CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Boston College preview

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Boston College Eagles

Impressive, but can they stop anyone?

College Football: The New Century

'99: 8-4, 4-3 Big East

Coach

Tom O'Brien (fourth season, 16-18)

Key offensive players

Tim Hasselbeck, QB, Sr.
Hasselbeck, one of the famous New England brood, must prove he is recovered from postseason groin surgery.

Cedric Washington, RB, Sr.
Running behind a veteran offensive line, Washington, an All-Big East performer, should once again rush for 1,000-plus yards.

Paul Zukauskas, RG, Sr.
At 6-6, 318 pounds, Zukauskas is an impressive guard among an impressive lot of offensive linemen.

Key defensive players

Antonio Garay, DT, Jr.
Garay, who had 10 tackles against Virginia Tech last season, will have to hold together a defensive line that lost, among others, Chris Hovan.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Doug Flutie, QB, 1981-84
"Has anyone ever been more exciting?"

Brightest Moment: Undoubtedly, the brightest moment for B.C. was Flutie's 1984 "Hail Mary" pass to Gerard Phelan that pushed the Eagles past Miami 47-45 and Flutie to the Heisman Trophy.

Lowest Moment: The 1996 gambling scandal that rocked B.C. athletics. Eagles football players were accused of shaving points and betting on their own games. Coach Dan Henning left shortly thereafter.

Ryan Burch, LB, Sr.
O'Brien moved Burch, last season's fullback, back to his original middle linebacker slot to bolster the defense's front seven.

Key newcomer

Sandro Sciortino, K, Fr.
Never mind the Moosehead, O'Brien went to Canada for help on field goals and kickoffs.

Throwback player

J.P. Camello, a redshirt freshman taking over at fullback, is as down-to-earth as they come. And if you come near Camello, you're the one who'll be down to earth.

21st csentury player

William Green, who took an opportunity to show off against Virginia Tech last season. The sophomore's speed and power will be showcased more this season.

Fast fact

The Eagles' eight wins last year were the most since recording nine during the 1993 season.

Outlook

Offensively, Boston College should be in terrific shape -- if, that is, Hasselbeck is fully recovered from groin surgery. The O-line may have lost its best player in Darnell Alford, but the group still may be the best in the Big East. The smallest player is Paul LaQuerre at 6-3, 291 pounds. In the backfield, Washington gets most of the ink, but watch for tailback William Green, a true sophomore, to make a splash. On defense is where the Eagles are most vulnerable. O'Brien has to go with youth to replace both defensive ends and a tackle. Also, the secondary, despite the presence of terrific cover man Jonathan Ordway, is suspect. It surrendered 242 yards per game last season.

-- Mitch Vingle