Clearing out an RSS reader chocked full of season previews of BC's various 2010 opponents. Note: It's probably a very good thing when over half of your FBS opponents are ranked in the bottom 60 of various preseason countdowns. And this link dump doesn't even include previews of Kent State or Virginia.
October 16: at N.C. State
60 Teams 'til Kickoff: NC State - BCS Evolution
Backing The Pack helps BCS Evolution preview N.C. State at #60 in their countdown. Sound about right? "Tough to complain about it considering NC State has yet to prove anything other than mediocre under Tom O'Brien. Between the schedule and the problems on the defensive side of the ball, there's little reason to expect anything different in 2010. That said, I AM OUTRAGED."
Five and Five: N.C. State - Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog
Dislike? "Look at how N.C. State opens A.C.C. play: at Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Florida State and at Clemson. Ouch."
College football countdown: Nos. 51-55 - D1SCOURSE
Lots of interesting subplots in Raleigh this year, including Tom O'Brien on the hot seat? If the 'Pack manage to beat Western Carolina in their season opener, it will be their first season opening win in 3 years.
October 23: Maryland
College football countdown: No. 89 Maryland - Sporting News
"Why we know we're right: The Terps finished 11th in the conference in scoring offense and tied for last in scoring defense. And not enough has changed to make those numbers much different in 2010. Junior Jamarr Robinson should provide more athleticism and leadership at quarterback, but he'll work behind an offensive line that allowed 36 sacks last year."
62 Teams 'til Kickoff: Maryland - BCS Evolution
Maryland comes in at No. 62 in BCS Evolution's preseason countdown. "I see four likely wins, four likely losses and four close games. If they beat FSU I'm happy."
College football countdown: Nos. 66-70 - D1SCOURSE
"There should be a regression (or is it progression?) to the mean of sorts, and that means the most likely outcome is a 4-8 or 5-7 season. If the offensive line --- last year's pronounced bugaboo --- develops, perhaps the upside is an anonymous trip to the EagleBank Bowl."
October 30: Clemson
College football countdown: No. 61 Clemson - Sporting News
Sporting News isn't very high on the Tigers' chances to repeat in the Atlantic Division. Predicted record: 5-7. "Our confidence level in this pick: High. It's the wrong year for new blood behind center for the Tigers. Clemson gets Auburn and South Carolina in the nonconference, division contenders Florida State and Boston College on the road. Its ACC crossover games bring meetings with Miami, North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Yikes."
College Football 2010 Rankings: No. 59 Clemson - College Gridiron 365 Blog - Orlando Sentinel
The Orlando Sentinel isn't very high on the Tigers, either.
College football countdown: Nos. 41-45 - D1SCOURSE
"The big question is whether or not Clemson can survive a schedule that sets them up for serious headaches. The Tigers draw Georgia Tech, Miami and North Carolina from the Coastal Division (no Duke or Virginia to be seen), must visit Boston College and Florida State and also take an early swing to Auburn."
November 6: at Wake Forest
The Countdown: No. 70 Wake Forest - Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog
"Grobe always -- well, nearly always -- delivers. He’s perhaps the best coach in the country at making something out of nothing; this team is far from nothing, for lack of a better word, yet Grobe will have his hands full. I’m giving the Demon Deacons some credit -- most are predicting less, I’ve noticed. I think this a borderline bowl team -- perhaps six wins, though it won’t be pretty."
Five and Five: Wake Forest - Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog
Subtle changes in offensive philosophy this season in Winston-Salem. Look for the Deacons to favor a more run-based option attack with a roster change at QB.
Key stretch: Wake Forest - ACC Blog - ESPN
Wake Forest's key stretch in 2010 is a string of three Atlantic Division games from October 30 to November 13 that includes hosting BC in between road games at Maryland and N.C. State.
November 13: at Duke
College football countdown: No. 70 Duke - Sporting News
"Cutcliffe continues to upgrade the talent—freshman RB Josh Snead, freshman DT Sydney Sarmiento, sophomore WR Conner Vernon—and the Blue Devils have a distinct, physical personality. Duke could've played Alabama this fall at a neutral site and pocketed millions, but instead insisted the return game in the series be played at Wallace Wade Stadium. Cutcliffe—and AD Kevin White—are serious about winning in Durham."
Five and Five: Duke - Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog
Likes ... "David Cutcliffe. If he leads Duke to bowl play — as I suspect he will in 2010 — Cutcliffe might finally begin to earn some of the national publicity he so justly deserves."
The Countdown: No. 68 Duke - Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog
Is this the year that Duke finally gets over the hump of bowl eligibility? NYT's Paul Myerberg seems to think so.
November 27: at Syracuse
92 Teams 'til Kickoff: Syracuse - BCS Evolution
Troy Nunes helps preview Syracuse at number 92 in BCS Evolution's countdown. "I'm not going to begrudge anyone for ranking SU low, I'm just happy we're in single digits. SU has too many question marks for anyone to take them out of the Big East basement just yet. That said, don't be too surprised when they're 3-1 to start the season (they open with Akron, Washington, Maine and a TBD game that is rumored to be Colgate)."
College football countdown: No. 99 Syracuse - Sporting News
"2010 projected record: 3-9 (0-7 Big East)" Yeesh.
Fridays With Jerry: Teams Nos. 80-71 - Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog
"I like the direction of the program. I think this team is close. Let’s give Marrone one more year to show progress, one more year to continue to add talent to a depleted roster, and the Orange will be bowl bound in 2011."