Will two new head coaches be enough to revitalize the #OrangeEagle rivalry?
While proper naming conventions may be absent, the next Syracuse Orange opponent in our preview series is indeed listed as a rival in College Football 25. But since we’re focusing on the i.r.l. version… SU’s return to the Dome is short lived as just one Saturday after hosting Virginia Tech, they’ll be right back on the road to start the final third of the campaign. The last time these squads met, it resulted in the vast majority of ‘Cuse supporters clamoring for a coaching change. By the time they play this fall, those same fans will hopefully be satisfied with their program’s new direction – maybe a feeling the opposing fanbase will share about their own path.
Boston College Eagles
School: Boston College
Nickname: Eagles
Mascot: Baldwin the Eagle
#BRAND Slogans: #ForBoston, #EarnIt
Alternate #BRAND Slogan Suggestions: #BostonsFootballTeam, #SixIsStandard or “We take unused seats very seriously“
Recommended Blog: BC Interruption
Conference: ACC
History vs. Syracuse: While SU has a comfortable lead in the series, it’s much more due to their performance at home (20-10) than away (14-13). That wasn’t the case last year, when the BC offense did just enough to secure their fourth win inside the Dome in their last five tries. The Orange have also won four of their last five meetings on the road. This matchup is frequently played in late November, which has led to last-chance Bowl berths for Syracuse in both 2013 and 2004, plus 7th wins and guaranteed winning records for both sides on multiple occasions.
Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images
Coach: Bill O’Brien, first season. After Jeff Hafley prematurely fired himself to become defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, BC had to scramble for a replacement. Considering this all happened in late January, they couldn’t have found much better. Sure, O’Brien had a disastrous end to his Houston Texans tenure in 2020, but he’s very connected to the New England region and the Eagles desperately needed a local recruiting foundation. O’Brien’s other college HC job was at Penn State, which he took following the dismissal of Joe Paterno. He notably allowed players to wear jerseys with their names on the back, not traditionally done in State College, to thank them for remaining in the aftermath of one of the worst scandals in the sport’s history. He earned the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award for college football coach of the year in 2012. Most recently in his second Patriots stint, O’Brien was also an assistant with Alabama, Duke, Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Brown.
2023 Record: 7-6 (3-5)
Recapping Last Season:
Death, Taxes, and BC squeezing their way to six wins. I say that just slightly snarky, because SU fans are well aware that mediocre is a better state to be in than “I still think I can.” The Eagles started off just 1-3, with a home loss to Northern Illinois and a too-close-for-comfort match with Holy Cross. After that rough stretch, BC rattled off five straight wins, including road victories at West Point, Georgia Tech, and their bowl-clincher in Syracuse. Despite a chance for more prestige, the regular season ended with losses to Virginia Tech, Pitt, and Miami. In front of a de facto home crowd, the Eagles defeated soon-to-be ACC confidant SMU 23-14 in a rainy Fenway Bowl.
The offense was headed by transfer sophomore Thomas Castellanos. While his passing numbers (2,248 yards, 57.3% completions, 15/14 TDs/INTs) weren’t particularly noteworthy, the real magic happened on the ground. LSU’s Jayden Daniels was the only FBS QB to have more than his 1,113 rushing yards, and no one else topped his 13 scores. Kye Robichaux usurped Pat Garwo as the top RB, adding 780 yards and eight touchdowns to the ground-heavy attack. The only consistent receiving option was via the breakout of Lewis Bond, who went from just five catches as a redshirt freshman to leading the team with 52 for 646 yards and seven TDs. It should be obvious how the Eagles were 16th in total rushing but 111th (out of 134 teams) in total passing.
The irony of the BC defense was that they were good at shutting down the skies themselves, but absolutely abysmal at attempting to stop the run – 9th-worst in the country, in fact. SU fans should remember corner Elijah Jones, who had two of his five picks in last fall’s meeting. Aside from him, there just wasn’t any ‘star power’ to elevate the unit. Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku regressed massively from 2022 (only two sacks and two forced fumbles compared to 7.5 and three), and the Eagles racked up just 13 sacks total. Liam Connor didn’t have many chances to kick FGs, converting on 11/14.
Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
2024 Season Outlook:
Non-conference opponents are Duquesne, Michigan State, Western Kentucky, and at Missouri. After opening on Monday Night in Tallahassee, the Eagles also fly to Virginia twice for UVA and Virginia Tech, and later to Dallas for a rematch with SMU. Four of their last five are at home, versus Louisville, SU, North Carolina, and Pitt. Weeks 7 and 10 are Byes.
Castellanos retains Bond as his main target and will hope for added production from Jerand Bradley (Texas Tech leading receiver in 2022), Jayden McGowan (two-year starter at Vanderbilt) and returning 5th-year Dino Tomlin. Treshaun Ward also comes in from Kansas State to be a change-of-pace option alongside Robichaux.
The two leading tacklers graduated, so Fenway Bowl MVP Cam Arnold will have to step up and lead the defense in his final year. LB Bryce Steele (51 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in ‘22) could also have an impact after missing all of last season. Free safety Cole Batson went down in Week 11 last season and opponents took advantage up top – they’ll need his consistency to stay successful against the pass. Bryquice Brown comes home to Mass. after four years at Georgia State, but replacing Jones is an enormous ask.
Syracuse Game Date: Saturday, November 9
Location: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Odds of Orange Victory: 70%
Very Early Outlook vs. Syracuse:
It’s another year where BC should be aiming for that magic 6-6 mark, and anything beyond that is a huge plus. I gave them a little leeway in the odds because harsh elements can certainly swing things a bit more in their favor, but SU still has a clear advantage on both sides. However, extra wear could also be a factor against the Orange, as opposed to the Eagles fresh off a bye.
Even great teams tend to have that one ugly game that leaves fans saying “I’ll take it?” rather doubtfully. That’s what I picture this game being. We saw BC come out on top when ‘Cuse had a ton of chances last fall, so flip that script here and have an unexpectedly sluggish Orange offense wake up late to sneak away with the win.