In Bill O’Brien’s first season at the helm, Boston College is set to go bowling despite a mid-season QB controversy and a tough second-half stretch to the season.
The former New England Patriots offensive coordinator returned home to Massachusetts this past offseason, and it doesn’t look like he’ll have to go very far this bowl season, with my bowl game projection for the Eagles being so close to home.
Boston College Eagles season to date
It was a hot start to the season for Boston College with a 28-13 upset win over then No. 10 Florida State. In retrospect, that win wasn’t as impressive as it first appeared, but BC proved to be a tough out for other ranked teams like Missouri and SMU.
Ultimately, the 4-1 start to the season that had the Eagles ranked didn’t last long, with them losing four of their next five and QB Thomas Castellanos being benched and hitting the transfer portal.
Still, O’Brien is positioned to win as many games in his first season as former coach Jeff Hafley did in any one season during his four-year tenure (seven).
Boston College Eagles remaining schedule
vs. Pittsburgh (Sat., Nov. 30): This game is truly a toss-up with Pitt riding a four-game losing streak and starting QB Eli Holstein injured. Grayson James’ steady hand behind center should be enough for BC to win a close one.
Boston College Eagles bowl game projection
Fenway Bowl
Whether Boston College beats Pitt or not, finishing 7-5 or 6-6 should earn the program a spot in the bowl game closest to Chestnut Hill.
The Eagles' 3-4 ACC record has them tied for eighth in the conference, with potentially two of SMU, Miami, and Clemson making the College Football Playoff. That should bump them up to the Fenway Bowl for the second straight season, where they’ll play a team from the AAC.
ACC bowl tie-ins and affiliations
- Pop-Tarts Bowl (vs. Big 12)
- TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (vs. SEC)
- Duke’s Mayo Bowl (vs. Big Ten)
- Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (vs. TBD - formerly Pac-12)
- Pinstripe Bowl (vs. Big Ten)
- Holiday Bowl (vs. TBD - formerly Pac-12)
- Fenway Bowl (vs. AAC)
- Go Bowling Military Bowl (vs. AAC)
- ReliaQuest Bowl (vs. SEC or Big Ten)
- Alternate affiliation: Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (vs. AAC or SEC)
- Alternate affiliation: Birmingham Bowl (vs. SEC or AAC)
- Alternate affiliation: SERVPRO Firest Responder Bowl (vs. SEC or AAC)
Fenway Bowl info
- Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024
- Time: 11:00 a.m. ET
- Location: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
- Network: ESPN
