Instant Reaction: Offensive in Orlando

I think the fact that a Twitter account called @FireSpaz started following me immediately after the game is a pretty good statement as to where we are. (As we just joked on Twitter, you can't buy FireSpaz.com, either: someone has owned it since June 2007.)

That was bad, just straight up bad. When the fourth down conversion in the beginning of the third failed, it all fell apart. Colin Larmond looked like he didn't want to be there, and Luke Kuechly can't actually tackle everybody - although he damned near did.

ATL summed it up in one tweet where we are:

In 10 yrs at BC TOB only scored in single digits 6 times. Jags never did in 2 yrs. Spaz about to do it for 3rd time in less than 3 years.

3-9 is optimistic at this point if we keep playing like this. And I'm the glass half full guy. Get me the time machine to prevent Jags from taking that Jets interview. Now.

UCF Preview

So after last week, I barely even want to write this, but DL asked me (the glass half empty guy) to write the preview this week since I am heading up to Orlando to watch the game (leaving in about 30 minutes, write fast!!!!).

What to expect (BC Offense vs UCF Defense)
BC is famed for our Offensive Line, and the big guys up front got man handled last week against Northwestern.  Given that NU was a AQ Conference opponent, in theory this should be a better match up this week, but UCF has a deep recruiting base of FAST players, the could easily give our bruisers trouble.  BC also had significant issues getting the ball into the End-zone when playing from the Red.  This combined with two missed field goals left our offense limp and lifeless, hopefully this can be improved.

What to expect (BC Defense vs UCF Offense)
The same recruiting base that gives them speed on defense loads their bench with running backs that can beat out most of our front 7.  BC needs to show that it can stop the run while not leaving gaping holes for the pass game.  Kuechly needs to show up and be as dominating as he always is.

Story-lines of the game
In game storyline of course is how much injury is plaguing BC right now, with our most productive running back and receivers injured, this will put a cloud over this game no matter what the outcome.

Outside the game is the far more interesting storyline, that of the "Man in the Red Bandana" and UCF's classy support of BC Alum Welles Crowther (see DL's post)

BC Football and Pessimism: Has it Been a Good Run or is There Something Left?

It's been, what, five days since BC lost a game by going against everything in the past few years that's kept the football team competitive...and there is definitely a tremor in the force among BC faithful by way of it. Stay away from the message boards unless you want to see pessimism at its finest - believe me, even pre-season the term "Henningesque" was being thrown around (never a good thing). Stay away from Twitter unless you are looking for others with whom to discuss Firing Spaz. While this is the vocal set, it does begin to feel that the question of doom is floating over the program, "Is this the year where BC's decade of football relevance ends?"

I bring this up now because September is the bright spot on the Eagles' tough ACC slate this year - and a loss in Orlando this Saturday means that the Eagles are at best looking at 3-2 heading into three straight away games in Clemson, Blacksburg and College Park. The bowl streak is important to the diehards, and losing that this year would certainly hurt, especially because it will take an act of God to get GDF to swallow his pride and part ways with Spaz over performance.

Not everyone is driving the car off the cliff. ATL Eagle positively discussed how BC has a relative track record bouncing back from opening season losses (most recently, coming off a similarly poorly-managed and uncharacteristic home opener against Wake Forest in 2003). Going into Happy Valley - and this is not meant as a slight to UCF fans - is a slightly more daunting task than Orlando at night in September. A win Saturday may not be enough for everyone, but at least the good vibes could get turn again to get to 4-1 going down to visit the Tigers in October. 

So what say you - has the train already left the station or is there something left in the BC football program?

Red Bandannas and Straight Class out of UCF

We could keep dwelling on what happened last Saturday - and trust me Doug has the easier job writing up the Lows reaction and analysis as to what went wrong. Instead of trying to spin something positive out of it, I'm going to focus on something that actually is positive and happening this upcoming weekend.

Last Sunday morning, ESPN's Outside the Lines showed a feature on Welles Crowther, a BC grad and former student-athlete who lost his life ten years ago on 9/11. Crowther's story had been known by a few, but it got a much deserved spotlight as he sacrificed his life to help many many others get out of the Towers after the attack (you can watch that feature here - bring tissues).

He was the "Man in the Red Bandanna," covering his mouth with a bandanna he always carried with him that had once been given to him by his father. The story of Welles is inspiring, and it touched at least a few people in Orlando, too. When the 2011 BC football squad heads down to play UCF this Saturday, at least one group of fans will be donning Red Bandannas in a sign of support, solidarity and rememberance.

More from the Orlando Sentinel and be sure to click that you'll attend on the Facebook event to drive some awareness among your network.

(Unsolicited but relevant PSA: BC alums have organized a Welles Crowther 5k called the ""Red Bandanna Run" for the last seven years. This year's event is coming up on October 15 and loops around the Chestnut Hill Campus, and absolutely worthy way to spend a Saturday fall morning on a bye week, if you ask me.)