After its best performance thus far, NC State’s defense faces a dangerous offense in Boston College as Heisman contender A.J. Dillon leads the Eagles into Raleigh. Let’s take a look at each part of BC’s offense.
BC offensive line vs NC State defensive line
Boston College boasts the best O-line in the ACC, lead by Outland Trophy Watch List selection right guard senior Chris Lindstrom. The Eagles’ line is a huge part of why Boston College is third in the ACC with 243.4 rush yards per game. They excel at getting to the second level of the defense and allowing Dillon to get one-on-one with a safety.
For NC State, its defense depends on interior play as well. At defensive tackle, redshirt junior Larrell Murchison and senior Eurndraus Bryant have their work cut out for them this week. Simply put, their job is to win the line of scrimmage for the Wolfpack. At defensive end, senior Darian Roseboro and redshirt junior James Smith-Williams must get upfield and contain the ball carrier.
If NC State’s defensive line can keep the running game contained and win the line of scrimmage, Boston College’s offense will sputter.
BC backs and tight ends vs NC State safeties and linebackers
The star of the show for the Eagles is sophomore running back A.J. Dillon. Dillon is fifth in the nation with 130 rushing yards per game. The star running back was dinged up against Temple last week with an ankle injury. If he can’t go this week, redshirt junior wide receiver/running back Ben Glines will take his place. Glines rushed 23 times for 120 yards after Dillon was injured.
Boston College uses senior fullback Colton Cardinal in the I formation. At tight end, the Eagles utilize redshirt junior Chris Garrison primarily as a run blocker. However, graduate Tommy Sweeney, an All-ACC third team selection last year, is dangerous as a pass catcher. He’s their third leading receiver with 11 receptions for 110 yards and 3 TDs.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Isaiah Moore will likely be charged with taking on Cardinal while graduate linebacker Germaine Pratt will be charged with stopping the ball carrier. Pratt, who averages 9 stops a game, will need to take Dillon down consistently. State’s linebackers have had trouble this year finishing tackles, and the key to stopping Dillon is limiting his yards after contact.
At safety, redshirt senior Dexter Wright will have his coverage skills tested as well as his tackling. Wright will most likely cover Sweeney when he goes out for a pass, and he has been brought into the box at times as a third linebacker when the Wolfpack switches to a 4-3 for short distance situations. Redshirt junior strong safety Jarius Morehead will need to stay disciplined as the deep back as he reads pass or run and reacts accordingly.
BC quarterback and wide receivers vs NC State defensive backs
NC State’s cornerbacks will be going up against redshirt sophomore receiver Kobay White and senior receiver Jeff Smith. White and Smith are targeted pretty evenly, as White has 11 catches for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns while Smith has 12 catches for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Eagles’ passing game works primarily off play action. They throw the football to keep the defense honest.
Junior cornerback Nick McCloud and sophomore cornerback Chris Ingram are aggressive, engaging in press coverage more and more each week. They are often put on an island with either no safety help or one deep safety. Against a powerful rushing attack from Boston College, expect Ingram and McCloud to work on their own for most of the day.
Freshman corner Tanner Ingle plays the nickelback for NC State, and since BC often doesn’t use a third receiver he will spend the lion’s share of his time in run support, his strongest area. Expect a few highlight-reel hits from Ingle as he tries to lay the boom, but don’t be surprised if his tendency to forget to wrap up gives up a long run.
NC State’s game plan against redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Brown will be to force the ball into his hands. Brown’s performance thus far has been lackluster, going 61/108 (56.5% completion percentage) for 861 yards with 12 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Brown is an unimpressive thrower with accuracy issues, so McCloud and Ingram will look to take advantage of that and extend NC State’s streak of games with multiple interceptions to three.
