USC-Boston College: Trojans Look Ahead to Emerald Bowl

While this has certainly been a season of disappointment for the USC Trojans, there is one last chance at redemption of sorts when the Trojans play the Boston College Eagles, Dec. 26 at AT&T park in San Francisco.

The historical reference we have for these two teams consists of exactly two games, in 1987 and 1988—both won by USC.

However, this is a preview of an upcoming home and home series that will start in 2013 with USC hosting the Eagles at the Coliseum.

Boston College, which finished 8-4 (5-3 in the ACC), features a staunch defense led by true freshman linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was named to the ACC first team defense and was declared the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

A hard-hitting ball hawk, Kuechly was unheralded at the season's start, but has blossomed throughout the year and has tons of potential.

Perhaps no game better represents Kuechly's talent than a Nov. 21 contest against North Carolina where Kuechly recorded an amazing 19 tackles, including 2.5 for losses.

Head coach Frank Spaziani, who took over the helm in 2009, had been a defensive coordinator at BC since 1999, where he produced such defensive stalwarts as Mathias Kiwanuka, now with the New York Giants, and B.J. Raji, now with the Green Bay Packers.

As head coach, Spaziani still has his handprint all over the BC defense, which allows 288 total yards per game, including a paltry 104 yards rushing.

For USC, which has had trouble all year long finding consistency in its offense, the Eagle defense presents a particularly difficult challenge in that they are tenacious and not afraid to take chances.

Meanwhile, the Eagle offense, though not prolific, still poses a formidable rushing threat led by sophomore running back Montel Harris, who, in his two years at BC, has run for over 2,000 yards.

This year, Harris has had seven games of over 100 yards, the first time this has been accomplished in Eagles' history.

Harris rushes behind a very good offensive line led by left tackle, Anthony Costonzo, an all-ACC first team member.

Montel Harris is a workhorse and the Trojan defense will see plenty of him all game long as the Eagles rely heavily on his running prowess.

For a running back who is such a large part of the Eagles offense, Harris is remarkably sure-handed as well.

In 513 career carries, Harris has lost a total of two fumbles, so USC can't count on any charity from him.

As if USC won't see enough of Harris in the typical Eagles offense, the running back is also the featured player in the Eagle version of the "Wildcat" offense, which is called the "Bazooka" by BC.

The Eagles passing attack is led by true freshman Dave Shinskie, who has been efficient, if not spectacular, in his first season with BC.

While Shinskie is a true freshman, he is no kid.

Dave Shinskie is 25 years old and plays with the poise that can be expected of a college player of that age.

Shinskie's favorite target is senior Rich Gunnell who had 179 receiving yards against Notre Dame.

While the Eagles offer a very good defense and an efficient offense, their strength may be in the special teams, where kicker Steve Aponavicius went 13-for-14 on field goal attempts and was perfect on all 37 PATs.

Punter Ryan Quigley averaged over 41 yards per attempt, good for third in the ACC.

Boston College, which comes into the Emerald Bowl having won three of its last four, will be pumped to play the mighty Trojans, and why not?

USC, which has had to suffer through a second-half-of-the-season collapse, will be playing in their first non-BCS bowl in seven years, and the fears around those who follow the program is that the Trojans will be uninspired to play this "also-ran" bowl on the 26th.

However, if the Trojans just plan on BC rolling over on the basis of their reputation, they better think again.

The Eagles, who were picked to finish last in the ACC, have exceeded expectations all year long.

This may include a victory in the Emerald Bowl where the Eagles will be an underdog.

But certainly not afraid.