2015 record: 3-9, 0-8 in the ACC (7th in the Atlantic)
Head coach: Steve Addazio (4th season)
Boston College made history in 2015-16—just not in a positive way.
The Eagles' football and men's basketball teams went a combined 0-26 in conference play, making them the first team in ACC history to reach such a level of futility. The Boston College football program won just three nonconference matchups—all of which came at home—but did rally late against then-No. 5 Notre Dame before eventually falling short.
The Eagle defense was Boston College's strength in 2015, allowing an average of only 15.3 points and 254.3 yards per game—good for fourth and first in the nation, respectively. The unit's 4.0 yards allowed per play was also best among Division I teams. Much of that credit goes to head coach Steve Addazio, a defensive specialist, and defensive line coach Ben Albert, who came to Duke in the offseason.
On that side of the ball, linebackers Connor Strachan and Matt Milano will look to lead the team back to a bowl game. Strachan finished second on the team in tackles in 2015 and Milano led the defense in sacks.
If the Eagles are going to be competitive in the ACC Atlantic Division, they will need to get much-improved play from whoever starts under center. Boston College landed former Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles as a graduate transfer this offseason and will get redshirt sophomore Darius Wade back from injury. Boston College returns veteran running backs Tyler Rouse and Myles Willis, but unless the Eagles can find momentum in its passing game, they could be in for another rough year with games against Clemson, Florida State, Notre Dame and Louisville.
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Twitter: @mpgladstone13
A junior from just outside Philadelphia, Mitchell is probably reminding you how the Eagles won the Super Bowl this year and that the Phillies are definitely on the rebound. Outside of The Chronicle, he majors in Economics, minors in Statistics and is working toward the PJMS certificate, in addition to playing trombone in the Duke University Marching Band. And if you're getting him a sandwich with beef and cheese outside the state of Pennsylvania, you best not call it a "Philly cheesesteak."