BOSTON COLLEGE
Record: 1-5, 0-3
The season has not exactly gotten off the way the Eagles wanted, and now the heat on coach Frank Spaziani's seat is rising. Boston College has zero wins against FBS competition this season and is one of two teams winless in ACC play. New athletic director Brad Bates will have plenty to ponder this offseason.
What is probably most disappointing for Eagles faithful is this team has been in nearly every game it has played. Throw out the Florida State game, and the Eagles held leads in all of their other losses. They had their chances to beat Miami, Northwestern and Army, but they simply failed to capitalize on opportunities. Army was winless when the two teams met and found a way to win, scoring the winning touchdown with 45 seconds remaining.
The running game has struggled to gain any consistency, and has been hampered because of several injuries. The defense has had a hard time making critical stops. Boston College ranks No. 115 in the nation in total defense, No. 117 in rushing defense and No. 96 in scoring defense, and has given up 40 or more points three times in six games.
About the lone bright spot has been the play of the passing game, with Chase Rettig really thriving in the system new coordinator Doug Martin has installed. Rettig is averaging 275.5 yards passing a game, fourth in the ACC. While some of that may be a function of 1) having to shoulder the load and 2) trailing late in games, Rettig has been improved. He also has had some help from receiver Alex Amidon, averaging 114.7 yards a game, second in the ACC.
Offensive MVP: Rettig. He has kept the Eagles in games with his performances, and is on his way toward surpassing his career highs for passing yards (1,960), touchdowns (13) and completion percentage (53.6) -- all set last season. Right now, Rettig has 1,648 yards passing, 11 touchdowns, four interceptions and is completing 56 percent of his passes.
Defensive MVP: Nick Clancy, LB. Clancy leads the ACC in tackles with 73 and has been the most consistent player on the defense. He has filled in for Luke Kuechly in the middle, after playing outside linebacker prior to this season. Teammates Kevin Pierre-Louis and Steele Divitto are right behind him.