CFB – Boston College at Virginia Tech (7:45 PM ET – ESPN)

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2007-10-25

Boston College is off to best start since 1942 when they began season 8-0. Coach Jeff Jagodzinski focus is on Virginia Tech and winning the ACC Atlantic and letting others worry about BCS rankings. "I tell you what, we're talking at the end of the year, I'd say, OK, we've got something going,' " Jagodzinski said talking about his team’s 7-0 start. What makes the Eagles so tough is an offense with NFL-like diversity, led by senior and Heisman candidate Matt Ryan. Boston College is averaging 455.4 yards total offense behind Ryan, which is 16th in the country. Ryan has completed 63.2 percent of his passes and has tossed 17 touchdowns to remarkably seven different receivers.

Jagodzinski left the defense in the good hands of DC Frank Spaziani and is he glad he did. The Eagles are crushing opponents rushing attacks, leading the nation is holding them to a mere 46.4 per game and 1.8 yards per attempt. The defense does give up passing yards in part because running against B.C. is almost pointless. However, continued attempts throwing at CB DuJuan Tribble and others have led to the Eagles picking a nation’s best 18 pass attempts. Boston College has enjoyed little success in Blackburg with 2-7 record, thou backers have at least walked away with cash on 6-2-1 ATS record.

Virginia Tech coaches have a rough decision to make, start freshman QB Tyrod Taylor, who is coming off high ankle sprain against Duke or go with what appears to be a revitalized former starter in junior Sean Glennon. After real struggling early in the season, Glennon was decisive and showed more the poise against the Blue Devils in 43-14 rout, in leading the Hokies to second highest offensive output. Running back Brandon Ore has received a great deal of the blame for the Hokies failures in being 93rd in the country in rushing, when the fact of the matter is the offensive line has been a huge disappointment, giving Ore no holes to run and quarterbacks no time to throw. Even with a pair of victories, the Hokies are 5-16 ATS off two consecutive wins by 10 points or more against conference rivals.

Virginia Tech has enjoyed one of the largest home field advantages in the country for years, with most oddsmakers calculating five to six points for Hokies in contests held at Lane Stadium. Sportsbook.com has Virginia Tech as 3-point favorites with a total of 43.5. The Eagles have a decided edge at quarterback with Ryan, no matter who starts for the Hokies. Public sentiment will favor Virginia Tech since they 8-1 SU and ATS on Thursday night games winning by an average of 22 PPG, nevertheless they are just 1-4-1 ATS in last six hosting the Eagles.

It’s worth noting the Boston College is 8-1 ATS as a road underdog, which includes 34-27 outright upset as 15-point underdog in 2003. Watch to see if Boston College goes after CB Brandon Flowers, since nobody else has. LB Xavier Adibi is still on a tear and having monster season, he’ll have impact in ACC showdown.

System players should be alerted to Play On a home team after two or more consecutive straight up wins, when playing on a Thursday. This simple system is 12-3, 80 percent the last three years.

Superb night for remote control, with this ACC challenge and World Series Game 2 overlapping. ESPN will provide the coverage beginning at 7:45 Eastern.


StatFox Forecaster –Boston College covers
StatFox Power Line – Virginia Tech by 5
StatFox OutPlay Factor – Boston College by 2