Need evidence of the health of the Boston College program? Try four consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history, three consecutive bowl wins, 32 wins in the past four years, strong recruiting classes and solid leadership.
Things certainly continue to look up for Tom O'Brien and his Boston College football program. The Eagles have not become national challengers, but they have resurrected a program that was left for dead by a gambling scandal in the mid-1990s. O'Brien, a longtime Virginia assistant, was hired to restore discipline and a winning tradition. That is exactly what he has done.
O'Brien is confident his program is making further strides and moving closer to the upper echelon of the Big East.
"With last year's class and this year's class, hopefully we're moving closer to the day where we can win a [Big East] championship," O'Brien said on national signing day. "We're in homes of players [of a] much higher caliber than we were four or five years ago."
Winning will do that.
This is now Year Seven of the O'Brien Era at The Heights, and it brings with it a series of new challenges: There will be a rookie quarterback, the offensive line isn't the sure thing it has been, and there have been two changes on the coaching staff, marking the first turnover of the century.
OFFENSIVE KEYS:
Junior Quinton Porter is in line to succeed Brian St. Pierre, a two-year starter who threw for close to 3,000 yards last season. Throughout the latter stages of the 2002 season, St. Pierre often said Porter would be able to step in and not miss a beat. O'Brien also expressed confidence in the kid who had thrown just 20 college passes.
Still, the Eagles went out and signed Paul Peterson, a first-team junior college All-American from Snow College in Utah. Peterson, who is 22 and has completed a two-year LDS Church mission, threw for more than 2,900 yards last fall and tossed 35 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions.
Porter and Peterson will battle for the starting assignment during preseason camp.
Few questions exist at running back. Last season, Derrick Knight recorded the fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season by a Boston College back. Key backup Brandon Brokaw quit the team to focus on academics, and his loss will hurt. Former defensive back Jeff Ross ran the ball well during the spring.
Grant Adams and Joel Hazard head a talented group of young wide receivers. Tight end Sean Ryan was a second-team All-Big East pick in 2002.
DEFENSIVE KEYS:
Last year's defense was hammered by injuries. Antonio Garay, Doug Goodwin, Peter Shean and freshman Ricky Brown all missed time. With the exception of Garay, they are all back.
Finding a replacement for Vinny Ciurciu at middle linebacker is a top priority. Brown will enter the fall atop the depth chart, but he will be challenged by Ray Henderson. The Eagles are set at outside linebacker. Both Josh Ott and Brian Flores are coming off solid seasons.
Three of the four defensive backs are gone, but better players, led by sophomore Will Blackmon, are coming in behind them.
Despite Garay's loss, the Eagles have plenty of talent and depth on the defensive line. Goodwin should emerge as one of the Big East's better defensive players.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
A healthy Sandro Sciortino gives the Eagles a strong kicker. But health has been an issue with the Canadian import, who is vital to this year's success. The loss of steady punter Kevin McMyler could hurt.
Blackmon (kickoffs) and Adams (punts) give the Eagles two explosive return men.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
Boston College would love to be playing for the conference title, but this program isn't quite ready for that.
The key to the season could be the quarterback position. The Eagles will have an unproven signal-caller playing behind an offensive line that must replace three starters. The defense, which is still looking for a starting middle linebacker -- Brown is the favorite -- should be the strongest and most athletic this program has had. The strength should be the defensive front.
The schedule appears to be difficult. The opener against Wake Forest will be tougher than most expect, and the short trip to UConn could be tricky. They might have to sweat a bit, but it looks like another postseason appearance for the Eagles.
• Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
 |
To purchase the 2003 College Football Preview from Athlon Sports, click here. |
