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Five Eagle Eyed Thoughts from Week Four

After watching this week’s Wake Forest game, here are some observations on the football team’s progress.

QB Dave Shinskie seems to have control of the offense.

While Justin Tuggle relied on the deep ball, Shinskie relied on the short and medium range passing game. Always more suitable for conservative Offensive Coordinator Gary Tranquill, Shinskie played to his abilities, even showing a little movement in the pocket, and the offense looked back on track after a miserable Clemson outing. Yet, Shinskie still cannot throw the long ball and looked tight for the fourth quarter and overtime. Overall though, Shinskie looks like the solid starter going into the Florida State game, but I feel Tuggle could get a look if Shinskie struggles mightily against a stout Seminole defense.

The two back system works at Boston College.

The Andre Callender-L.V. Whitworth combination worked wonders a couple years ago and the Josh Haden-Montel Harris looks to be just as good. After Montel Harris dominated in the first three games, Josh Haden looked incredibly explosive against Wake Forest. He may be the only player on the Boston College team with the lightning quick explosion from the line of scrimmage. His brother Joe, who starts for the Florida Gators, ranks as the best cornerback in the nation and he came to Chestnut Hill as Jeff Jagodzinski’s marquee recruit. All B. C. fans should be encouraged by Haden’s north-south rushing display instead of his usual tendency to dance around in the backfield.

Cheers to the receiving corps.

WR Justin Jarvis returned from oblivion (one catch in three games) to become the go-to receiver for Shinskie against the Deacons with five catches for 66 yards. TE Jordon McMichael made a one handed snag on a 50 yard touchdown pass while TE Chris Pantale brought back a high Shinskie throw for another touchdown. WR Colin Larmond also made a nice grab at the back of the end zone while Gunnell chipped in with five grabs. With Gunnell, Jarvis, and Larmond, Boston College should rank among the top four in ACC receivers.

Credit coach Frank Spaziani for trying to light a fire under the offensive line.

At one point in the first half, he subbed in the backup offensive line for an entire drive. During the quick three and out, you could see Spaziani chewing out the line. The offensive line responded pretty well, with plenty of pass protection, but the run blocking still seemed suspect. G Thomas Claiborne took notice, though, with his passion almost getting the better of him a few times on the field. If Boston College will get its offensive line together, it needs better leadership from Matt Tennant, who committed a few penalties despite being an All-ACC selection.

It will be interesting to see how Defensive Coordinator Bill McGovern works MLB Mike McLaughlin back into the starting lineup.

McLaughlin, the defensive captain, received a decent amount of snaps and recorded four tackles while the incumbent starter, Luke Kuechly, continued to impress with his grasp of the defense. McGovern must decide if he should replace the team’s leading tackler, Kuechly, for the team’s leader McLaughlin or if the lighter Kuechly might slide into one of the outside backer’s roles.

Tags: Bill McGovern, Boston College, Colin Larmond, Dave Shinskie, Frank Spaziani, Justin Jarvis, Matt Tennant, Mike McLaughlin