The Only Top 25 Matchup on Saturday – No. 24 Boston College vs No. 6 Missouri: Preview and Final Prediction
College football's spotlight will shine squarely on Columbia, Missouri this Saturday for the only Top 25 matchup on the slate, as the No. 24 Boston College Eagles travel to take on the No. 6 Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field. This highly anticipated contest pits two teams with postseason aspirations, and both have been riding early-season momentum into what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
For Boston College, this game marks their third Top 25 opponent in their last four games, highlighting the Eagles’ recent string of matchups against elite competition. The team, under first-year head coach Bill O’Brien, has quickly turned heads after an impressive 28-13 victory over No. 10 Florida State in their opener and a commanding 56-0 shutout of Duquesne. Their return to the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2018 has set the stage for a potentially defining season.
Missouri, ranked No. 6, enters the game as the favorite, carrying its own ambitions of a deep postseason run. The Tigers have displayed an imposing defense and a balanced offense through the early weeks of the season, making this matchup pivotal for both teams as they look to establish national credibility.
The Stakes for Boston College
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Eagles, who are on the verge of cementing themselves as a legitimate contender in college football. A victory against Missouri would give them their second win over a Top 10 opponent in just three weeks. Head coach Bill O’Brien is keeping his team focused on the task at hand, though.
“Boston loves a winner, and I think we have to continue to play good football,” O’Brien said in a recent press conference. "We’ve talked about winning it up front. BC, the tradition of offensive line and defensive lines—we won the game up front against Florida State. We established the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball."
For Boston College, this game is a chance to prove that their resurgence is no fluke and to show they belong among the nation's best programs.
Current Line: Boston College +16.5 (O/U 54.0)
Chance Of Winning: 23.4%
According to ESPN Analytics, Boston College has a 23.4% chance of winning this game. Missouri is favored by 16.5 points, but Boston College has shown resilience in its ability to rise to the occasion against elite teams. The over/under line suggests a moderately high-scoring affair, though the strength of both defenses could lead to a lower point total than anticipated (in-regulation, see prediction below).
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Final Score: Boston College Wins 38-36 in Double Overtime
Prediction: In a dramatic game that lives up to its billing, Boston College will shock Missouri in a thrilling double-overtime battle, winning 38-36. After both teams score in the first overtime, the Eagles will convert a critical two-point attempt in the second overtime, while Missouri will fail to do so. Thomas Castellanos will account for three touchdowns—two passing and one rushing—while Treshaun Ward will add a crucial late-game score. Kam Arnold and Donovan Ezeiruaku will come up with big plays in the clutch to help the Eagles hold off Missouri and secure the upset.
What to Watch For
Thomas Castellanos’ Continued Development
All eyes will be on junior quarterback Thomas Castellanos, whose dual-threat ability has been the driving force behind Boston College’s offense. Castellanos has thrown for 340 yards and six touchdowns with a 73.1% completion rate. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs will be crucial against a formidable Missouri defense.
O’Brien has praised his quarterback’s growth: “Tommy’s had a really good training camp. He’s put a lot of work into this, and he’s a much-improved player.”
Castellanos’ composure and performance against Missouri’s defense, which is ranked No. 1 in total defense, will be key to Boston College’s chances.
Battle in the Trenches
The clash between Boston College’s offensive line, led by Drew Kendall and Ozzy Trapilo, and Missouri’s defensive front will be one of the game’s defining matchups. Missouri’s defense has stifled opponents all season, allowing just 127 total yards per game. Boston College’s line will need to create running lanes for Kye Robichaux and Treshaun Ward while giving Castellanos enough time to make plays.
O’Brien emphasized the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage: “You have to win it up front. Missouri has a great defense, but we’re going to do everything we can to establish control at the line of scrimmage.”
Containing Missouri’s Star Receiver Luther Burden III
Missouri’s offense is powered by quarterback Brady Cook and standout wide receiver Luther Burden III, who is projected as a first-round NFL pick and is considered one of the best athletes in college football. Burden has been a game-changer for Missouri and will be the biggest challenge for Boston College’s secondary. The Eagles’ defense, led by Kam Arnold and Amari Jackson, will need to slow Burden down to keep the Tigers’ passing game in check.
“Missouri has a great quarterback in Brady Cook, and we’re going to need to be at our best defensively to slow him down,” O’Brien noted.
Special Teams and Red-Zone Efficiency
Special teams and red-zone efficiency will be key, especially in what could be a close game. Boston College kicker Luca Lombardo has only attempted extra points this year (12 for12), and the Eagles will need him to remain sharp. The Eagles punting and coverage unit is still looking to find some consistency after a few shanked punts and some missed assignments in their first two games.
On the other side, Missouri will be looking to capitalize on red-zone opportunities and keep the pressure on Boston College’s defense. This game will could come down to a few plays, and whichever team can execute - especially in the red-zone, will likely come out on top.
Through only six quarters of football this year, Thomas Castellanos has 6 touchdowns and has completed 100% of his passes in the red-zone.
This entire game will be determined by who will be able to execute when it matters most.
How To Watch The Game:
Game Time: 12:45 PM ET, Saturday, September 14th, 2024
Where to Watch: The game will be broadcast on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), and Alyssa Lang (sideline reporter).
Radio Coverage: Coverage on the Boston College Sports Network begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff on WEEI 850 AM. Jon Meterparel (play-by-play) will be joined by former BC linebacker Pete Cronan in the booth and quarterback Scott Mutryn on the sideline.
As the only Top 25 matchup on Saturday, this game promises to be a defining moment for both programs. Boston College, under Bill O’Brien’s leadership, has the chance to prove they are ready to compete with the nation’s elite, while Missouri aims to continue its march toward the College Football Playoff. With so much at stake, college football fans can expect a highly entertaining and competitive game.
Boston College Football Fans (BCFF) will be covering the game live on X / Twitter!
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Mac Hutchinson is the publisher of BCFF, you can follow him on X/Twitter.
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