in NCAA F Articles

BetUS NCAA football odds of +825 to win the conference. Media writers picked them to finish second in the division.

The ACC’s leading-passer from 2006, Matt Ryan, returns to lead the complicated and wide-open new offensive scheme conceived by BC’s new Head Coach (Jeff Jagodzinski and its new OC (Steve Logan). Ryan was the ultimate wounded-warrior last year, compiling 2,975 yds and 15 TD’s on a bad ankle and, ultimately, a fractured foot.

Clarence Megwa (6-1, 212; So) connected with Ryan on a 59-yard bomb for a touchdown in the opening play of the spring game. In one fell swoop, that play proved two important things: 1) Megwa can stretch a defense vertically; and, 2) the conservative and plodding philosophy of coach O’Brien was a thing of the past. Brandon Robinson (5-11, 191; Jr), whose speed was lost in O’Brien’s cloud-of-dust attack, is another bona-fide vertical threat who could just blow-up this season.

Gosder Cherilus (6-7, 318; Sr) has 37 starts at RT but will switch to the left-side to protect Ryan’s blind-side. Ty Hall (6-4, 300; Sr) will take over for newly-minted Chicago Bear, Josh Beekman, at RG. Hall has two career starts, though everybody will be starting fresh as they try to learn Jagodzinski’s zone-block-based running scheme.

On defense, the entire front seven returns intact (in fact four DE’s have starting experience). Sophomore Austin Giles (6-3, 285) is a big-bodied end who had 5.5 sacks last year in only five starts. B.J. Raji (6-1, 337; Sr) and Ron Brace (6-3, 343; Jr) can annihilate gaps and should control the middle on most snaps.

Linebacker Brian Toal’s shoulder surgery may restrict his contribution this season but MLB Jolonn Dunbar (6-0, 233) may be the team’s most valuable linebacker anyways.

At 5-9, senior CB DeJuan Tribble is not very big but he broke up five passes and picked of seven more last year in 12 starts. Jamie Silva (5-11, 208; Sr) proved adept at FS in ’06 (57 tackles, 4 INT’s). Tribble and Silva return and will aide two newcomers (SS Paul Anderson and CB Roderick Rollins) who each have a little playing experience.

The schedule-makers were not kind to the Eagles who drew Miami as their Coastal Division foes. Worse, both Tech games are on the road and BC hosts Miami in the last game of the season by which time the Canes’ new systems and starters will be well-seasoned.

 TO WIN:

COASTAL DIVISION:

Virginia Tech (Even [BetUS]; 1st – ACC Media)

Georgia Tech (+875; 2nd – ACC Media)

UVA (+700; 4th – ACC Media)

Miami (-125; 3rd – ACC Media)

UNC (+400; 5th – ACC Media)

Duke (+4500; 6th – ACC Media)

ATLANTIC DIVISION:

Florida State (-130 [BetUS]; 1st – ACC Media)

Wake Forest (+575; 4th – ACC Media)

Clemson (+215; 3rd – ACC Media)

Maryland (+700; 5th – ACC Media)

Boston College (+425; 2nd – ACC Media)

North Carolina State (+575; 6th – ACC Media)

With  Futures in our sportsbook today in the Future / props section!