Duke @ Boston College preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2010 ) Boston College 21, Duke 16

THE STORY: Duke has long been the Atlantic Coast Conference doormat. Boston College, however, is in an unfamiliar position. Help could be on the way, though.

Running back Montel Harris, the ACC preseason Player of the Year, may make his season debut on Saturday just in time to help Boston College avoid its first 0-3 start in 20 years.

The Eagles’ offense has come to a standstill without Harris, who’s had two knee surgeries in a nine-month span.

Duke, which hasn’t had a winning season since 1994, is coming off a 44-14 loss to No. 6 Stanford. Boston College leads the series 4-1. This is just the second meeting since 1929. The Eagles prevailed, 21-16, on the road last season.

TV: ESPN3.com LINE: Boston College - 7

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (0-2): The Eagles are 0-2 for the first time since 1994. Boston College ranks 106th (out of 120 FBS schools) in rushing without Harris, who needs 1,002 yards to become the conference’s all-time leading rusher. Without Harris, heralded sophomore QB Chase Rettig has yet to throw a touchdown. Making matters worse, first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers has taken a medical leave. Tight ends coach Dave Brock will fill in.

ABOUT DUKE (0-2): The Blue Devils, who are also struggling offensively, already have an embarrassing loss to an FCS team – Richmond - on their resume. Junior QB Sean Renfree has a 70 percent completion rate, but just 380 yards and zero touchdowns in two games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boston College All-American linebacker Luke Kuechly leads the nation with 35 tackles and has reached double figures in an NCAA-best 24 straight games.

2. Duke hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2003.

3. The Eagles had the ball for less than 23 minutes in last week’s 30-3 loss to Central Florida.

PREDICTION: Boston College 23, Duke 10 – It could be a little closer if Harris doesn’t return, but Boston College is desperate and the Blue Devils are, well - the Blue Devils.