Boston College Vs. Georgia Tech: Farewell To The Coastal Division And The Big Finish

Brian: With all the turmoil surrounding the Boston College football program, a possibly overlooked storyline for tomorrow's game with the Yellow Jackets is the fact that BC likely won't face Georgia Tech again for another six seasons. With the ACC sticking with an eight game conference football schedule and Syracuse and Pittsburgh on the way, programs will end up playing non-protected crossover rivals at a "once every six years and once every 12 at home" clip. While it's unclear how the scheduling will work and for how long Notre Dame holds out on going all-in with its football program, as it stands now, BC will likely have seen the last of Georgia Tech for another six years or so. Similarly, BC will face Duke, Miami, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Virginia at a similar clip. Basically, not all that often.

My question. Rank these six ACC Coastal Division programs in terms of how much BC will miss the series with these Coastal Division programs: Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Virginia.

Jeff: Thanks for the softball you lobbed up there for me Brian. [Ed. note -- Spaz told me "Softball questions ONLY"]

This is pretty obvious that BC will miss playing Miami the most by far. Anytime BC plays Miami there is a little extra national attention because of the Flutie Hail Mary game being on of the most well known college football games of all time.

Then since there is the Big East connection, Pitt comes in second on this list but I would say a distant second.

Third is tough to figure out but I'll go with North Carolina because in addition to ACC play, we met them in Charlotte in a bowl game prior to joining the ACC. Then, Georgia Tech and Virginia are interchangable with Duke bringing up the rear because Duke football memories are not very memorable.

Brian: Miami is 1. I've got North Carolina and Virginia tied for second for opposite reasons. North Carolina remains the one team the Eagles haven't beaten since joining the ACC and Virginia is the one ACC school against which BC remains unbeaten. Pittsburgh is fourth because BC-Pitt is pretty meh in my book. I'll miss Duke fifth because they are Duke and good for a W in most years and Georgia Tech last.

So see ya Tech. Catch you again in another 6-12 years.

Big Finish

Brian: At ACC Operation Basketball, Ryan Anderson says he's ready to lead this team this year. Do you expect him to emerge as the leader of this young team?

Jeff: I think he'll lead in terms of scoring...

Jeff: Eagle In Atlanta wants BC to play Ohio State who is looking for a home game next year. You say?

Brian: There's probably no return date. I want to see BC-Ohio State eventually, but not next year.

Brian: Kicker Nate Freese is one of four players in the country not to have missed a FG or an XP this season. Sounds like a jinx, no?

Jeff: I can't believe you wrote that.

Jeff: Since outscoring Georgia Tech is the only way we win tomorrow, will Chris Pantale help us do that? Does he catch a TD?

Brian: Don't think so. No.

Brian: Boston College men's hockey won last night at UMass in OT. Thoughts?

Jeff: Gaudreaubey!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff: What would I have to set the over/under at for you to take the under on the Georgia Tech rushing yards line? 550? 600? 700?

Brian: Has to be lower. There's no way the BC D puts up another Army-like performance ... 350.

Brian: Last one. N.C. State travels to Maryland having lost 16 straight Atlantic Division road games. Do the Terps make it #17 for TOB and the Pack?

Jeff: I have a strange feeling they do. Couldn't take them in pick 5.

Pick 5

Brian (3-2 last week, 18-17 overall):

Iowa St. Cyclones (+14) at Oklahoma St. Cowboys
Boston College Eagles (+14.5) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders (+19) at Mississippi St. Bulldogs
Virginia Tech Hokies at Clemson Tigers (-8)
Utah Utes at Oregon St. Beavers (-9.5)

Jeff (3-2 last week, 13-22 overall):

Penn St. Nittany Lions (+2.5) at Iowa Hawkeyes
Auburn Tigers (+6.5) at Vanderbilt Commodores
LSU Tigers (-3.5) at Texas A&M Aggies
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Temple Owls (+4)
Stanford Cardinal (-3) at California Golden Bears

ATL (1-0 last week, 2-5 overall):