Notre Dame at Boston College: Opposition Research with BC Interruption

We always have a good time chatting with our SBNation Boston College counterparts over at BC Interruption.  I asked them a few questions about this year's Eagles team and Saturday night's game.  Their answers are below.

1) I imagine we have to start with the quarterback situation.  Dave Shinskie is out; can you tell us about the two guys vying to replace him?  I have nightmares of the freshman Chase Rettig starting and besting the Irish in the most dramatic way imaginable, but as one of my friends put it, "If this guy couldn't beat out Shinskie, how good could he be?"  I'm going to stay cautious.  What should we expect from the Eagle quarterback, whoever it may be?

Jeff: Well, Chase Rettig didn't honestly have the opportunity to beat out Shinskie. The coaching staff was planning on redshirting him all the way this year. That statement applies much more to Mike Marscovetra. Even though Shinskie had the leg up by being the incumbent and originally being recruited as the expected starter for Coach Spaz, Marscovetra clearly never blatantly outperformed Shinskie on a regular basis in practice and scrimmages to get some more playing time. Expect Rettig to start and if he can keep his nerves in check expect him to make some plays since your defense will be playing run just like everyone else has been the last two seasons.  

2) Montel Harris is the workhorse, who after struggling against Kent State went for 111 yards on 19 carries against the Hokies.  With a new quarterback, I imagine BC is going to be leaning on the run game.  Do you have faith in that strategy?

Brian: Montel actually didn't struggle as much as you would think against Kent State if you just look at the box score. His struggles that day could be more attributed to some poor offensive line play more than anything else. The poor offensive line play has been totally vexing to us as it has been consistent inconsistency from a very talented group of linemen.

Harris' 80 yards (2.8 yards per carry) against Kent State were all him, as the offensive line didn't do a great job opening up holes for Harris to run through. Harris built on the Kent State game with a very good performance against Virginia Tech. He did a better job finding the holes and gaining those few extra yards.

Despite their early season struggles, Virginia Tech's defense has been much more stout against the run than Notre Dame. I have faith that Montel Harris will again have a good day rushing, despite the Eagles QB starting down the learning curve.

3)  Is there a big play wide receiver or third down back speedster the Irish should be particularly concerned about?

Brian: I don't know if I could put my finger on one big play wide receiver as the Eagles receiving corps is still very inexperienced. Tight end Chris Pantale is probably the closest BC comes to a big play wide receiver as he's usually reliable and sure-handed. WR Ifeanyi Momah is a BIG target with good hands and there are a couple of young guys - Johnathan Coleman and Bobby Swigert - that have the potential to have breakout years in their first years.

Arguably the WR with the most speed is sophomore Clyde Lee, who gets the start this week atop the Eagles' two-deep roster. He's a burner.

4) Boston College has given up seven sacks in only three games.  Your tackles are hulking, but is there a lack of speed costing the team in regards to protection?  If Notre Dame brings blitzers out of the 3-4, are they going to have a lot of, some or limited success?

Brian: I don't think it's a lack of speed that's costing the team in protection. The offensive line just looks lost. I think that can be solved with coaching, as the offensive line is way too talented to have turned in the performances they have through three games.

If the Eagles can't snap out of their offensive line funk in time for this weekend's game, any Notre Dame pressure will be met with some success. The key to the game will be getting to the Eagles' inexperienced signal-caller. Whoever that may be.

5) The last time Notre Dame played on Chestnut Hill, they turned the ball over roughly three dozen times and generally made fools of themselves for sixty minutes on offense.  If Luke Kuechly and the returning Mark Herzlich are patrolling the second level, how would you advocate attacking the Eagles defense?  What weaknesses could Brian Kelly's spread offense possibly expose, or are you comfortable with the matchups?

Jeff: The way to beat the Eagles is by passing the ball downfield.  Our secondary is not bad but we cannot get pressure on the quarterback without bringing linebackers.  Running the ball, frankly, is not an option. (It's early but BC's defense ranks 6^th nationally in rushing defense, giving up just 71.33 yards per game).

6)  Not really related to this game, but curious to ask: What are your thoughts on all the conference expansion?  Do you feel that Boston College improved its position by moving from the Big East to the ACC?  Wanna jump in the independent pool?

Jeff: We absolutely like the move to the ACC. The ACC gets some bad press for being an AQ conference but not having any national championship contenders the past several seasons, but look at where the Big East is now with no ranked teams. The Big East doesn't know which of their best coaches will be plucked by other schools next and who will be a member of the conference next week (let alone next season). In the ACC you know there are going to be good teams and good football programs even if some of the big names schools are having down seasons.

7) Feel comfortable making a prediction, even with the fluid quarterback situation?

Brian: Not really comfortable making a prediction on the score, but I have the feeling BC can still win this game. I think the BC defense matches up extremely well with the Irish offense and if last week's Irish struggles are any indication as to what to expect this weekend, it might be a long day for Dayne Crist and the offense.

Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if the Irish pull this one out. I'm sure Brian Kelly will be extra motivated to get the W coming home.

Casual Superfans probably don't want to hear this, but the most important thing for BC is to come out of this game with a better idea of what they have at QB for the ACC stretch run that starts next week with a road trip to N.C. State, and includes five straight Atlantic Division games.