already been said? He's a damn good coach, period. As such he's got the Jackets poised to make a run at the Coastal title. To do it, though, Tech'll have to pretty much run the table in conference, as they dropped their first conference game to Virginia Tech. Nevertheless the Jackets have looked real solid thus far and are a strong buy in my book.

Maryland: Buy
It's not easy to go down to Death Valley and win against the Tigers, even if they're coached by Tommy Bowden. But that's just what Maryland did, knocking off Clemson 20-17, further adding to the weird rolloer coaster of a season the Terps have already been on just halfway through the year. At some point, you've got to give a team that finds a way to win their due, so I'm upgrading them to a Buy...until they find a way to lose to Virginia this weekend.

Miami: Sell
The Hurricanes had a tremendous opportunity to put the league on notice that they were a team to be reckoned with this year. Instead they let a pivotal home game against division rival North Carolina slip away in the final two minutes. It's clear that Shannon has some talent on his hands and a decent young QB in Robert Marve, who nearly led them on a game-winning drive in the final moments. But it's also clear that they have a lot of holes to shore up before they can be considered a solid top-tier team in the conference.

North Carolina: Buy
Ugh. I STILL hate Buying the Heels, but I've STILL got to do it. Winning on the road against Miami was a big win for Butch Davis and the Heels, putting away a tough conference foe in their house. Nearly everyone wrote them off when T.J. Yates went down with an injury because so much of the Tar Heel offense flows through the passing game, but Cameron Sexton stepped in and played admirably in his stead. As such, you have to give them their due. It will be interesting to see if Sexton can continue this level of play or if he'll revert back to the Sexton of old, the one who made poor decisions and tossed the ball more to the other team than tolerable.

N.C. State: Sell
The injury rate seems to have slowed a bit. That's about the best I can offer up as positives right now. Russell Wilson is still out with a mysterious shoulder injury (though there are reports that he's taking limited part in practices, which is encouraging), and until he returns it's Harrison Beck's show. And it's a show I don't think most folks like to see. As the weeks tick by, the sand in the hourglass for 2008 continues to run out and the opportunities for State to turn things around before the season ends start to slip away. This week's game against Boston College is huge, as it presents probably the best chance State has to defeat a conference foe, well, for the rest of the year, sadly.

Virginia: Sell
The carnival of crap continues in Charlottesville. I mean, if you're a Hoo fan, think about this: Your team just got beat by Duke. By 28 points. That's it, in a nutshell. Strong Sell, to be sure.

Virginia Tech: Buy
The Hokies won a big game for the ACC last week, beating Nebraska in their house. In a league still trying to find itself, the Hokies are still the best team out of the 12.

Wake Forest: Hold
Even Jim Grobe can have a WTF loss every now and then, I suppose. The midshipmen of Navy snuck up on the Deacs and exposed them a bit in a 24-17 upset over Wake Forest, particularly Wake's lack of a running game and depleted offensive line. Quarterback Riley Skinner managed to out-rush Josh Adams and Jordan Pendergrass combined, but had a rough game passing the football, tossing four picks. As bad as the Navy game went, however, I still think Skinner is the best QB in the league and will return to winning form from here on out. The bigger question is can the Deacs develop a running game to compliment him. The signs currently don't point that way, but Grobe is too good of a coach to sit idly by while his team struggles. Expect them to get better before the year is out.

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Q&A with Bill of Eagle in Atlanta

Remember when I said we'd probably be doing some more of these Q&A's with bloggers from other schools? Well we're on a roll, going back-to-back Q&A in sequential weeks.

This week we chat with Bill of Eagle in Atlanta, a Boston College fan who wound up deep in the heart of Dixie. Bonus for him, though: Matt Ryan managed to land in his backyard! That'd be like Philip Rivers getting drafted by the Raleigh semi-pro football team.

Eh, Sort of.

Anyway, you can find my answers to his queries here.

As to the questions I tossed his way, I asked him about Chris Crane, injuries, Steve Logan, the BC fan's second-favorite past time--hating Tom O'Brien--and of course about North Carolina's culinary gift to the world, barbecue.

(Continues)

Losing Matt Ryan to the NFL was obviously a big loss for the Eagles...can Chris Crane turn things around before the season (and his career) is over? How do BC fans feel about the job offensive coordinator Steve Logan has done this season with Crane?

If by turnaround you mean become a competent passer and potential NFL draftee, then no. I think we’ve seen most of Crane’s upside. That said, I think BC can win with his mistakes. He still brings things to the table (the ability to stretch the field with his arm and the deceptive running). Regardless of how well he plays week to week, he’ll still be on a short leash and will continue to split time with Dominique Davis. The coaches haven’t spelled it out, but they have indicated that the hot hand will get most of the snaps.

As for Logan, I am a big fan. How others feel will probably be influenced by the remainder of the season. No one expected Crane to be Matt Ryan. But most people thought Logan could mask his weaknesses and play to his strengths. That hasn’t happened yet. But there is still time.

As a member of a fanbase that essentially ran off a decent-but-not-great coach (Herb Sendek), I both understand and yet am somewhat puzzled by the venom BC fans have for O'Brien, even two years after his departure. Can you sum up just why there is so much hate for O'Brien in Chesnut Hill?

Most BC fans don’t hate O’Brien. In fact, I would say most are indifferent. As for the hardcore group, there were a few things that set them off. First and foremost is TOB’s ability to come up one game short and play not to lose against top teams. Then you mix in his whining about BC faults. He also had a habit of floating his name for every opening every year. The final blow to many was his parting shot. Saying “9 or 10” wins is the best you could do at BC rubbed people the wrong way. Ultimately his personality and underselling of BC is the foundation of the dislike. I am sure that in time and after he retires he’ll be welcome back with some sort of ceremony. Until then, he won’t have many in Chestnut Hill rooting for him.

It looks like, from the stats, that the rushing carries are getting divvied up pretty evenly among Montel Harris, Jeff Smith and Josh Haden. What do each of these three backs bring to the table, and how does Logan like to employ them in the running game?

Smith has the raw speed. Harris is probably the most natural (great vision and balance). Haden is somewhere in between. They’ve all been used similarly. We are in more of a true spread this year, so most are getting handoffs out of the shot gun and running to a hole. You’ll also see some option runs on Saturday.

What are your overall impressions of head coach Jeff Jagodzinski in year two?

Last year Jags showed he can coach. He put together a good staff. Took over an experienced team and took them further than anyone had previously done. This year’s challenge is different and we will see how he rides it out.

As for overall impression, I like the guy. I think he’s brought a good energy and outlook to the program yet hasn’t undone any of the great and unique things about BC. He gets “it.”

Did Boston College ever go through a period of injuries under Tom O'Brien like the ones State is dealing with currently?

I cannot remember a specific time where BC was hit as hard with injuries as NC State has been this season. Among the people who follow the program closely, many were critical of former Strength and Conditioning coach Todd Rice (NCSU's current S&C). He always claimed that his stretching method limited injuries. I am not a doctor nor personal trainer so I don't know what is better in the long run. I do know that many BC players lost weight and gained muscle under our new system. Anecdotally we also saw less flab and fewer tired arm tackles. We've had a few injuries but the serious ones were head/neck that have nothing to do with S&C programs.

And finally, have you ever had Eastern North Carolina style barbecue, can you tell the difference between it and Lexington style, and have you now or ever used "barbecue" as a verb?

Although I was raised elsewhere, I’ve lived in the South for a decade. I’ve had all different sorts of barbecue (dry, vinegar, mustard). My preference is still tomato based sauce. Scoff away. I do have to give the Carolinas respect for championing the whole pig concept. Why have just ribs or shoulder when you can have everything?

My thoughts exactly, Bill! If folks out in Lexington are only eating the shoulders, then what the hell are they doing with the rest of the pig? God made all of it tasty! You may prefer tomato-based 'cue, but you're alright in my book.

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Slow week for YANCSSB

You don't need me to tell you this but it's been a slow week for YANCSSB. Life is intervening a bit at the moment and that's taking precedent, as it should.

I should have a Q&A forthcoming this week, however, with Eagle in Atlanta's William M. where we'll tackle all things BC/NCSU.

Here are a couple of tidbits, though, to get you through:

- Tom O'Brien says this year's game with BC feels different.

- Clem Johnson apparently has the ability to convert eight pounds of food directly into muscle and fat within a 24-hour period:

O’Brien said safety Clem Johnson, who returned from a broken jaw last week, has regained all of the weight he lost while his jaw was braced to allow for recovery. Johnson lost between 10 and 15 pounds, and regained eight pounds within a day after the braces were removed.

I've heard of some crazy sh*t, but that about beats all.

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