Notre Dame Opponent Preview: Boston College Eagles Defense
By Andrew Hall
Sep 24, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles linebacker Nick Clancy (54) celebrates as Boston College Eagles linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (not pictured) runs a fumble back for a touchdown against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE
Boston College Eagles
November 10, 2012 at 8:00 pm
TV: ABC
Last Meeting: Boston College 14-Notre Dame 16
Line: Notre Dame (-19.0)
The Boston College Defense is allowing 30.9 points per game this season. This total ranks 86th in country for points allowed. This statistically is the worst number that will face this season. Boston College allows 232.2 yards rushing per game. Only the Miami Hurricanes allow more yards on the Notre Dame schedule. The Fighting Irish rushed for 376 yards against Hurricanes. It is reasonable to believe that Notre Dame will rush effectively against the Eagles. Boston College also allows 245.2 yards through the air. This brings the total to 477.4 yards per game, which ranks the Eagles 111th in the nation. It is safe to believe that Notre Dame should be able to move the ball against Boston College. However, the Eagles always give the Irish a game. This year will not be different.
Nick Clancy, LB, Senior
Clancy is the latest Boston College Linebacker to emerge in this Defense. He checks in at 6’3” and 232 lbs. This season, he has collected 11.9 tackles per game. In a game against Northwestern this season, Clancy recorded 24 tackles. This total won him ACC Defensive Player of Week. 24 tackles was 1 short of the Boston College record. Clancy is simply a tackling machine. However, he looks a step slower than most Linebackers. To make up for this, Clancy hustles and plays technically sound football. That would explain why he has broken up 9 passes so far this season.
Steele Divitto, LB, Junior
Divitto has perhaps the greatest name in college football. He was meant to play linebacker. Divitto has collected 75 tackles this season or 8.33 tackles per game. He is another big linebacker for the Eagles. He checks in at 6’3” and 238 lbs. Additionally, he has forced one fumble and broken up three passes.
Sean Sylvia, DB, Sophomore
Sylvia plays Defensive Back for the Boston College Eagles. He has recorded 75 tackles or 8.33 tackles per game. He checks in at 6’0″ 210 lbs. He closes quickly to stop the run from his position. Also, he has recorded one interception on the season. Sylvia has 1.5 tackles for loss on the season.
Boston College on paper seems too inept to stop Notre Dame’s Offense. However, the Eagles always play very tough against the Fighting Irish. This game should not be different. However, Notre Dame should be able to run ball for over 200 yards. It is possible that Notre Dame may even surpass the 300 yard mark. Everything points on paper to a prolific evening for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame will probably put up more than 30 points in this game. But, these are only maybes. Notre Dame needs to again show the voters in the Harris and Coaches Polls why they should vote the Irish higher in polls.