Boston College Daily Links: ESPN Bloggers Curse Eagles Vs. 'Cats

One day until FOOTBALL!! WOO!!

ACC predictions: Week 1 (ESPN ACC Blog)
Boston College 24, Northwestern 21: The Eagles will prove that their offense has indeed gotten better, and quarterback Chase Rettig will look much better than he did a year ago. Northwestern will give BC problems, but the Achilles injury to quarterback Dan Persa will be a factor.

Big Ten predictions: Week 1 (ESPN Big Ten Blog)
Brian Bennett: I'm still not sold on a Boston College offense that was really bad last season. But I'm even less sold on Northwestern without a healthy Dan Persa. ... Boston College 19, Northwestern 17

Adam Rittenberg: I agree. Both teams likely will be shorthanded, but Northwestern makes one too many mistakes to get out of Chestnut Hill with a victory. Boston College 24, Northwestern 20 

BC’s Steele Divitto in key spot (BostonHerald.com)
"It was quite an experience, but all my life I’ve looked to be challenged," said the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Divitto. "I looked around for the place that would challenge me best. And it worked out. I met some great people and had some great coaches, and now I’m at BC and have an even greater opportunity, with great coaches and great teammates, too."

Creampuffery: Big Ten Week One Preview (Black Shoe Diaries)
This is the de-facto game of the week because it should be the only game that finishes with a score that's within two touchdowns. There's a lot of hype surrounding Northwestern this year (especially from our favorite writers over at the Patriot News) and they'll certainly face the stiffest test (of any Big Ten team with hopes of winning) on Saturday. Even if Dan Persa can't go (his pimp walk may end up keeping him out of the game) I think Northwestern ends up winning this one. Prediction: NW - 27 BC - 13

Five questions facing Boston College (BostonHerald.com)
For the better part of four intrasquad scrimmages, the new offensive coordinator’s product has been pushing the ball down the field — and using the entire field. Unlike recent years, the offense was able to click in scrimmages with proficiency. Whether that’s an indictment on the current defense or a sign the offense really does deserve some kudos will be answered when Northwestern comes to town. Look for tight ends Chris Pantale and Lars Anderson to make their mark on this offense.

Mark Herzlich takes step closer to making Giants' cut (ESPN Boston)
"It will be nerve-wracking, but at the same time it is kind of like anything that I do, you try to put it all out there and then there are things that you can control and you can't control," Herzlich said. "Right now, I can't control what happens. [Thursday] was my last opportunity to prove something. If I did, great; if I didn't, then that means I have to work harder to try to make another team.

Northwestern hoping QB Persa is ready to play (The Boston Globe)
"Dan is getting better every day,’’ said Fitzgerald, who listed Persa as the starter over sophomore backup Kain Colter. "He is listed as the starter for a reason,’’ said Fitzgerald. "But the doctors say the normal rehab time for his injury is 12-14 months, and Dan is sitting at 10 months right now, which is way ahead of schedule."

BC’s road ahead: A look at this season’s schedule (BostonHerald.com)

Boston College football opens on Saturday (ESPN Boston)
It's just one game. At the end of the year, no matter the final record, it will still count for just one-fourth of the nonconference schedule and just one-twelfth of the overall schedule. Those are all facts. And yet it feels so much more important than that. Because it's the first game. Because until Saturday, the Boston College Eagles are, as head coach Frank Spaziani likes to say, unscored upon and undefeated.

Here Come Colter & The ‘Cats (Lake The Posts)
I’ve turned my attention and hopes, fears and dreams to Kain Colter.  The scrappy sophomore QB, who, as this LW article explains, couldn’t even throw without severe pain as a QB in his senior year of high school thanks to a torn labrum.  Reports all camp have been that he’s "improved greatly" and has a full command of the offense. Yet, the evolving excitement for what 2012 will look like in many regards has been tempered with reports of inconsistency hitting wide open guys.

Sippin' Up To Boston: A Semi-Serious Road Trip Checklist (Sippin' On Purple)
A list of things to do in Boston, few of which I plan on doing.

2011 FSU Season Predictions (Tomahawk Nation)
Lots of love for BC here. 

No. 16 Men's Soccer Scores Four Second-Half Goals In Win Against Quinnipiac (BCEagles.com)
Senior Amit Aburmad scored two second half goals and assisted on another to lead the No. 16 Boston College men's soccer team to a 5-0 win against Quinnipiac Thursday at the Newton Campus Field.

Gene DeFilippo on Twitter @BCGeneD
Coach Spaz, Montel Harris, Luke Kuechly and Ifeanyi Momah told the BC Band how appreciated they are and passed out ice cream to each member.