Wake Forest’s last visit to Chestnut Hill resulted in a thrilling 3-0 Demon Deacon victory as a Mike Weaver 25-yard field goal and a fourth quarter defensive stand prevented Boston College from succeeding in what was ultimately its only real opportunity of obtaining an ACC win for the 2015 season.
Since then, both programs have developed at similar rates, with both reaching bowl games in 2016 after an absence from the post season in recent years.
Dating back to last season, the Eagles are on a four-game winning streak — including a 17-14 victory in Winston-Salem in last year’s regular season finale.
Like Wake Forest, Boston College is trying to build from an impressive bowl victory of its own last year.
Boston College edged out Maryland 36-30 on Dec. 26 in the Quick Lane Bowl despite dominating the first half of the contest, where the Eagles led 29-13 and handled the Terrapins with 238 yeards.
Similarly Wake Forest put up significant offensive numbers in the first half of its respective bowl victory. The Deacs scored 31 points in the game’s first 30 minutes, despite scoring just three in the seconde half.
Saturday’s contest at Boston College should be quite competitve, on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
The Eagles opened as two to three point favorites and various betting websites have the game’s over/under set at 43, the lowest of any game in college football this week.
Expect a combined score greater than three, which was the total in 2015, and go even further and expect the two offenses to combine for more than the predicted 43.
In recent years, the two programs have brought the most out of the other’s defenses, due large in part to poor offensive play. However, Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown — the first freshman to start for the Eagles since 2009 — showcased impressive composure in last week’s opener, leading the game-winning drive in last week’s game against Northern Illinois.
The Eagles will likely throw the ball a lot, but expect the Deacs to come away with at least one interception.
Brown, while capable at making tough throws, seemed to miss wide-open receievers on more than one occasion against the Huskies.
My prediction is that Wake Forest will travel to Boston College and leave with its first ACC victory of the season. The Deacs will win the turnover battle and senior John Wolford will build off his four touchdown performance in week one.
Prediction: Wake Forest 30, Boston College 20.
