12.25.2009

On the Docket - Emerald Bowl: Boston College (8-4) vs. USC (8-4)

Synopsis:

You can’t find a game in the country this season pitting two teams with more polar opposite expectations/results of their respective seasons. USC is the dynastic program of the decade, winning seven straight conference titles and churning out NFL prospects annually.

Boston College, on the other hand, lost two linebackers, one of them to cancer, its quarterback and head coach in the off-season, leaving many skeptics wondering if this team could win more than a couple games.

Instead, head coach Frank Spaziani and his team rallied around the inspirational story of Mark Herzlich, who was diagnosed, battled, and eventually defeated cancer all in the past year. The Eagles were one game away from the third straight ACC title game appearance, but that doesn’t damper the success of this team in the least.

Player to watch: David Shinksie is the Eagles’ 25-year-old quarterback who spent more than five years playing minor league baseball. The rust was apparent much of the year, as the better defenses in the ACC abused the elder statesmen of the league. USC has little motivation to be playing in this game, but their defense is still one of the best Shinskie will see all season. How he responds to that will be the pivotal factor of the game.

Who has the edge? On paper, USC wins this game running away. But the Eagles have shown this season just how little the phrase “on paper” really means. USC has shown down the stretch that it is national championship or bust for that program, so its hard to believe there is any life left in this team.

Prediction:

Boston College 17 USC 14

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