Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547434
44 NOV. 7, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED GAME PREVIEW: BOSTON COLLEGE Todd D. Burlage: Notre Dame 34, Boston College 13 In the preseason, Boston College was picked by the ACC media to finish 16th in the 17-team league. The Eagles were also assigned a preseason regular-season win total of 3.5 by oddsmakers. Well, under often-embattled third-year head coach Bill O'Brien, Boston College started the season 4-3 overall and had already secured upset wins in conference against Pittsburgh and at Georgia Tech. But trying to win at Notre Dame Stadium for the first time since 2007 — and to beat the Irish for the first time in the last 11 tries — will be too tough a challenge. Keep in mind, though, this game for the Irish falls in between their mar- quee matchups with Miami Nov. 7 and SMU Nov. 21. Steve Downey: Notre Dame 41, Boston College 17 The Eagles were competitive with the Irish last year and have since im- proved. Also, this game being sandwiched between matchups against ranked foes Miami and SMU presents an obvious challenge for Notre Dame's focus and energy. Boston College's surprising 4-3 start was fueled by senior quarterback Ma- son McKenzie's legs and an opportunistic defense. McKenzie was the Eagles' leading rusher through seven games with 614 rushing yards — many of which have come on scrambles — and 5 touchdowns, while the BC defense was tied for 15th nationally with 13 takeaways (10 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries). McKenzie, though, is prone to mistakes — 7 interceptions and 17 sacks taken — and the bet here is that Notre Dame's defensive front will make yards considerably harder to come by. Meanwhile, CJ Carr and the Irish are tied for first nationally with Army in fewest turnovers lost (2) and should be able to produce a balanced attack against a BC defense that was yielding 151.1 rushing yards per game. Eric Hansen: Notre Dame 31, Boston College 10 The Eagles' massive offseason changes — 53 newcomers on the roster and six newbies on Bill O'Brien's coaching staff — have helped BC upgrade from the 2-10 team it was in 2025. And none of the new additions has been more significant than portal pickup Mason McKenzie at quarterback, a Division II transfer from Saginaw Valley State. Last year's ACC bottom-feeders hung with the Irish until very late in an eventual 25-10 Irish win. McKenzie's running ability might set the stage for a sequel, especially after the Miami hangover, win or lose. But what once was a true rivalry — a 9-9 standoff at one point in the series — has become a Notre Dame monopoly. Notre Dame will make it 11 straight series wins Nov. 14. Tyler James: Notre Dame 42, Boston College 13 Boston College doesn't have a lot to hang its hat on from a statistical stand- point. The Eagles rely on running the ball on offense with quarterback Mason McKenzie at the center of the rushing attack. Boston College's defense relies on creating turnovers to keep games close. BC managed to give the Irish a tough fight last year, but Notre Dame won't take it easy on the Eagles in Notre Dame Stadium. Quarterback CJ Carr might throw an interception, but the Irish will move the ball with regularity and make this a laugher in the second half. Kyle Kelly: Notre Dame 48, Boston College 13 Last year's 2-10 Boston College team kept the deficit within one posses- sion until 11:07 remained in the fourth quarter. While the Eagles are much improved this year, the outcome will look different. The Irish should be able to build a comfortable halftime lead, giving them- selves much more breathing room ahead of a pivotal matchup with SMU. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 35, Boston College 10 This could be a tricky spot for Notre Dame. With this matchup against Boston College sandwiched between huge contests against Miami and SMU, the Eagles could give an unfocused Irish team some trouble. Boston College doesn't have nearly the talent Notre Dame has, but this is a team winning games in the ACC. I still like the Irish to win comfortably at home. Jack Soble: Notre Dame 45, Boston College 13 Against all odds, Bill O'Brien has built a competitive team with (reportedly) one of the smallest reported roster budgets among major-conference pro- grams. Boston College's 4-3 start is genuinely impressive, but a trip to South Bend in November does not typically go well for the visiting team. This won't be a laugher on par with Notre Dame's 70-7 victory against Syracuse last season, but it should be over quickly all the same. The Irish will either build on the momentum created by a win over Miami or take out their rage on the Eagles. Fifth-year kicker Luca Lombardo converted 6 of 8 field goal attempts through Boston College's first seven games, including a season-long 52-yarder at SMU. PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON COLLEGE bye week and facing an Eagles team that was 1-7 at the time, the Irish led just 12-7 at halftime and generally looked uninspired in all facets. The kicking game falling apart didn't help, but even if the Irish had made their field goals and extra points, they wouldn't have been thrilled with their performance. "I think everybody, myself, we all have thoughts of and preconceived notions of how you think a game is going to go based on preparation, based on the record, based on your rosters, and your game plan, and all different things," Freeman said in his Monday press conference following the win. "But it's a reminder [that] the game of football is always unpredictable, right?" At the time, Freeman chalked it up to a lesson learned. But he's also the type of coach who will use that experience a year later. Something along the lines of "Hey, these guys gave us a scare and they're way better now than they were then" might be in store for Notre Dame's players and coaches. Freeman will look for any motivational edge he can find, and he has one this week if he wants it. Advantage: Notre Dame Staff Predictions