Two new Atlantic Coast Conference coaches go head-to-head for the first time Saturday when Bill O’Brien’s Boston College team hosts Fran Brown and century-old rival Syracuse at Chestnut Hill, Mass.
The teams enter their 58th all-time meeting as the Eagles (4-4, 1-3 ACC) have lost three straight and the Orange (6-2, 3-2) came back to beat Virginia Tech in overtime last Saturday for their fourth win in five games.
“I’ve been involved with a lot of rivalries, and this is one of those types of games,” O’Brien said. “It’s just two tough teams going against each other.”
Two of Boston College’s four losses and its last two wins have come in one-possession games. Syracuse has played in five such close encounters this season, winning two in overtime.
With three of the teams’ last four meetings decided by a single-digit margin, another close one is expected.
In a 31-27 loss to Louisville on Oct. 25, Thomas Castellanos threw three touchdowns. Three forced turnovers — including Quintayvious Hutchins’ fumble recovery and interception — helped the Eagles build 20-0 and 27-10 leads. But the Cardinals scored 14 fourth-quarter points.
O’Brien’s message has been simple following a second bye week.
“Attack,” he said. “These guys are in a great frame of mind. … We’re close. I realize close doesn’t count, but we’re making progress. I think these guys put a lot into (practice), so we want to … play as hard as we can and see what happens on Saturday.”
Four of the Eagles’ eight total interceptions came last season in a 17-10 win at Syracuse on Nov. 3, 2023. They have already grabbed 11 this season.
The Orange orchestrated an 18-point comeback last week, with Lequint Allen rushing for three touchdowns — including the tying and winning scores — after Kyle McCord threw for two to Justus Ross-Simmons in the second half as part of a 264-yard performance.
McCord bounced back from throwing five picks against Pitt to lift Syracuse to the comeback win and, for the third straight season, bowl eligibility.
The senior Ohio State transfer, who threw for 300 yards in a school-record seven straight starts, leads the FBS in completions per game (30.5).
“He just stays the same (every day),” Brown said. “He just focuses on his family and who’s in the building. At the end of the day, that’s who’s gonna be there with you through the ups and the downs. … He’s our leader.”
Despite playing in a pass-heavy offense, Allen became just the third ACC running back to rush for at least three touchdowns in a game this season. He has nine career 100-yard games.