By Dave Holcomb
SouthernPigskin.com

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Dave Holcomb previews Boston College and NC State.

In a normal season, Boston College senior quarterback Dennis Grosel showed enough promise in the teams matchup against Clemson for the pundits to remain optimistic about the rest of the 2021 Eagles season.

But this isnt a normal year. Clemson is down — unranked for the first time since 2014. So Grosel, who may start the rest of the 2021 season because of Phil Jurkovecs injured hand, throwing two interceptions and failing to take advantage of multiple opportunities in a 19-13 loss to the Tigers isnt so promising.

He may fare no better this Saturday against NC State, who beat Clemson and may have the ACCs best defense. But Boston Colleges defense isnt too shabby either, and both programs will showcase top ACC running backs too.

Those two backs are Pat Garwo III of Boston College and Zonovan Knight from NC State — both of whom average more than 92 rushing yards per game. They are also ranked in the ACCs top 10 in yards from scrimmage.

NC State actually utilizes two running backs pretty equally with Knight splitting carries with Ricky Person Jr. Both are averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry, and together, they post more than 180 yards from scrimmage per contest.

As good as Person has been, Knight should arguably receive even more opportunities in the ground game. Knight is second with a 6.5 yards per carry average among ACC running backs with at least 70 attempts.

Garwo isnt far behind him. Hes averaged 6.4 yards per rush with 73 attempts. Garwo has outgained Knight on the ground but very narrowly, 469-462.

Garwo must have a big game for Boston College to beat No. 22 NC State. Against the Tigers, the sophomore running back only rushed for 57 yards, and that wasnt nearly enough to win at Clemson. Granted, Boston College only gave him 12 attempts.

Look for the Eagles to use Garwo even more coming off their bye week. Unless they fall behind early, theres no reason to have Grosel attempt 40 passes while Garwo has just 12 rushes as was the case versus Clemson.

Of course, NC State has a distinct advantage behind center, giving them the opportunity to get ahead of Boston College early Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Dennis Leary has been a very good game manager for the Wolfpack this season. He averages 7.0 yards per pass and 256.6 passing yards per game. Hes outside the top seven in each category among ACC quarterbacks.

But Leary has 12 touchdowns versus only two interceptions. The only other ACC signal caller with more than eight touchdown passes and less than three picks is Pitts Kenny Pickett.

Knight and Leary present a formidable challenge for Boston College even at home, but the Eagles defense will be one of the best units NC State faces this season. The Eagles are third in points allowed and fourth in yards yielded per game.

NC State excels defensively as well. The Wolfpack is ranked first in yards allowed and second in points yielded per contest. Both defenses are also in the ACCs top 5 at stopping the run. NC State is first in run defense with 92.0 yards allowed per contest.

So while the team that runs the ball better will probably win this weekends matchup, both squads will have to be patient with their running attacks. Punting isnt a bad thing in a game where two defenses are combining to allow under 33 points per week.

NC State and Boston College have played some thrilling games in recent years. In three of their last four matchups, the contest was decided by seven points or fewer.

But with the status of the Atlantic division, theres potential for an even more thrilling affair between these two programs this Saturday. The Atlantic appears wide open, and NC State must win at Chestnut Hill to keep pace with Wake Forest.

NC State became an immediate favorite to win the Atlantic division after its win against Clemson, but thats the only ACC contest the Wolfpack have played through six weeks. The only other game in which NC State has played a Power 5 opponent this season was a 24-10 loss to Mississippi State.

So the Wolfpack has plenty still to prove, and while they are the only other team in the Atlantic besides Wake Forest without a loss, the Demon Deacons hold a 4-0 ACC record as opposed to NC States 1-0 mark.

Boston College sits at 0-1 in the conference but arent out of the race with only one loss. But two defeats to begin the ACC schedule will not give the Eagles a realistic chance in the Atlantic. Boston College definitely wants to avoid falling out of a fun division race in a season where the Atlantic division crown could truly come down to the wire.

Prediction: NC State 14, Boston College 10