Boston College Eagles at Miami Hurricanes
Sun Life Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida
Friday, November 25, 2011, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: ABC
Opening Line: Miami -14
Current Line: Miami -14 1/2
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 44
Opening Money Line: Miami -600 / Boston College +450
Current Money Line: Miami -550 / Boston College +425

The 3-8 Boston College Eagles and the 6-5 Miami Hurricanes wrap up their season Friday on the 27th anniversary of Doug Flutie’s famous Hail Mary pass that completed a BC upset over the Hurricanes. The Eagles hope a similar situation happens this week as BC is a double digit underdog at Miami. Miami is bowl eligible under first year coach Al Golden but the university decided to self-impose a bowl ban for this year in hopes of staving off severe NCAA sanctions for players receiving improper benefits dating all the way back to the 80’s. BC is rebuilding under coach Frank Spaziani. Miami leads the overall series 23-4 against Boston College. The two teams haven’t played since 2007 when the Eagles won 28-14 in Chestnut Hill.

Last week, Boston College was a 24 point underdog at Notre Dame on the college football betting line. The Fighting Irish were up 10-0 at the end of the first and 13-7 at halftime. Notre Dame kicked a fourth quarter field goal to go up 16-7. Boston College scored a late touchdown to pull within 2 points but were unable to recover the onside kick. The Eagles got the ball back with 8 seconds left but it was too late, and Notre Dame escaped with a 16-14 win. Boston College had 250 total yards including 170 passing yards from Chase Rettig who threw a touchdown pass. Notre Dame had 417 total yards including 256 passing yards.  The Irish had the only turnover in the game.

Boston College is averaging 295.8 yards and 17.6 points. The Eagles average 166.9 passing yards and 128.9 rushing yards a game. Boston College has 19 turnovers and has allowed 22 sacks. The Eagles are 67/170 on third and fourth conversions, and 21/28 scoring in the red zone with 17 touchdowns. BC allows 396.8 yards and 24.1 points a game. The Eagles give up  243.1 passing yards and 153.7 rushing yards per game. BC has forced 12 turnovers and 11 sacks this season. Boston College opponents are 75/179 on third and fourth down conversions, and 36/44 scoring in the red zone with 21 touchdowns. Boston College has 2 defensive touchdowns this season.

Rettig is 157/300 passing for 1,758 yards, 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, and a rushing touchdown. Running back Rolandan Finch has 135 carries, 609 yards, and 3 touchdowns, and 11 catches for 98 yards. Andre Williams has 111 carries, 465 yards, and 4 touchdowns, and 2 catches. Receiver Colin Lamond has 34 catches, 530 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Bobby Swigert has 40 catches, 395 yards and 3 touchdowns. Amidon has 19 catches, 206 yards, and a touchdown catch, along with 9 carries, 87 yards, and a touchdown. Kicker Nate Freese is 23/24 on extra points and 9/15 on field goals with a long of 52 yards. Boston College has 10 players listed on the injury report including 7 defensive players.

Miami was a 1 point underdog last week at South Florida. South Florida wore some hideous vertigo-inducing uniforms and the  the game was boring to boot. The two teams exchanged field goals in the first half  and neither team scored again until Miami kicked a 36 yard field goal as time expired to win 6-3. Each team had a turnover. Miami had 316 total yards including 259 passing yards from quarterback Jacory Harris. South Florida had 249 total yards including 133 passing yards.

Miami is averaging 378.7 yards a game including 147.8 rushing yards and 230.9 passing yards a game. The Hurricanes are averaging 27.4 points a game. Miami has allowed 19 sacks and has 15 turnovers. The Hurricanes are 68/154 on third and fourth down conversions and 33/40 scoring in the red zone with 26 touchdowns. Miami is allowing 360.9 yards and 19.7 points a game. The Miami rush defense gives up 162.7 yards  a game, but the pass defense is  giving up only 198.2 yards a game. The ‘Canes have forced 14 turnovers and 22 sacks. Miami opponents are 71/165 on third and fourth down conversions, and 29/39 scoring in the red zone with 16 touchdowns. Miami has two defensive touchdowns this season.

Harris is  172/261 passing for 2,241 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, along with 51 carries for 80 yards. Running back Lamar Miller has 215 carries for 1,158 yards and 8 touchdowns, along with 16 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Mike James has 70 carries for 275 yards and 7 touchdowns, along with 9 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He is questionable Friday with a leg injury. Receiver Tommy Streeter has 41 catches for 764 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Travis  Benjamin has 38 catches, 534 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Allen Hurns has 27 catches for 373 yards and 4 touchdowns.   Kicker Jake Wieclaw is 37/37 on extra points and 10/13 on field goals with a long of 43 yards. Miami has numerous players on the injury report due to suspension or injury including 5 defensive players.

Miami is 7-4 against the spread this season and the total is 6-5 in those games. Boston College is 5-6 ATS and the total is 1-9-1 this year. Miami has covered the last 4 meetings against Boston College and all 4 went under the total. The Eagles are 4-0 ATS after scoring 20 points or less, 4-1 after a straight up loss, 8-2 in road games, 4-1 as an underdog, and overall, 6-2 as a road underdog, 5-2 in November and on grass. Miami is 6-1 ATS on grass and overall, 5-1 in conference games, 4-1 after a cover, 16-34-1 as a favorite of 10.5 points or more, 3-7 at home, 17-41-1 as a home favorite, including 10-26-1 at home, 5-16-1 at home against teams with losing road records, 1-4 after scoring 20 points or less, and 2-10 against teams with losing records.

Both of these offenses struggle to move the ball and have good defenses. There shouldn’t be a lot of points scored in this game. Miami is the better team, but the players just found out about the bowl ban this week and could have an emotional let down because of it. Miami will win a close game but I like BC to cover.

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