Coming off wins over Villanova and Wake Forest, Boston College looks to get to 3-0 when they head to the Colliseum this weekend. They’ve already matched last season’s win total two weeks into the season, and could knock off their highest profile opponent to date with a W. One player spearheading BC’s improvement is senior quarterback Chase Rettig, who has career bests in completion percentage, YPA, QB rating, and TD:INT ratio so far this season.
How to watch Boston College vs. USC: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
What should you look for when the Eagles come to the Southern California?
They’ll look to upset a vulnerable USC team, which had starting quarterbacks Cody Kessler and Max Wittek combine for 54 yards passing last week, and still hasn’t settled on which of the two they prefer to start. Still, even when vulnerable, the Trojans are not lacking for talent -- they have been outstanding on the other side of the ball, ranking 11th in the country in total defense, and 19th in scoring defense under new defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.
The numbers
Rankings and records: The Trojans started conference play last week, dropping out of the Top 25 after a 10-7 loss to Washington State. Boston College currently sits atop the ACC’s Atlantic Division with a 1-0 record. USC is 3-0 against the Eagles, with their last win coming in the 2009 Emerald Bowl.
Three names to know
Lane Kiffin (USC coach) - The hot seat is officially aflame after the loss to Washington State, their first against the Cougars since 2002. The offense, Kiffin’s calling card, has struggled badly so far this season. They are just 8-7 over their past 15 games.
Marqise Lee (USC wide receiver) - you probably already know his name, but he’s being listed here because the Trojans would do well to try to get him the ball more creatively. So far this season, Lee has 15 catches for 131 yards, for an average of 8.7 yards per reception. While those numbers do show production, they are also disappointing for a player of Lee’s caliber -- his 8.7 yards per reception this season is dramatically down from last year’s 14.6, and 2011’s 15.7. It’s not all on Lee, of course. Most of this falls on the play-calling and ineptitude from Trojan quarterbacks Max Wittek and Cody Kessler.
Andre Williams (BC running back) - The nation’s third leading rusher is averaging 29 carries and 159 yards a game. He’ll meet a ferocious Trojan defense that leads the country against the run, giving up just a 10th of that number -- yes, a mind-boggling low 15 yards a game.
Two things at stake
Boston College will host freshman sensation Jameis Winston and No. 10 Florida State next week, and the Eagles would love nothing more than to be able to enter that one still undefeated in the Steve Addazio era.
At stake for the Trojans is Lane Kiffin’s job -- this may not be a must-win game for him by itself, but for Kiffin to remain at USC, they are really just looking for wins in general, and in particular, statement wins that show they are improving. Boston College will be another chance to get exactly that.
How to witness
TV: 3PM ET (12PM PT) Pac-12 Network
Further reading
For more on USC, you want Conquest Chronicles. On the other side, there’s BC Interruption.
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