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Following a dismal loss to Clemson last weekend, Boston College must regroup and focus its attention on Wake Forest, the Eagles' second consecutive ACC opponent. "You don't want to let the same team beat you twice," said center Matt Tennant. "The offense wants to go out and prove itself. We want to be able to show people that we can still score points and bounce back."
"This week should be a better week," said running back Montel Harris. "We've got to come out and show everyone we have a high-powered offense. [(Clemson]) was one of the worst games I've played in since I've been here."
So what does BC face on Saturday? First, the fierce arm of record-setting Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner. Skinner, who is the ACC's career leader in completion percentage, is the school's winningest quarterback. "You have to understand the animal that you're playing against," said linebacker Mike McLaughlin. "He's one of the best, if not the best in the ACC. You practice for it, you have to prepare for the best."
Skinner isn't the only offensive threat posed against BC. Wake Forest's offense has put up at least 400 yards of total offense in each of the past two games, and while BC's defense played admirably on Saturday, it will be a challenge to contain Skinner. Head Coach Frank Spaziani identified this challenge as a focal point in the team's preparation, stating simply, "We need to try and stop him again."
Additionally, the Demon Deacons are an experienced squad; 31 players are in their fourth or fifth year in the program. The 22 members of their senior class (17 of whom are redshirt seniors) make up the largest group in the ACC. "Everybody at Wake redshirts, so you know they all have experience," said quarterback Justin Tuggle. "They have a solid defense and everybody plays their assignments well."
Given that BC knows the challenge that lies ahead, what does the team hope to bring to the field to combat the Demon Deacons on Alumni field this Saturday? First, McLaughlin's return at middle linebacker will prove to be a confidence booster for the team. "I'm as hungry as I've ever been in my life," McLaughlin said. "I'm physically ready now." McLaughlin participated in his first full workouts this week, and while he says that he's ready to play, he knows he has a proven backup in Luke Kuechly. The true freshman impressed coaches during camp and in the first three games of this season, filling in after both McLaughlin and sophomore Will Thompson were injured.
Second, last week's bleak offensive showing at Clemson was partly the result of miscommunication and ill preparation. Many players spoke this week of working harder to be on the same page. Alumni Stadium should not bring the deafening noise that Death Valley did, and this change of atmosphere should facilitate better communication between players. "It was the first time I've ever played in front of that many people, but it's still no excuse," said quarterback David Shinskie. "The key to this game is running to open up the pass, and pass when we feel we need to. Wake likes to shift their defense at the last second, and we need to get used to that."
BC, which has defeated Wake Forest twice in the past two seasons, leads the all-time series with the Demon Deacons, 8-6-2. As much as Saturday's 2 p.m. matchup at Alumni might prove to be a challenging game for the Eagles, it is one that has become a must-win after the Clemson fiasco.
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