Boston College Moments Of The Year And The Big Finish

Brian: It's New Years Eve. I'm not exactly sure where this year went, but with 2011 right around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to look back at the best Boston College sports moments of the year.

We didn't have too, too much to cheer about on the gridiron. I guess a five-game losing streak in the middle of the season has that effect on Superfans. Some of the best plays that come to mind are Rettig's first TD pass to Swigert against Notre Dame, Rettig's deciding TD pass to Montel Harris in the Clemson win, and some big runs from Montel Harris (at Florida State) and Andre Williams (at Syracuse). Of course, the moment of the year in football was the return of Mark Herzlich to the field, less than a year from being declared cancer free.

When the calendar turned to April, the men's hockey team put in another dominant performance in the Frozen Four, blasting Miami and Wisconsin by a combined score of 12-1 to win the school's fourth National Championship.

The game of the year may very well have been BC's 7-6 overtime victory over Maine in the Hockey East Championship. BC senior Matt Lombardi's overtime winner likely sealed a #1 seed for the Eagles in the NCAA Tournament. That goal paved the way for the final four wins of the season and another National title for Jerry York and the Eagles.

There wasn't a whole lot to cheer about on the hardwood as BC limped to a 15-16 record and saw their head coach of 13 years fired. I guess a 20 point victory over Virginia Tech late in the season that all but burst the Hokies' NCAA bubble was about as signature a win as we got last year.

How about you? What are the moments that stand out for you in 2010?

Jeff: When you talk about great BC moments, I immediately think basketball and football so unfortunately there was not a whole lot to cheer about this season. Also, games that I attended are much more memorable than games I watched on TV. I did not see any BC basketball victories in person this calendar year and I saw several football losses in person. In fact, between the two sports I only saw one victory and that was the game against Clemson.

As you know, the Clemson game has a lot of meaning in my household so it was extra special for that reason and it helps when you knock of the reigning Atlantic Division champs. The Clemson game was not magical in any way and a few years from now I will not be able to tell you the final score or any one specific play unlike the last time when we beat Clemson in Chestnut Hill thanks to a huge goal line stand. But this year was still a win against a bowl-bound team and that was something to cheer about in 2010.

Big Finish

Brian: Matt Ryan and the Falcons host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. If they win, they'll earn home field throughout the playoffs. Ryan is pretty good at home (19-2 as a starter). Are the Falcons your pick for this year's NFC Champs?

Jeff: Yes, I think the Falcons will get the Saints if they play them again and Philly looked bad on Tuesday

Jeff: The ACC improved their bowl record to 3-1 with North Carolina's overtime victory over Tennessee. Chances the ACC finishes 6-3 or better?

Brian: Not great. The ACC is still an underdog in three of their last five bowl games. 30%.

Brian: Russell Wilson threw for 276 yards and 2 TD in N.C. State's 23-7 win over West Virginia in the Champs Sports Bowl. Is this the last we've seen of RW in a Wolfpack uniform?

Jeff: I would have to imagine given his baseball talents.

Jeff: Now that we're headed into January, what are the chances of a national championship repeat from the hockey team?

Brian: There are plenty of really, really good hockey programs out there. Can't give BC more than a 15% chance of a repeat at this point. Still very early though.

Brian: Last one. BC hoops looks to get back in the win column as they travel to South Carolina to take on the 8-3 Gamecocks. Who ya got? What's the final score?

Jeff: Please, please, please let me start my 2011 with a BC win that I'll be in attendance for ...

Bowl Pick'Em Week 3

Brian:

Liberty Bowl: Georgia vs. UCF +7
Peach Bowl: South Carolina vs. Florida State +3
TicketCity: Texas Tech -10 vs. Northwestern
Outback: Florida -7 vs. Penn State
Capital One: Alabama -10 vs. Michigan State
Gator: Mississippi State -4.5 vs. Michigan
Rose: Wisconsin +3 vs. TCU
Fiesta: Connecticut +17 vs. Oklahoma
Orange: Stanford vs. Virginia Tech +3.5
Sugar: Ohio State -3.5 vs. Arkansas
GoDaddy.com: Middle Tennessee +1 vs. Miami (Ohio)
Cotton: LSU vs. Texas A&M +1
BBVA Compass: Pittsburgh -3.5 vs. Kentucky
Kraft Fight Hunger: Boston College +7.5 vs. Nevada
BCS National Championship: Auburn -3 vs. Oregon

Jeff:

Liberty Bowl: Georgia -7 vs. UCF
Peach Bowl: South Carolina vs. Florida State +3
TicketCity: Texas Tech vs. Northwestern +10
Outback: Florida vs. Penn State +7
Capital One: Alabama -10 vs. Michigan State
Gator: Mississippi State -4.5 vs. Michigan
Rose: Wisconsin +3 vs. TCU
Fiesta: Connecticut vs. Oklahoma -17
Orange: Stanford vs. Virginia Tech +3.5
Sugar: Ohio State vs. Arkansas +3.5
GoDaddy.com: Middle Tennessee vs. Miami (Ohio) -1
Cotton: LSU -1 vs. Texas A&M
BBVA Compass: Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky +3.5
Kraft Fight Hunger: Boston College +7.5 vs. Nevada
BCS National Championship: Auburn -3 vs. Oregon

Have a safe and happy New Year! Go Eagles!