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Boston College aims for return to ACC title game

Nov 29, 2008 - 12:09 PM Maryland (7-4) at (22) Boston College (8-3), 3:30 pm EST

CHESTNUT HILL, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- After two straight impressive road wins, Boston College has a chance to clinch a second straight berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game at home.

The 22nd-ranked Eagles (8-3, 4-3) can wrap up another Atlantic Division title on Saturday with a victory over unpredictable Maryland.

But the Golden Eagles likely will have to do it without starting quarterback Chris Crane, who suffered a broken collarbone in last week's 24-21 win over Wake Forest.

Boston College's ACC hopes appeared over following a 27-21 loss to Clemson on November 1, which dropped its record to 2-3 in conference.

However, the Eagles responded with wins at Florida State (27-17) and Wake Forest (24-21). Backup quarterback Dominique Davis scored on a 1-yard run with 72 seconds remaining last Saturday to give the Eagles the victory over the Demon Deacons.

Now, a 5-3 conference slate will be enough to put Boston College back in the ACC title game. The Eagles would share the division crown with Florida State, but would win the tiebreaker based on their victory over the Seminoles.

Davis likely will make the start after completing 13-of-23 passes for 103 yards last week in relief of Crane.

The redshirt freshman overcame two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns to march the Eagles 70 yards in the final five minutes.

Maryland (7-4, 4-3) continued its bizarre up-and-down campaign by getting routed at home last week, 37-3, by Florida State. The Terrapins are 4-0 against ranked teams this season but 3-4 against unranked opponents.

The loss, Maryland's first at home this year, ended the Terrapins' ACC title hopes.

"It just boggles my mind how we played so poorly in such a big game," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said last Saturday.

The Terrapins have now been reduced to the role of spoiler. If Maryland beats Boston College, Florida State will back into the Coastal Division title.

The Terrapins defeated Boston College, 42-35, last season as Chris Turner passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns.