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Boston College - Maryland Matchup
The Boston College Eagles (8-2) will need to defeat the Maryland Terrapins (8-2) on Saturday in Chestnut
Hill to keep their ACC title hopes alive. If the Eagles win their last two games and Wake
Forest loses their last two, the Eagles will be headed to the ACC Championship game in
Jacksonville. Both the Eagles and Terps are coming off victories. Last Saturday, BC defeated
Duke 28-7 while Maryland topped Miami 14-13. The Eagles are a seven-point favorite.
The Quarterbacks |
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Matt Ryan -- 61.8% comp, 2,282 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT |
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Sam Hollenbach -- 62.4% comp, 1,717 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT |
Top Rushers |
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L.V. Whitworth -- 670 yards, 4.7 ypc, 4 TD |
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Andre Callender -- 507 yards, 4.6 ypc, 2 TD |
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Lance Ball -- 630 yards, 4.4 ypc, 7 TD |
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Keon Lattimore -- 499 yards, 4.8 ypc, 2 TD |
Top Receivers |
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Kevin Challenger (WR) -- 41 catches, 463 yards, 5 TD |
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Tony Gonzalez (WR) -- 32 catches, 346 yards, 4 TD |
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Brandon Robinson (WR) -- 30 catches, 401 yards, 0 TD |
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Darrius Heyward-Bay (WR) -- 34 catches, 539 yards, 4 TD |
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Joey Haynos (TE) -- 26 catches, 260 yards, 2 TD |
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Danny Oquendo (WR) -- 23 catches, 260 yards, 1 TD |
Top Defenders |
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Jolonn Dunbar (LB) -- 64 tackles, 1 forced fumble |
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Jamie Silva (FS) -- 43 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 INT |
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DeJuan Tribble (CB) -- 38 tackles, 3 INT |
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Erin Henderson (LB) -- 88 tackles, 2 INT |
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Wesley Jefferson (LB) -- 86 tackles, 2.5 sacks |
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Josh Wilson (CB) -- 42 tackles, 10 passes broken up |
The Kickers |
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Steve Aponavicius -- 5/7 FG, 16/16 PAT |
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Dan Ennis -- 15/19 FG, 25/25 PAT |
The Punters |
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Johnny Ayers -- 41.4 yards per punt |
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Adam Podlesh -- 43.5 yards per punt |
The Kick Returners |
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Jeff Smith -- 31.0 per KO return DeJuan Tribble -- 9.7 per punt return |
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Josh Wilson -- 30.2 yards per KO ret Danny Oquendo -- 10.0 yards per punt return |
Final Analysis
I was shocked when I looked at the Maryland statistics today. The Terps are 8-2 but they have
the stats of a 3-7 team. Here's a look: Maryland opponents have outscored the Terps this season
by a total of 22 points; Maryland opponents have 18 more first downs; Maryland is giving up 43 more
yards per game on the ground (and 64 yards overall) than their opponents; Terrapin opponents are
averaging 4.6 yards per carry; Maryland opponents are averaging 14.9 yards per punt return;
Maryland opponents are converting 42% of third down opportunities compared to only 34% for the
Terps offense. Maryland is ranked 102nd in total offense and 83rd in total defense. The fact
that Maryland is 8-2 with these numbers is a miracle. Last week, Maryland defeated Miami 14-13
despite gaining only six first downs the entire game. Maryland's two touchdowns accounted for
161 yards. They gained only 97 yards on all of the other plays combined. Of course, this does
not in any way imply that this will be an easy victory for BC. The Terps have shown they are
capable of making big plays (two TD passes of 65 and 96 yards last week) and BC has shown that
they are capable of giving up big plays (two TDs of 46 and 81 yards against Wake).
If the Eagles do not shoot themselves in the collective foot, they should win this game
going away. The BC defense has been getting better and better (opponents are averaging just
226 yards per game in the last six) and the offense has moved the ball. Unforunately, the
Eagles are 8-2 and not 10-0 because of turnovers, penalties and missed field goals on the
offensive side of the ball and penalties and big plays by the opposition on the defensive side
of the ball. Maryland is not a great team, but they are opportunistic and will take advantage
of BC miscues. I predicted BC victories over NC State and Wake Forest and losses to Clemson,
Virginia Tech and Florida State. In the interest of karma, I am going with Maryland.
Prediction: Maryland 2 BC 0
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Maryland by the Numbers
Maryland has been outscored by their opponents
this year by 22 total points.
The Maryland defense has given up 4.6 yards per
carry this season.
Maryland opponents have converted 42% of their
third down opportunities this season. Maryland is at 34%.
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Statistic |
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Offense - Run |
76 |
81 |
Offense - Pass |
21 |
89 |
Offense - Total |
37 |
102 |
Defense - Run |
18 |
101 |
Defense - Pass |
73 |
53 |
Defense - Tot |
38 |
83 |
Offensive Lines |
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Avg Height |
6'4" |
6'5" |
Avg Weight |
306 |
323 |
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