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Boston College vs. Massachusetts prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Eagles and Minutemen.

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Boston College vs. Massachusetts Game Preview

The Eagles and Minutemen rekindled their rivalry in 2014, which was the first game between the teams with both being FBS members. The teams had met on an annual basis back in the 1960s and 70s. UMass has dropped eight in a row in the series, and 19 of 23 overall. Boston College opened its season in rainy Dublin against Georgia Tech, and the Eagles experienced disappointment with a 17-14 loss. Meanwhile, UMass shockingly stayed in the game with Florida in Week 1 and only lost by a 24-7 margin. It’s at least something for head coach Mark Whipple and his staff to build on.

What To Know About Boston College

The setback to Georgia Tech was yet another tough loss for Boston College and Steve Addazio, whose team had a lot of unlucky breaks last year. Once again the defense was stout, but red zone problems doomed the Eagles. Boston College held Georgia Tech’s spread-option attack to 240 yards, but the Eagles couldn’t close it out—allowing Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas to complete a 22-yard pass to Qua Searcy on a fourth-and-19 play—and have lost nine games in a row dating to last season.

What to Know About Massachusetts

Suddenly, the UMass non-conference slate doesn’t look so intimidating. After competing with Florida in the loss, the Minutemen will face two more SEC foes: Mississippi State and South Carolina. Can they knock one of those lower-tier SEC teams off? The Gators struggled along their offensive line once again, but some of that had to do with UMass not backing down on defense. And Whipple does like his defensive front.

Advantages

Offense: Even. Boston College may have a slight edge because of quarterback Patrick Towles, but this has a chance to be an ugly game.

Defense: Boston College. That unit remains nasty to play against, as Georgia Tech found out in the opener.

Special Teams: Even. Both units were unimpressive in their Week 1 efforts.

Coaching: Boston College. Addazio has had bad luck recently, but his players love competing for him.

Intangibles: UMass. The Minutemen believe they can knock off the Eagles.

Matchup To Watch

Boston College field-goal unit vs. UMass field-goal defense

Boston College had some good opportunities in the red zone against Georgia Tech, but the Eagles missed two field goals. Colton Lichtenberg had a 43-yard field goal attempt blocked in the second quarter, and he missed a 35-yarder late in the third. UMass, meanwhile, was bitten by long field goals against the Gators. Eddy Pineiro kicked three field goals, including from 49 and 48 yards in the fourth quarter. How often will the UMass defense be able to snuff out drives against the Eagles, and will Boston College be able to connect on its field goal attempts?

Boston College vs. Massachusetts Betting Odds

Spread: Boston College -17

Over/Under: 39.5

Boston College vs. Massachusetts Prediction

This is a very difficult game to project. Neither offense is explosive, so I’m deferring to the BC defense. UMass is coming off of a solid effort in The Swamp, while Boston College is very disappointed that it could not put Georgia Tech away. Towles is a legitimate ACC quarterback, though, and the plays he can make with his arm and his feet will be the difference.

Boston College vs. Massachusetts Score Prediction: Boston College 19, Massachusetts 17

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