Emerald Bowl Preview and Pick – Boston College Eagles vs. USC Trojans

Saturday, December 26th – AT&T Park (San Francisco, CA) – 8:00 PM ET

College Football Spread: USC -8

Boston College: The Week That Was

The Eagles – in a game that encapsulated their 2009 regular season – were ugly but effective in a 19-17 triumph over Maryland. Boston College lacks imposing, overwhelming talent, but coach Frank Spaziani’s club quietly went about its business and posted an 8-4 campaign this past Autumn, good enough for the program’s eleventh consecutive bowl bid.

Sure, Boston College scored only one touchdown against a Maryland team that finished at 2-10. Yes, BC went only 4-of-15 on third downs against the Terrapins on Nov. 28 in College Park, Md. True, the Eagles didn’t put the game away until they gained a 19-10 lead with 3:59 remaining. Yet, they won again. The two-point triumph reminded observers why Boston College is a success story in college football.

USC: The Week That Was

The Trojans had a shot at the Holiday Bowl, but they fell into a fifth-place tie in the Pac-10 after losing at home to Arizona, 21-17, on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles. USC’s defense played well enough to win, slowing down the visiting Wildcats and quarterback Nick Foles. The same Arizona team that rolled up 41 points against Oregon scored roughly half as much against the Trojans. The problem for Pete Carroll’s crew – as it’s been over the past month of the season – was an offense that’s become stale and shaky. Quarterback Matt Barkley – who showed terrific command late in October – has lost confidence. The freshman completed just 20-of-37 passes for a meagre 144 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

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The Week That Is:

The USC athletic department is living a nightmare. Trojan running back Joe McKnight is knee-deep in a controversy involving the use of an SUV. Three USC players – including Matt Barkley’s favourite target, tight end Anthony McCoy – have been ruled academically ineligible for this Emerald Bowl battle. A program that has dominated much of the decade is now wounded, distracted, and drowning in off-field controversies.

This is exactly the kind of situation in which a bowl game – even a matchup as lopsided as this one – can turn into a big upset. USC owns physical advantages at virtually every position on the field, while the Eagles – from a weak Atlantic Coast Conference – are short on NFL combine specimens. Yet, if USC is completely disheartened and disinterested, Boston College will prevail.

In many ways, this game is a test of USC coach Pete Carroll. If it was hard for Carroll to motivate his players before a series of recent Rose Bowls, it’s going to be very difficult for the coaching superstar to get the Trojans prepared for a low-level bowl on the day after Christmas.

Then again, how did USC do in those Rose Bowls, anyway? USC will still roll to victory.

College Bowl Predictions: USC -8