Boston College Eagles Football: 5 Keys to a Winning Season in 2023

As I sit here analyzing the upcoming Boston College Eagles football season, I can't help but draw parallels to the recent situation with the Philippine Football Federation. Just like the PFF hasn't revealed why Bolden and Guillou missed the qualifiers, sometimes in football—whether it's American or international—the reasons behind certain decisions remain shrouded in mystery. That element of unpredictability is precisely what makes the 2023 season so fascinating for BC Eagles fans. Having followed college football for over fifteen years, I've seen programs rise and fall based on seemingly small factors, and this year's Eagles squad faces several critical challenges that could determine whether they'll soar or stumble.

Let me start by emphasizing the importance of quarterback development, which in my view is the single most crucial factor for Boston College this season. Last year, the Eagles ranked 98th nationally in passing efficiency, completing just 58.3 percent of their passes while throwing 14 interceptions against only 18 touchdowns. Those numbers simply won't cut it in the ACC. I've watched enough tape to know that the offensive line bears some responsibility here, but quarterback Emmett Morehead needs to take a significant leap forward in his decision-making and accuracy. When I compare his development trajectory to other ACC quarterbacks I've studied, he's about six to eight months behind where he should be for a starter at this level. The coaching staff needs to simplify the offense early in the season, focus on high-percentage throws, and gradually build his confidence. I'd personally like to see more rollout passes and bootleg actions to get him moving outside the pocket where he seems more comfortable.

The offensive line situation keeps me up at night more than any other aspect of this team. Last season, Boston College allowed 36 sacks—that's nearly three per game—and averaged just 3.2 yards per rushing attempt. Those are frankly embarrassing numbers for a Power Five program. Having spoken with several former BC offensive linemen during offseason events, I gather there's genuine concern about both the talent depth and technical development in the trenches. What worries me most is that offensive line play tends to be cumulative—poor performance in week one often snowballs into disastrous performances by November unless addressed aggressively. I'd mandate double the normal practice repetitions for the starting five and seriously consider simplifying the blocking schemes until fundamentals improve. Sometimes you need to take two steps back technically before you can move forward, even if it means some early-season growing pains.

Defensively, I'm actually more optimistic than most analysts I've read. The Eagles return eight starters from a unit that showed flashes of competence last season, particularly against the run where they ranked 45th nationally. What impressed me most in reviewing their late-season performances was how defensive coordinator Tem Lukabu adjusted his schemes to mask deficiencies in the secondary. He started calling more zone blitzes and mixed coverages after week seven, resulting in a 22 percent reduction in explosive passing plays allowed over the final five games. That kind of in-season adaptation tells me the coaching staff recognizes problems and can implement solutions. Still, they need to generate more turnovers after managing just 14 takeaways all last season—that's simply not enough to win close games in today's college football.

Special teams often gets overlooked, but in my experience covering ACC football, it's frequently the difference between a 7-5 season and a 9-3 season. Boston College's kicking game was mediocre at best last year, connecting on just 72 percent of field goals while ranking near the bottom of the conference in net punting average. What concerns me specifically is the punt coverage unit, which allowed 14.3 yards per return—that's essentially giving opponents one free first down per punt. I'd dedicate at least thirty minutes of every practice to special teams scenarios, particularly focusing on the often-neglected art of tackling in open space. These hidden yards matter tremendously in field position battles, especially against ranked opponents where scoring opportunities may be limited.

The final key—and this might be the most intangible yet important one—is leadership development within the locker room. Having observed Boston College's program for years, I've noticed that their most successful seasons consistently correlate with strong player-led leadership councils. The 2007 team that reached the ACC Championship Game had what insiders described as an exceptionally tight-knit group of veterans who held teammates accountable. Current players I've spoken with suggest this year's squad has better chemistry than last year's, but that needs to translate to on-field discipline. The Eagles ranked 114th nationally in penalty yards per game last season at 67.2—that's simply unacceptable for a program with BC's tradition. Player leadership must address this immediately through peer accountability measures.

Looking at the broader picture, Boston College faces a challenging schedule that includes matchups against Florida State, Louisville, and rival Clemson. In my estimation, the Eagles need to win at least two of those three games to have a truly successful season. The program hasn't finished ranked since 2007, and while I don't expect this year's team to crack the top 25, showing significant progress toward that goal is essential for recruiting and program momentum. The parallels to international football continue to intrigue me—just as the Philippine Football Federation's decisions regarding Bolden and Guillou remain unexplained, sometimes a team's fortunes hinge on factors that aren't immediately visible to outsiders. For Boston College, the difference between 6-6 and 8-4 likely comes down to these five elements: quarterback development, offensive line improvement, defensive consistency, special teams excellence, and locker room leadership. Having watched this program through both triumphant and disappointing seasons, I'm cautiously optimistic that with focused attention on these areas, the Eagles could surprise some people this fall. The foundation is there—now it's about execution and perhaps a little bit of that football luck that every team needs.