Game Preview Links: Boston College vs. Syracuse

Boston College football looks to get their season back on track tomorrow afternoon at Syracuse (3:30 PM, RSNs/NESN in Boston). Here’s a look at some previews from around the media:

Boston Herald:
Boston College to Grind It Out at Syracuse

The running backs shall lead the charge.

That will be Boston College’s formula for success when the Eagles encounter the Syracuse Orangemen in an ACC Atlantic Division game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.

Boston Globe:
Who will start at quarterback for Boston College at Syracuse? The coach isn’t saying

Hafley has stayed mum about who will start at quarterback against Syracuse (4-4, 1-3 ACC) Saturday at the Carrier Dome, but he did acknowledge that he took a hard look at the position. He wouldn’t divulge whether he decided on Grosel, Daelen Menard, Matthew Rueve, or Emmett Morehead, but he said he feels confident with the choice.

“It’s not necessarily that we can’t score,” Sinkfield said. “It’s little things here, little things there. There’s not anything we have to drastically change or to completely find a new identity. We have our identity. We just have to perfect it.”

Tight end Joey Luchetti echoed those thoughts and said it all comes down to execution. He believes the Eagles have plenty of playmaking ability and simply need to eliminate mental errors and return to the basics.

Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician:
Syracuse football vs. Boston College preview: Five things to watch

Testing Boston College’s run defense early and often:

Last week, we pointed out that Virginia Tech’s run defense was questionable, allowing 4.3 yards per carry going in. The Hokies would give up 6.98 per carry to Syracuse, despite slowing Sean Tucker for a short stretch. So can Boston College fare any better against the nation’s No. 8 rushing offense?

I wouldn’t necessarily bank on it. BC’s allowing 4.42 yards per carry (95th in the country), though interestingly have surrendered just nine scores on the ground. The Eagles front should have their hands full between Tucker and Garrett Shrader. And if Shrader’s running ability is occupying a linebacker or two, that should mean more passing opportunities, too — if SU can take advantage (questionable aside from fourth quarters so far).

Associated Press:
Syracuse hosts BC; a lot on the line for both

Shrader has settled nicely into his role as the starter and at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds gives the Orange an impressive second option in the run game behind tailback Sean Tucker, who leads the nation in rushing with 1,060 yards. Shrader rushed for 137 yards, 178 and 174 in three of the past four games, the lone blip coming in a 17-14 home loss to Clemson, when he had only seven rushing attempts and gained six yards. Still, he scored once — untouched from in close after the Tigers put all of their focus on Tucker in the middle — and threw a 62-yard scoring pass to Trebor Pena late in the game.

BC Bulletin:
Three Keys to Victory: Syracuse vs. Boston College

Complete One (1) Pass Beyond 20 Yards

Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician:
Q&A with BC Interruption

BC’s defense has looked top-40ish this season. What does this group do so well and how does that help make up for offensive struggles?

The group understands its weaknesses well. They don’t generate much pressure or get many sacks, so they bide a bit more. They’ll get home occasionally, but they do a good job of getting off the field. Although it gets more and more difficult when the offense can’t stay on it. Third down has been particularly good for the most part. The coverage is sound and that’s where the real skill lies as well. Brandon Sebastian, Josh DeBerry, Jaiden Woodbey. These guys are very talented and have come away with some timely turnovers. Overall they haven’t generated all that many, but dominated on that front last week. But again, it was to no avail since the offense didn’t capitalize.