Skinny - Like Penn State a year before, Boston College fans were given devastating news about a star linebacker. Unlike Penn State linebacker Sean Lee, Mark Herzlich faced a much more severe circumstance. Herzlich is facing cancer and his presence will be severely missed by fans and coaches alike in Chestnut Hill. Boston College had a solid defense last season and were very tough against the run. They pitched two shut outs including Notre Dame and Golden Tate. Chris Cane began the season as starter last season, but gave way to freshman Dominique Davis by season's end. Davis flashed signs of potential last season, but also seemed lost at times, especially in defeats to Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt. Montel Harris and Josh Haden add a great 1-2 punch on offense and Rich Gunnell heads a solid receiver corps. The defense returns 6 starters from last season (but Herzlich won't be there) and should be solid despite some considerable personnel losses. The schedule is manageable, but a new coach and a raw quarterback could hold back the team.
Strength - Secondary
Roderick Rollins, Donnie Fletcher, and DeLeon Gause are a solid bunch at corner and should be flanked by a proven veteran in Wes Davis at free safety and Marcellus Bowman at strong safety. The unit was 18th in pass defense last season and are relatively the same bunch of guys. Boston College was only +3 in turnover margin, but that was not due to a lack of interceptions. Boston College had 26 picks last season but twelve are lost with Paul Anderson and Mark Herzlich. The corners and safeties will have to contribute more this season to that total, but the returners had a solid amount last season.
Weakness - Quarterback
Dominique Davis was less than stellar in his starts last season. He could be handed the benefit of the doubt for being a freshman, but he just looked lost at times. He threw under 50% of his passes for completions last season and had an okay 6-4 ratio. He wasn't a fear on the ground last season only averaging 1.1 ypc last season. Justin Tuggle will provide competition to Davis in camp, as Tuggle fits offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill's system a lot better being a more mobile quarterback. Davis has talent around him and he needs to utilize it or he'll find himself in the same position he was before Crane's injury last season.
Key Game - 9/26/09 Wake Forest
Boston College plays a home game against Wake early in the season after a tough game in Death Valley. Boston College won't want to find themselves in the 0-2 hole to start conference play and they match up pretty similarly to Wake Forest. Winning this game would be important as the next three games include Florida State, Virginia Tech, and NC State, who are all title contenders. Boston College may be projected 5th in the division, but this conference is wide open and they could easily find themselves near the top of the conference and repeat last season's championship game performance if they can find a quarterback.
Key Player - Dominick LeGrande
If you asked LeGrande last winter if he expected to start this season, he probably would have of thought it was possible. If you told him it was in Herzlich's slot and not the other outside linebacker spot, he probably would have been baffled. LeGrande is just a sophomore and had 9 tackles as a true freshman. His second year in the system will be greatly important in terms of team success. Mike McLaughlin will be the leader of the linebackers if he's 100 percent, but if he's not LeGrande could quickly become the needed leader of a young linebacking corps.
Impact Freshman - Andre Lawrence
Predicted ACC finish - 5th (Atlantic)
Top 5 Players
1. OL Anthony Castonzo
2. LB Mike McLaughlin
3. OL Matt Tennant
4. FS Wes Davis
5. RB Montell Harris
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