Collegiate Times

By contrast, the Tech offense ranks 11th in red zone offense, reaching such territory 50 times. This ranks tops in the ACC, but they've only scored 74 percent of the time with 22 touchdowns.

Seventeen of those touchdowns came on the ground, which may be more difficult against the Boston College defensive front.  

While the Tech offense may struggle against the Boston College defense, don't expect the Eagles to light up the Tech defense, either.  

In October, the Tech defense was still coming together and the Eagles took advantage of that through big plays.

"I remember we had a lot of mental errors up there when we played against Boston College," said senior defensive end Orion Martin. "We had a lot of missed assignments on our part on defense, but also they made a lot of big plays on offense. I think since then we've improved a whole lot in our tackling, our communication on the field. I think overall the defense has really come together and grown into our roles."

In addition to cutting down on big plays since the game in October, the Tech defense will have the advantage of facing redshirt-freshman quarterback Dominique Davis instead of redshirt-senior Chris Crane, who fractured his collarbone against Wake Forest two weeks ago.

Davis may not be as good as Crane, but he led the Eagles on a game-winning drive late against Wake Forest and threw two touchdowns in their victory over Maryland.

In his limited playing time, Davis has displayed a calm demeanor, which should help against a punishing Tech defense.

"Off the field, he's a very laid-back guy," senior wide receiver Brandon Robinson said. "But when we're in practice and game situations, he doesn't get rattled. He's really calm and confident and just stays in control."

Since both teams excel on the defensive side of the ball, special teams will be key.

"There's no question I think when you get into championship games ... when you think there'd be two teams that are fairly close to each other as far as abilities, and whenever you get a game like that, special teams usually decide it, or certainly affect it," Beamer said. "I think that's just a known fact."

Boston College ranks first in punt return average with two touchdowns, while both teams have struggled punting the ball. Tech ranks last in the conference in net punting; Boston College ranks 11th.

Tech does maintain a distinct advantage with redshirt-senior field goal kicker Dustin Keys, who has made 20 of 25 attempts this season. Boston College's Steve Aponavicius has had a hard time this season, making just 13 of 20 field goals.  

Regardless of match-ups, meeting for the second year in a row for the championship game has upped the stakes for both teams.

"We played them for a while now, and I guess you can say from the Big East it's turned into a rivalry in the ACC," Martin said. "Every time we get together it's a big game. We're looking forward to it this Saturday. When we face Boston College, we know we're going to be facing one of the top teams in the ACC."

The Eagles are especially hungry to win this game after losing last year's championship to Tech, and they're heading to the table with confidence.

"We definitely don't want to lose to them again, especially in a game like this. We want that ring this year, "Anderson said. "And, like I said, if we just keep doing what we're doing throughout the weeks with practices and stuff like that, we'll win."

Continue Reading:  « Previous12