:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64988874/1064810742.jpg.0.jpg)
Kansas will head to the east coast for its first road test of 2019 with a matchup in Chestnut Hill and the Eagles of Boston College. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
BC is led by Steve Addazio, who will be entering his 7th year at the helm of BC. Interestingly, the Eagles have won exactly 7 games in every season under Addazio save one, 2015, which was his third year when BC went winless in conference play and finished 3-9.
Even more interestingly, Addazio is the star of his very own video game. I... don’t really know what else to say about that.
Game Info
Kansas @ Boston College
September 13 (Fri), 2019: 6:30 PM
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: Alumni Stadium (44,500)
About the BC Offense
During ACC Media Days, Addazio confirmed that despite a switch at offensive coordinator this season, the Eagles would focus on a pro-style offense based on tempo, power running, and play-action. BC returns 69% of its offensive production from 2019, including QB Anthony Brown and Heisman hopeful RB AJ Dillon. In fact, all 3 of BC’s top rushing options from last year are back, along with its top pass catcher in WR Kobay White.
However, BC is losing 4 starters along the offensive from last year’s week 1 depth chart. BC is definitely a run-first team, with no receiver last year that logged more than 34 receptions. The Eagles ran the ball on 61.4% of its plays last season.
About the BC Defense
Where the Eagles will have a lot of fresh faces is defensively. BC returns just 38% of its production from last season, which is the third-worst mark in D1. BC played a base 4-3 last season and returns the defensive coordinator. However, BC returns just two starters from 2018’s opening depth chart, one lineman and one linebacker. I would have to think the defense overall would be the biggest cause for concern for Eagles fans heading into the season, as you just don’t know what they’ll have.
Preseason Rankings
Overall, BC lost 11 of its 13 All-Conference players from 2018. Bill Connelly did a pre-spring S&P+ ranking back in February of all 130 teams and has Boston College at #72, surrounded by teams like Arkansas State, South Florida, Houston, and Southern Miss.
Meanwhile, Athlon also ranked all 130 teams in pre-spring as well in March, and has the Eagles at #64.
For reference, the Jayhawks were ranked #107 by S&P+ and #106 by Athlon.
Foolish Prediction
Strangely, I feel more confident about KU’s chances in this game now, having taken a deeper dive into the roster than when I made this prediction a few months ago. I didn’t realize just how badly the defense was going to be gutted coming into 2019.
Their running back looks like he’s going to be a stud, and the QB certainly seems capable. The game entirely hinges on whether or not Kansas will be able to slow them down at all. But, with a revamped offensive line, maybe KU’s equally raw front-seven will be up to the task?
BC has Virginia Tech and Richmond prior to hosting the Jayhawks, so they’ll have had a little time to work on things. But then again, same goes for the Jayhawks (just with a weaker schedule).
I guess I’m going to have to stay in the camp of “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Kansas hasn’t beaten a P5 opponent on the road since Iowa State in 2008. That’s 10 years, folks. I understand that times, they are a changin’ in Lawrence, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. If Les wins this one, go ahead and build him a statue. Until then, my original prediction stands. Boston College 38, Kansas 28.