Conference openers are always important, but in what already seems like a wide-open ACC, Tech’s matchup at Boston College is critical. To get a good start in the conference, both teams will rely on defense. For the Yellow Jackets, repeating their 349-yard rushing performance is unlikely against a BC team that gave up only 126 yards against star back Eugene Jarvis (11 carries, 51 yards) and Kent State last Saturday. BC featured one of the nation’s top defenses against the run last season and now they regain defensive tackle B.J. Raji and LB Brian Toal, both missed all of last season. The key for Josh Nesbitt in this game is to hold on to the ball and get it to Demaryius Thomas, who should have a distinct advantage over BC’s young secondary. Also BC may key in on Jonathan Dwyer and Roddy Jones, which will present opportunities in the passing game.
Tech’s defense will have an advantage over BC’s offense, which not only lost Matt Ryan but also the tailback tandem of Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth. New quarterback Chris Crane showed some mobility scoring two touchdowns last Saturday, but is not as mobile as Ryan Perrilloux, who got much of his 92 yards against Tech’s reserves. Look for Vance Walker and Michael Johnson to emerge with good games. However, the loss of linebacker Brad Jefferson will hurt.
The game will assuredly lack an offensive clinic that Ryan put on last season. And while both defenses will own this game, scoring for Paul Johnson’s run-first offense will be a tall order, especially on the road. I’ll predict a 17-7 BC victory in what may prove to be a less exciting, grind-it-out game.
Crosskey can be reached at jcrosskey@scoreatl.com.
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