Kickoff: The 2023 BC season ends on Thursday morning in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park against a very good SMU team. The Eagles can get to seven wins for the first time in a long time, but they enter this one as double-digit underdogs to the Mustangs.
1st Down: It’s an intriguing quarterback matchup between SMU’s Preston Stone and Thomas Castellanos. Stone has thrown for 3,197 yards and 28 TD’s with just six picks. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Castellanos has thrown for 2,146 yards and 15 TD’s with 13 picks, but he’s ran for a team-high 957 yards and 11 TD’s. If there weather is as predicted, Castellanos may have the advantage with his legs, but the Eagles’ defense will have his hands full with this SMU passing attack.
2nd Down: Stone’s biggest target is RJ Maryland who has 34 catches for 519 yards and seven TD’s. BC’s top guy has been Lewis Bond with 48 grabs, 611 yards and seven TD’s. Both QB’s definitely rely on those top guys more than anyone else, but they’re also willing to spread the ball out – mostly out of necessity. The lack of a true standout No. 1 receiver for both squads as far as gaudy numbers goes makes for an interesting matchup for both secondaries.
3rd Down: At times this year BC’s ground game was one of the best in the country and it should be an advantage for the Eagles on Thursday morning. Jaylan Knighton is the top ball carrier for SMU with 128 carries, 720 yards and seven TD’s. As stated above, it’s the QB for BC who leads the rushing attack, but Key Robichaux has established himself as one of the better backs in the ACC. Robichaux has 150 carries, 691 yards and seven TD’s. It’ll be interesting to see if Alex Broome plays a big role in this one too, especially if there is in fact inclement weather and BC needs to crush clock while trying to keep the SMU offense off the field.
4th Down: The red zone could be the biggest determining factor of who wins this game – this goes without saying in most matchups – but the Mustangs are ranked 29th in team defense when it comes to red zone efficiency. BC’s offense is 46th in the country in red zone offense. If and when BC does get into the red area, field goals may not cut it. Castellanos is going to have to get the team into the end zone when possible, a task easier said than done against this strong SMU unit.
Extra Point: If you’ve never seen a game at Fenway, be prepared to be confused a bit as the teams share the same sideline in front of the Green Monster. One end zone ends up going right up against the bullpens in right field too, so if a receiver can’t slow down in time while on a dead sprint, you may get a bit of a reenactment of the Torii Hunter/Boston cop flip in the 2013 ALCS. If you’ve never been to Fenway for a football game in person, unique is probably the best way to explain it. It certainly isn’t a great spot for a game, but definitely one of those ‘I’ve got to see it at least once’ type of things.
Final Drive: It’s been a roller coaster season for BC, but a win on Thursday could go a long way into building serious momentum before spring ball in just a few months. BC has already been very active in the portal, but those guys obviously can’t help now. This group of older players has had some bad luck with bowl games in terms of weather and Covid, so they’re fired up to actually get a game in this week. Hafley’s job is obviously safe for at least a year too, so it’s a chance for him and the staff to end on a high note and show that their messaging and approach is in fact working, it’s just taking much longer than most fans would have liked.
Prediction: I think BC keeps it close until the fourth quarter when SMU’s offense pulls away. Taking the Mustangs 31-17.