Boston College 10-3 (6-2), 1st Atlantic Coast - Atlantic
vs
Michigan State 7-5 (3-5), 7th Big Ten
December 28, 5:00pm, ESPN
It was only a few weeks ago that the Boston College Eagles were playing in the ACC Championship, now one loss later they are stuck in the Champs Sports Bowl against a team that did not even win half of its conference games. On the surface this looks like it should be an easy Eagles blowout, but looking at it closer, Michigan State can give Boston College a good game. If you don't believe me just ask
The Enlightened Spartan. The Spartans might have only won 3 games in the Big Ten, but they took Michigan to the wire, lost by 7 to Ohio State, and lost in overtime to both Iowa and Northwestern. A break or two goes their way and they are looking at a 9 or 10 win season.
Before we get too excited, tooting the Spartans' horn, we have to inform you of the bad news. Five Spartans, including defensive standouts Jonal Saint-Dic and SirDarean Adams are not going to play in the Champs Sports Bowl because of academic or other violations. For Michigan State to win it is pretty simple, they must keep the ball out of Matt Ryan's hands, and they have the perfect duo to do just that. Their two running backs Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick have combined for over 2100 yards on the ground and 27 touchdowns. Quarterback Brian Hoyer is steady and has a quality receiver in Devin Thomas to get the passing game clicking. Defensively they must make Ryan hurry his throws and they were 12th in the country getting 3 sacks per game. The Spartans give up around 220 yards per game in the air and 24 points per game.
Boston College twice had its own destiny in its hands. First they lost to Florida State while ranked #2 in the country, then they lost to Virginia Tech in the ACC Title game. Now Matt Ryan must motivate this team to play in a bowl game. Once a Heisman candidate, Ryan has thrown for 4258 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. The Eagles use short swing passes to Andre Callender as their running game. Callender, along with receivers Rich Gunnell and Brandon Robinson make up over half of the Eagles' receiving offense. But you cannot just focus on them, because Ryan is known to spread the ball around. The Eagles ranked #1 in the country in rushing defense giving up only 68 yards per game. The Spartans duo will give them one of their best tests this season.
This game has all the makings for a let down for the Eagles and a momentum builder into 2008 for the Michigan State Spartans. The two teams have their strengths in BC's rushing defense going and the Spartans' Ringer and Caulcrick going head to head against each other. I expect Boston College to come out a little sluggish, but Michigan State will miss the two guys on defense to put pressure on Matt Ryan. I really like this Spartan team, but I think the fall just short in the game, like many others this season. Matt Ryan is an experienced QB that is calm under pressure. He'll lead the Eagles to their NCAA leading ninth straight bowl victory.
Boston College 28 Michigan State 20
Picking Boston College to Win (87.5%)
ITB Brian Sakowski, Bastard Sons of Pinfall Marks, Corn Nation, Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician, Kansas It's Business Time, ITB Charlie Swager, Sportsbone TV, MizzouRAH, The LSC Scoop, Football Frontier, Rizzo Sports, Pitch Right, ITB Ron Juckett, MidWest Coast Bias, Sunny Verma. Lorena The Dodgerchick, Jason Stiver, Cyril Tircuit, Pete Boivin, Rodney Polston, Greg Gowins, Jeff Brancolini, Lou Nemec, Matt Kieta, Brian Isaacson, Brant Chruscial, Logan Jaffe, Richard Dixon
Picking Michigan State to Win (12.5%)
The Enlightened Spartan, Mrs Corn Nation, Timmy B, Dan Schoonover
