OUT OF CHOICES: GT Can't Handle BC

The best quarterback in the nation may not be at USC, or Florida, or on the field during the Louisville-Kentucky matchup.

And no, I am not talking about Colt Brennan.

It may just be Matt Ryan of Boston College.

The young man has a big arm and perfect mechanics and turned in a huge performance in a huge game over Georgia Tech last Saturday. How huge? Try 435 passing yards against one of the best defenses in the nation. We saw Notre Dame get humiliated on the first Saturday of the season, and saw Samford run into a brick wall the next week.

And then Ryan went out and threw for 435 yards against the same Georgia Tech defense.
In a conference where quarterbacks are usually filed under “inconsistent” or “incompetent,” Ryan’s brilliance blazes brighter. The Eagles will have an advantage behind center over all their ACC opponents they play from here on out. And that ACC schedule is already three games shorter as the Eagles started out the season going 3-0, all in conference games.

So while other teams are getting ready to delve into the meat of ACC play, Boston College has already tasted the juices of victory against last year’s ACC championship contestants Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. Just as delicious was a sweet revenge win over NC State and former coach Tom O’Brien who bolted for the Wolfpack in the offseason.

Besides Ryan, the Eagles boast one of the most talented defenses in the nation. Tashard Choice was shut down to the tune of 31 yards on 15 carries, and Georgia Tech was held to 267 yards of total offense.

And in fact the defense, may be improving. Wake Forest put up 28 points and 368 yards opening week against BC, while NC State put up 17 points and 407 yards one week later. If the Eagles defense can match the play of Ryan’s, then the rest of the ACC is in trouble.

Boston College can now rest up during some easy non-conference games the next few weeks.

The rest of the ACC will have to make up time while looking up at the Eagles in the standings.

—E. Blaso