BC LEAVES BOISE STATE FEELING BLUE

I know, Boston College let up BIG TIME in the 2nd half and let the Broncos of Boise State get back into it. However, they ended the game on a big interception and were the first team to wlak off the blue field as winners against Boise State in 31 games. THAT is an achievement. To go out and win a bowl game that is essentially a road game is an achievement. The Eagles did it last year in North Carolina, and they did it this year in Idaho. The Eagles also extended their bowl winning streak to 7, the highest active streak in the nation. Maybe next year, when it comes to Bowl Selection day, the Eagles will get a bowl game in a warm climate, with an historic name, and in a neutral location.

Unfortunately, the national attention for college sports will be falling on the Alamo Bowl between Michigan and Nebraska, two of the biggest programs in the country. The wild ending to that game couple with the upset of ranked Michigan by unranked Nebraska, coupled with the resurgence of Nebraska's program under Callahan will probably dwarf any recognition Boston College will get tomorrow. Maybe next year BC will get a prime time bowl.

I particularly enjoyed this victory because I don't really like Dan Hawkins (BSU's head coach for the game, now Colorodo's head coach) style of football. This whole "riverboat gambler" "play to win" risky style of his works when you're team is much more talented than the other team. You may screw up and not convert on a 4th and 4, but you'll get another chance soon enough. But against teams on a similar level of talent, like BC, it doesn't work. Maybe that's why Hawkins had a 2-6 record against teams in BCS conferences when he was at Boise State.

The Broncos had an opportunity to kick a field goal when it was 27-0 in the early stages of the 3rd quarter. They elected to go for it on 4th and 4 and were stopped short. Had they kicked a field goal and the game played out the same way, they could have kicked a field goal to tie the game in the 4th quarter instead of desperately tossing the ball into coverage in the end zone. Could you imagine Bill Bellichick being described as "a river-boat gambler?" But he's reached heights that most coaches can only dream about.

Boston College will probably pass #20 Michigan in the final BCS rankings as they lost to Nebraska 32-28. When Virginia Tech beats Louisville, BC should move up again. Every other team will probably stay ahead of BC. They should finish within the top 20 though which is pretty good for some "soft East Coast team."