The line for the Louisville at Boston College pick seems a bit strange as oddsmakers have the Golden Eagles as just -1 favorites Saturday at Chestnut Hill. BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec did leave against Notre Dame with an injured shoulder, but he’s set to go vs. Louisville. The Eagles looked fairly good last week vs. the #2 team in the country as well.
Louisville does come into this game with momentum after a 30-0 win last week, but that was also against 1-8 Syracuse. Cardinals QB Malik Cunningham also threw his 10th and 11th INTs of the season vs. the Orange, and will be up against the BC defense which has forced 17 turnovers, 2nd most in the country.
What to Take From Louisville’s Win Last Week?
A win is a win in this awkward college football season, and Louisville will take last week’s 30-0 win over the Orange even if it was against an inferior opponent. Syracuse has the worst offense and the 4th worst defense in the ACC, but Louisville did their part even covering the -19.5 spread.
Is last week’s showing really why the line is just BC -1 heading into the Louisville at Boston College pick however? The Cardinals are 0-4 on the road this season, but have played well in a 3-point loss at Pittsburgh and a 5-point defeat at Notre Dame however. The last time the Cardinals went on the road they lost 31-17 at Virginia however as +6.5 underdogs.
Then again despite the loss, Louisville racked up 317 yards on the ground vs. the Cavaliers #4 ranked rush defense in the ACC. The Cardinals dominated Syracuse, but Boston College only beat the Orange 16-13 in their meeting a couple weeks ago, albeit on the road.
Plenty at Stake for the Eagles
The 31-45 home loss to Notre Dame last week was disappointing, even if the Eagles were a +13 point underdog anyways. There’s still a lot of positives to take out of Jeff Hafley’s first year with Boston College including the fact that the Eagles can become bowl eligible with a win and are gearing down on their most ACC wins in a decade.
BC also showed a lot of fight against Notre Dame, the#2 team in the country. Phil Jurkovec threw for 272 yards and 2 TD vs. his former team, and added another 34 on the ground. Boston College also forced 3 fumbles against one of the better offenses in the country.
Three of Boston College’s four losses this season have come against ranked teams which also includes 34-28 at #4 Clemson and 26-22 against #25 North Carolina. Boston College had the Tigers on the ropes with a 28-13 halftime lead but couldn’t close things out. BC also held the Tar Heels’ #1 ranked offense in the ACC to just 225 yards passing.
Free Louisville at Boston College Pick
Louisville is a very underrated 3-6 squad considering they have the 6th best offense and 4th best defense in the ACC, including the top pass defense. Boston College has very little balance on offense, and in fact are the 2nd worst rushing team in the conference.
We don’t know a lot about Louisville because they’ve played tomato cans like Florida State and Syracuse over the last month. 300+ yards rushing vs. Virginia and 350+ vs. Virginia Tech are impressive, You just can’t trust Cunningham to not turn the ball over though (6 the last three games) which becomes costly in a close game.
Louisville 23 – Boston College 26
Free Pick: Boston College -1
Free Pick: Under 55.5
