By Dave Holcomb
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Dave Holcomb breaks down Boston College and Louisville.

Elite programs rarely lose two consecutive games, but in the Power 5 conference with perhaps the most parity over the last five years (particularly in the ACC Coastal division) its not uncommon. In the ACC, two-game losing streaks happen regularly for programs that finish with eight or nine wins.

Losing three straight, though, is not routine for good teams. That many consecutive losses essentially eliminates any possibility for a eight or nine-win campaign, and can even make it difficult to earn a bowl trip.

At Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, both Louisville and visiting Boston College will be aiming to avoid a three-game losing streak and their third loss in the ACC. The game is a bigger deal for Louisville, but each program will see its bowl hopes greatly increase with a victory Saturday.

Louisville enters this weekend on a two-game losing streak, but not by much. The Cardinals lost their last two games by a combined four points. That includes a home defeat against Virginia where Louisville led 30-13 going into the fourth quarter.

The previous week, Louisville erased the 10-point deficit it faced going into the final quarter only to see Wake Forest kick the game-winning field goal with 22 seconds to go.

While the two losses were different in nature, the common theme for the Cardinals has been defensive letdowns. Louisville has given up 31 points during the fourth quarter in its last two games. Overall, Louisville is 11th in points allowed and dead last in yards yielded in the ACC.

The Cardinals pass defense has been particularly poor. Only five teams in the country are giving up more passing yards per game than Louisville entering Week 8.

But the question this week is whether or not Boston College can take advantage of a secondary thats allowing nearly 300 passing yards per game.

Without starting quarterback Phil Jurkovec, the Eagles have struggled to move the ball through the air. Boston College scored 41 points with backup signal caller Dennis Grosel starting against Missouri in Week 4, but in two conference games, Grosel has averaged about 6.4 yards per pass with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Its definitely worth noting, though, that Grosels two ACC starts have come against Clemson and NC State — arguably the two best defenses in the conference. The generous Louisville pass defense will be a sight to behold for Grosel and the Boston College offense, which has 20 points in two ACC contests.

Louisville is better at stopping the run, but Boston College running back Pat Garwo III is probably pleased to see the Cardinals up next too. Garwo III has 107 rushing yards since Boston Colleges two-game losing streak began. The Eagles fell behind in both games, and didnt give Garwo much of a chance to establish any kind of presence on the ground.

Even if Grosel has the best game of his young career, that will have to change. Garwo is Boston Colleges best player on offense, and he needs closer to 25 touches like he had against Missouri for the Eagles to win.

If the Cardinals can keep Garwo in neutral like the last two weeks, their defense has a chance at a nice bounce back performance against a backup quarterback. Still, its going to be up to the offense whether Louisville makes a bowl game this winter.

Louisville is third in time of possession in the ACC, so its not a matter of holding onto the ball to protect the pass defense. With no lead feeling safe, the Cardinals just simply need more points.

Malik Cunningham is having a strong season as Louisvilles dual-threat quarterback. He only has eight touchdown passes, but he leads the ACC with 10 rushing scores. Cunningham also has 8.4 yards per attempt and has only thrown two interceptions.

The last two weeks, Cunningham has averaged 11.4 yards per pass with five total touchdowns. Its hard looking at those numbers and asking for more, but it will be necessary if Louisvilles defense doesnt improve.

Cunningham will be facing his toughest opponent of the first eight weeks in a game thats really a must win for the Cardinals. Boston College is ranked in the ACCs Top 5 in yards allowed, pass defense, rushing yards yielded and scoring defense.

The Eagles already have four wins and possess an easier schedule down the stretch than the Cardinals, making this matchup not as vital for Boston College to win as for Louisville. Over the next two weeks, the Cardinals visit No. 18 NC State and then host Clemson. They also end the season with No. 15 Kentucky.

That schedule makes beating Boston College to avoid a three-game losing streak almost imperative to finishing 6-6.

Prediction: Louisville 27, Boston College 24