NC State Is The Only Thing That Matters

It's hard to avoid the obvious discussion piece these days. It's a rumbling starting after Boston College beat Louisville, getting louder with each victory. Virginia brought it to the forefront, and Florida State ripped the lid away. It's now impossible to ignore because it's simply right there for the taking.

BC enters Saturday's game against No. 24 NC State needing one win to clinch bowl eligibility. The Eagles sit in the thick of postseason conversation. Destinations range from the Military Bowl to the Pinstripe Bowl. Though three games remain in the regular season, many people believe it's a matter of when and where, not if, BC will play in a bowl.

Meritorious bowl discussion is deserved. Confidence is soaring after BC's three-game winning streak, and last week's bye allowed for a much-needed recalibration. The week off allowed everyone to bask and enjoy recent success. But this week brought the Eagles back to work to face potentially its toughest test. Game day for NC State is rapidly approaching, and there's no time for distractions anymore.

"I told the team to put blinders on," Addazio said. "We're in a one-game season, period. That's what I think. I hope that's what our team thinks because that's the trap this time of year. The season presents different traps, but a lot of teams start all of a sudden looking at what's next week or three weeks or what could happen here or there. That's just a trap to me."

The six-win hurdle looms large because NC State is a tough contender. It's in second place in the Atlantic Division, a ranked team two weeks removed from New Year's Six bowl discussions. Two weeks later, losses to Notre Dame and Clemson send the Wolfpack into Saturday with a 6-3 overall record, one loss in ACC play and a hunger to turn its own tide with a huge win.

The Wolfpack are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Ryan Finley is incredibly accurate, completing 65% of his passes for over 2,500 yards. He has 15 touchdowns to just three picks and has multiple playmakers surrounding him. He's a pro style quarterback, which is a little bit different from the dual threats faced earlier in the season, and he's incredibly talented and dangerous with the football.

"I think the linebacker position is really progressing (against multiple quarterback types)," Addazio said. "John Lamot has become more and more confident every week. I think we're getting more comfortable playing multiple coverages in the back end. Our play up front has been great with Wyatt Ray, Zach Allen, Ray Smith and Noa Merritt. We've had real consistent play up there, and it kind of really anchors in there after the disruption we had earlier in the year."

Jaylen Samuels and Kelvin Harmon are as good of a tandem of receivers as any team in the ACC, combining for 110 catches through last week. Harmon presents a whole host of issues as a vertical threat receiver, but Samuels is the X-factor, a triple threat H-back who will unquestionably find his way onto an NFL roster.

A converted running back, he leads the team with 59 receptions while making 50 touches out of the backfield for 248 yards. He leads all NC State skill players with a combined 12 touchdowns.

"He's an elite player in our conference," Addazio said. "He's got tremendous athleticism and skill. So I think we'll do a host of things to try and have a game plan to contend with him."

That's just the offense. The NC State defense has well-earned swagger, especially in late-game situations. It's been elite against running teams and ranks as one of the better units in passing efficiency. It can be disruptive even if it gives up yards, thanks to players like linebacker Bradley Chubb.

"We should talk about Bradley Chubb because he's one of the elite players in America," Addazio said. "They have big, physical guys on the interior, and they have this guy on the edge. He's physically stout, explosive but dynamic as well. This guy is a difference maker, and he impacts the game. He has our full attention because I think he's that good. That's what we're looking at - a first round draft pick."

Bowl eligibility breathes excitement into a program. It's exciting to think of where BC could land and who it could play. Bowl games bring new opponents together in neutral venues, and they're exciting litmus tests of a team against other teams in similar situations.

But a bowl game is a long way away. A very good NC State team looms, and even though BC is riding its current wave of success, the coaching staff knows to be wary of a potential cresting.

"I think we see an opportunity to beat this team on our home field this week," Addazio said. "That's what we've talked about all week long. I've seen too much across college football, especially in the last week, where it bites people. You need to bring it every week, and they see it as an opportunity to come home for a one-game season."

BC and NC State link up on Saturday at high noon. The game will be televised nationally on ABC with a reverse mirror to ESPN2 in markets where Iowa State-Oklahoma State draws the national coverage. It can also be heard on the BC IMG Sports Radio Network locally on WEEI 850 AM and nationally on TuneIn and Sirius channel 113/XM channel 193.

Players Mentioned

Zach Allen

John Lamot

Noa Merritt

Wyatt Ray

Ray Smith

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