Villanova @ Boston College preview

A new era in Boston College football history begins Saturday when the Eagles host Villanova. Steve Addazio takes over the reins and promises to return Boston College to respectability with an aggressive recruiting strategy, but it might be a tough sell immediately since the Eagles were 2-10 in 2012 and are picked to finish last in the ACC's seven-team Atlantic Division in the preseason poll. Boston College also lacks depth at key positions such as quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

Addazio's first game will be against an FCS school, but that doesn't mean the Eagles will have it any easier. The Wildcats, who lost to Stony Brook 20-10 in the first round of the 2012 FCS tournament, are ranked ninth in the preseason FCS Coaches Poll. Villanova quickly rebounded from a 2-9 season in 2011 thanks to quarterback John Robertson, who threw for 1,965 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 1,021 yards and 14 scores during his eye-opening freshman season.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN News. LINE: None

ABOUT VILLANOVA (2012: 8-4, 6-2 Colonial Athletic): The Wildcats are poised to go further in 2013 as expectations for the 6-1, 215-pound Robertson are sky high. "He is brimming with confidence, and really perceived as the leader of the team," said coach Andy Talley, who is entering his 34th year as a head coach and is 198-120-1 in 28 seasons at Villanova. The Wildcats also return junior running back Kevin Monangai, who recorded 1,210 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (2012: 2-10, 1-7 ACC): The Eagles strive to be more balanced on offense, with the hope that senior running back Andre Williams can increase his totals of 584 yards and 130 attempts from 2012. Senior quarterback Chase Rettig threw the second-most passes in the ACC last season while completing only 54.2 percent of them with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Senior wide receiver Alex Amidon was second in the ACC with 1,210 receiving yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boston College's offense was 99th among the 120 FBS teams in total yards last season with 349.8 per game while its defense was 100th at 456.4.

2. Addazio, who went 13-11 at Temple from 2011-12 in his first two seasons as a head coach, was an assistant at Syracuse, Notre Dame and Indiana before winning two national championships while on Urban Meyer's staff at Florida.

3. Boston College leads the series 29-15-1, but the teams have not met since the Wildcats prevailed 20-9 in 1980. Addazio's Temple squad defeated Villanova 41-10 in 2012.

PREDICTION: Boston College 21, Villanova 20