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Through five weeks of play, Boston College has the #1 defense in the nation by several measures. However, the offense continues to struggle mightily. That said, Vegas seems to think that they can score at least 10, because BC has been installed as a 9.5 point favorite by Wynn Las Vegas and other online sports books in advance of Saturday's game against Wake Forest.
The Eagles are now 1-2 against the spread this season after falling to Duke by 2 as a 4.5 point underdog. Previously, BC fell short of the spread against both Florida State and Northern Illinois. The two FCS opponents, Maine and Howard, were mostly off the board.
Wake Forest is 2-3 on the season and also 2-3 against the spread this year. As 18 point underdogs this past weekend, Wake Forest hung tough with Florida State, losing 24-16. It was a nice sign of growth for the Deacons, who had been smashed a few weeks earlier by Syracuse.
BC is entering a potentially very difficult stretch in which they might not be favored again for a long time after this game -- possibly not even until the final game against Syracuse, and possibly not any time at all. In order to change public perception, BC will need to actually, you know, score some points. If they do, they should be alright.