I was obviously pretty apprehensive when I saw TC was out. So, spent part of my day familiarizing myself with him.

Excellent on the move, seems to process faster than TC, and seems unflappable. Probably an overall better passer than TC by a level or two particularly effective with the deep ball and deep outs. Very decisive player, sees he field, has a plan and implements it.

The biggest takeaway for me was his interviews. This is very much an adult. Doesn't carry himself or speak like a college kid. Well spoken, logical - the kind of person companies are chomping at the bit to hire. Had I not known otherwise I'd have though he was on the back end of his twenties based on how he speaks.

Of course the caveat here is that to me TC is the beating heart of this club. Such high and positive energy. Someone is going to have to step up and lead.

As many of you probably know, WK is also going with their backup QB. Their starter was 6'7 and has started for LSU and for Auburn - and at Auburn started for them in the Iron Bowl against Bama one year. Explosive arm, among the strongest I've ever seen. But a slow processor and ultimately a bad decision maker with a way less than average accuracy.

From the film I've watched the backup is better. Looks real solid to me. WKU is a fun a nifty team - but ultimately flawed as one would expect a CUSA team. to be. So, I feel like we're down a little but with TC out and they're better off with their starter out. So, makes sense to me the line would drop even with their backup QB in as well.

I feel like tomorrow we see an inside out kind of offense. Focus on running with some well-timed deep balls, outs, bootlegs, (hopefully) a lot of play pass.

I'm excited to see this matchup. Who doesn't want to see the fightin' Zappe's? WKU's offense is just fun. Someone called it the, "Pro Raid " meaning 50% Pro-Style and 50% Air Raid and this sounds about right to me. Defensively their primary set is the old 3-3-5 stack you'll remember from the Rich Rod days at WVU when they were a natty contender. I think our WR's have relatively low # of targets but a big day. I think me run on them effectively and shorten the game.

My old BC brain loathes this game. Feels like exactly the kind where we shit the bed. But I don't feel that. I feel like we handle this, maybe not in a massive score differential, but good enough to keep the mo' train running. Which brings me to my next point:

Did you all see the two clowns who do the bowl projections for USA Today left us out entirely? I'm sorry, that's not an opinion that passes muster. Hell, maybe not even an opinion but an outright oversight. You do not predict that a 3-1 without opponent pedigree today and the remaining schedule we have will end up bowl ineligible. That is horseshit.

And finally, I can't state how much I enjoy this team. These are good guys, with good energy - and they're playing well. Exactly the kind of group I always hope to see represent BC.

Treshaun Ward is a relevation in my book. Talk about an angry and efficient runner! I thoroughly enjoy watching him play. His run at the top of the 3rd against MSU was a sensation. I thought it got far less talk here and in the media than it should have. Professional level stuff there. Beast mode.

TC is an absolute delight. I have more confidence in him than I sense many here do. While his passing can be ragged at times, for me he's the beating heart of this team. A true leader. A juice guy. A dawg.

Same with Lewis Bond. Smart and tough, and his interview at the end of the MSU game was so fun and real. Such a good kid.

I could name so many now but it's a long season.

One last thought: I've been to tons of Gameday games, Fox Big Noon games, and for me, I gotta say, I thought the ACC Network did it better than both of them. I get the gripes about all the ACCN games, and totally understand the exposure thing, but I find them absolutely 1st rate and for me I'm ready to welcome that crew to the Heights anytime.

Oh, one more finally: Some of you will remember my comments when everyone was clamoring for BOB every time we had a HC vacancy. The term knuckle-dragger was used. I'm here to admit than and to say how wrong I was. Oddly, I was thrilled when he was hired. Some of that had to do with the fact that I loathed the Hafley hire and then disliked the way his teams played even more. The felt soft to me mentally and physically. It was also because my dislike of BOB was b/c he took the Ped State gig. I'm more mature than that now.

Anyway, I love this team!

Have seen posts on twitter speculating that Castellanos is out tomorrow, then Grayson James posted the Jon Snow Battle of the Bastards picture on his instagram story.

Do we think there's any credibility to this? If so, what do we think of our chances with James instead of The Italian?

(Also -- BTC approaching $66k)

Going to have at least 10x as many guys there as are listed here but here are some guys with profiles already on Rivals.

"Boston College was a stout defense, missed a few [throws], still want some of those back but stout defense, they played their hearts out, they played all four quarters, they won that game," Chiles said reacting to the loss

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Immediate thoughts/reactions up later this morning. Tried to post at 12:30 but it was all messed up again. Apologies for the delay, but I doubt anyone is sleeping anyways

PFF grades and snap counts against Michigan State with some commentary that explains some of it.

One of the better young writers on the beat Sophie Weller talked to Caedan Wallace & Dell Pettus on Monday to get their thoughts on being at the game Saturday night

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Good stuff in here. BOB comes across as just a very likeable guy. Fun interview and anecdotes, but also I think some insights into what helped create the coach he is today.

Talked to David Andrews, Pop Douglas and Tyquan Thornton about Bill on Monday. Good stuff here (should be free on the site too, let me know if it's not)

7-3 would be nice.

Good morning everyone. Looking to sell my parking pass for this weekend as I unfortunately will be unable to attend the game Saturday. The pass is for the McElroy parking area, located near the book store. Full tailgating is allowed and a short walk to the stadium. Great opportunity for family get together and to take in the full experience!

There was a 15-20 minute wait to get into the stadium at the Beacon garage gate last night. Turns out they only had one security scanner so that was the chokepoint. Even better, get into the stadium, check my rain jacket's pockets and found an unopened can of beer. 😄

Even better, it was a can of Hulk Hogan's Real American beer.

Any additional observations about the Men’s Team? Have there been scrimmages with other schools? Any thoughts on transfers or Freshmen?

The top six or seven players from last year are gone, I think most fans are pretty unclear on the team’s status. Is there anyone following this?

One of the best new traditions in college football: The Red Bandanna game. This one is For Welles, a true hero. The story has spread greater than we realize.

As far as the game. Got to pick up the pieces from last week and grab a convincing win. More teams getting knocked off. MSU is a quality team you always want to beat.

Let’s go! For Welles!

-The atmosphere on the field pregame and even before that during the Eagle Walk was fantastic. On field, it felt like a Monday Night Football game. Recruits were wrapped around from the home sideline 40 to the tunnel. Patriots players were on the field. Just awesome.

-Can't waste tonight if you're Bc atmosphere wise. If BC loses this game you lose all buzz and positivity. Lucky to get 20,000 here for WKU if it happens.

-TC needs to forget what they've told him about being a bit more of a pocket passer and just take off if the lane is there. Sacks he's taken tonight are mostly because he's looking to get the ball downfield instead of just using his legs.

-I refuse to get off my 'James is a better QB for this offense' stance. Is Tommy more athletic? Yup. Is Grayson a better fit to get the ball to guys down field? Yup. I'm not advocating for a change because it won't happen, the staff is riding or dying with him, but it's just an observation I've had since camp and I stand by it.

-Now, the problem with that is these WR's are not getting open. I may have overrated them. However, I do still think they're way too talented to be getting locked up by this MSU defense.

-I also may have overrated Tim Lewis' defense. Not the front 4 (they're still awesome), but this secondary is giving up way too many chunk plays. The linebackers aren't great in coverage either. If the rush doesn't get there when they're in zone it's a guaranteed chunk play for an opposing team.

-No one is good at tackling right now. Major issue.

-I've never seen a special teams unit this bad. Can't punt. Can't snap. Can't make PAT's. I don't know how you fix it either. It's not the weather, this has been an issue for just about the entire season. If you're O'Brien or Lawing, 4th-and-anything around 6 you pretty much have to go for.

-The playing of Mr. Brightside after a sack that forced a punt is embarrassing. I've been critical of the timing for years now, but that was Red Sox-esque. Shame.

-Can't give up more than three on the opening drive of the 2nd half. Offense has no rhythm, might be it if they go down 20-6.

-Props to the student section packing the place 40 minutes before kickoff. Either way, this will be a memorable game and shows that college football can work here, but this team absolutely can't let the good will go with this lackluster showing.

Denver number 1 and BC number 2

I am looking to sell my parking pass for the game this weekend vs Western Kentucky. Hate to miss a football Saturday after such a great game and atmosphere vs Michigan State! My pass is located in McElroy. Full tailgating and located close to the bookstore and an 8 minute walk to the stadium.

So much to break down. Since I am a glass fully empty guy I will start with the negative:

1. He won me over in the first two weeks but the last two weeks but the last two weeks of D Coordinator Lewis scheme has me deeply concerned. I didn’t like some of the scheme last week culminating in playing 10 yards off Luther Burton on 3rd and 8 with the game on the line. If he beats you for a 70 yard TD you live with it, but you can’t give up an uncontested 10 there. Last night I didn’t like the soft zone all night. Maybe I am wrong because we had 3 int’s, but there were wide open receivers all night, we were saved due to facing a scattershot QB. Blown assignments in the secondary on multiple occasions as MSU left a ton of points on the board. Teams are going to run crossing routes on us going forward, not a lot of sideline to sideline speed to deal with it. The execution on D was brutal. Tie game beginning of the 4th quarter, MSU ball on its own 2 yard line and they shove essentially a 98 yard drive(rb missed an easy TD catch) down your throat. Multiple 3rd and longs and you couldn’t get off the field. Nobody has mentioned it but the prevent defense at the end was abysmal. Soft all over the place. That game was heading for MSU having 3-4 plays from our 10 yards line with about 15 seconds left and I think that was what the staff was angling for which is absurd.

2. Whoever on the offensive staff who insists on turning Castellanos into a pocket passer should be demoted. He is making bad decisions on holding the ball and taking terrible sacks the worst being the 3rd down decision after the kickoff fumble on the first series of the second half. Someome must have talked to him because there was much less of it after that drive. Figure out an offevsive set where you are not in the shotgun on 4th and 2 feet.

3. Castellanos review is complicated. He hasn’t taken the leap, I don’t even think he has taken a baby step. I will credit him in the back end of this post for the game winning drive but his accuracy, consistency, and decisionmaking all need to go up a level. And this comes from someome who is a big fan of his. I love his happiness and representation of the school.

4. Bradley/Robichaux are supposed to be 2 of our biggest 4-5 playmakers. Bradley was destroying everyone in preseason camp, then got injured and has not recaptured his spot. I wonder if this is a lingering injury..

5. More screen passes please.

6. Bond had a bad drop that stalled a drive on 1st and 10 as BC was moving on a pass at the line of scrimmage and went backwards on a few plays where the 1st down marker was a dive away. But again he will get praised later in my post.

7. Two fumbles inside the 10 yard line, usually that ends in a loss. Need to some ball protection, re-education.

8. Shit show leading up to the field goal with a delay of game was infuriating.

9. This may seem trivial but I was in the car all day yesterday and was listening to a bunch of other games on Sirius. As that as a platform, Meter and Cronin are very well below average. Meter can’t keep the situation stable. Isn’t the job to make the listener feel like they are watching the play..Meter is a hot mess. Lot of 2nd and 4, handoff to Ward and he is cut down behind the line of scrimmage, then nothing for 30 seconds, then Castellanos over center, 3rd and 2…way too much of this.

The good

1. Fan base. A+++++++++++. Monumental effort under those conditions. I am glad they got to storm the field, well deserved.

2. 3 int’s. I bashed Lewis above but there are some positive results.

3. Castellanos, as uncomfortable as I feel watching him sometimes, I didn’t have an overwhelming doubt that he was going to go down the field at the end. And coming from me, that is saying something. I doubted Flutie. The kid has a ton of winning qualities and instincts which is so important.

4. Bond is his comfort target. Big plays and per the coaches he was open all night. There os some room for some big time numbers this year.

5. The hit to cause the fumble coming out of the tunnel to me was the biggest play of the game. Fired up the crowd and changed momentum. If MSU gets the ball there and marches I think it’s curtains for BC which could have turned into a very deflating night.

6. Kudos to Lombo for making his first field goal after an important drive went backward. To come up empty there would have been super deflating.

7. Great catch on the game sealing interception . Lot of bodies and arms flying in his view.

8. Winning. So much better than losing.

9. W. Ky is just such a wrong time game. They look like they are pretty solid and a noon game after the last two weeks is a game that BC has sleepwalk potential all over it. BC better be more prepared to go than they were last night or they will be down double digits quickly. I have a son at UPitt, they had back to back weeks of insane comebacks ending with a last second win over their rival WV. They played Youngstown Stare yesterday, I told him that Pitt was going to lose. Pitt stomped them from the opening snap. BC needs to do the same.

Noon start .