A federal push that could reshape college athletics moved a step closer this week, and Boston College has reason to pay close attention.
The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act by a 77-22 vote, though the bill still needs House approval, which appears unlikely. Even so, two parts of the legislation stand out for BC and the broader sport: a cap on conference size and a national NIL framework.
On realignment, the Senate version would limit the largest conferences to 20 schools. That could matter as the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 keep sorting through expansion. Earlier versions of the bill had the limit at 19 before an amendment raised it to 20.
The NIL section would replace the current patchwork of state rules with a federal system. It would give athletes a national right to earn NIL compensation, add more transparency around deals and require certain third-party and associated-entity payments to count toward revenue-sharing limits. It also includes protections against predatory agent contracts and would cap agent fees.
Bill O'Brien has already spoken this week about the Protect College Sports Act and has previously backed federal action aimed at bringing more order to college athletics. For Boston College, the conference-size provision could end up being just as important as the NIL language if Congress ever turns the bill into law.
In a lighter development, Flutie Flakes are headed back to store shelves. Tops Markets said it will stock the cereal again beginning Sunday, October 4, reviving the product that first debuted during the 1998 NFL season when Doug Flutie was captivating Buffalo.
The cereal was never just a novelty. Sales have helped support the Doug Flutie Jr.
Foundation for Autism, and Flutie Flakes have raised nearly $50 million for the foundation since their launch. Flutie will also be back in Western New York this weekend, with a Saturday meet-and-greet at the Tops location in Hamburg, New York, before serving as honorary captain for the Buffalo Bills’ game against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Boston College’s trip to Dallas also comes with a few numbers that tell the story of the challenge ahead. SMU is averaging 550.8 yards per game, including 392.5 passing yards per game, which leads the nation. The Mustangs have topped 479 total yards in every game this season and are averaging 7.8 yards per snap.
They’ve also been efficient on third down, converting 26 of 50 chances, or 52 percent, while opponents have managed just 11 conversions in 54 tries, a 20.4 percent clip. SMU has piled up 12 sacks through four games and has allowed only four, though seven of those sacks came last week against Missouri State. One bit of trivia attached to that number: the last time SMU had seven sacks in a game was against BC last year.
And at Ford Stadium since 2019, the Mustangs are 37-6.
Boston College also got a clearer picture of its health situation Wednesday evening when it released its first ACC availability report ahead of Saturday’s game. Nine Eagles are listed as unavailable, with two more questionable.
Among the more notable names out is linebacker Bodie Kahoun, who will miss another game after getting hurt against Rutgers. BC has leaned on Zacari Thomas and Kemori Dixon for extra snaps with Kahoun sidelined.
The matchup itself will pit No. 21 SMU, 3-1, against Boston College, 2-2, after the Eagles’ 21-14 loss to Virginia Tech last weekend.
For a BC flashback, Oct. 1, 2022 was a wild one at Alumni Stadium. Boston College beat Louisville 34-33 for its first ACC win of that season.
Phil Jurkovec went 18 of 21 for 304 yards and three touchdowns, but Zay Flowers stole the show with five catches for 151 yards and two scores. It was his third career game with at least 150 receiving yards.
BC still had to sweat the finish. Trailing 33-31 in the fourth quarter, Jurkovec broke free for a 33-yard run that set up Connor Lytton’s go-ahead 26-yard field goal, and the Eagles held on through Louisville’s final possession to escape with the one-point win.
In Other News...
Boston College Heads To SMU With A Defensive Concern Growing
Boston College heads to No. 21 SMU on Saturday carrying a few familiar personnel questions, and the latest ACC availability report only sharpened the concern on defense. The Eagles are 2-2 as they prepare for the trip to Gerald J. Ford Stadium, but the list of unavailable players includes defensive back Cameron Martinez and defensive tackle Chris Marable Jr., leaving the group short on depth before it gets a major road test.
Linebacker Bodie Kahoun remains unavailable, continuing a stretch that has forced Boston College to adjust without one of its defensive pieces. The report also listed Torrence and Clough as questionable, adding another layer of uncertainty as the Eagles try to sort out who will be available against an SMU team ranked 21st and playing at home. [Read more 🡒]
Boston College Has A Mason McKenzie Problem It Must Solve Fast
Four weeks into the season, Boston Colleges offense is still searching for answers, and Mason McKenzie has become one of the clearest signs of how much the Eagles are leaning on their quarterback to keep things moving. McKenzie ranks 12th nationally in rushing attempts and is second among quarterbacks with 74 carries, a workload that reflects both his ability to create with his legs and the pressure on BC to manufacture offense any way it can. Bill OBrien has already acknowledged the need for the unit to get better, and the numbers back up the concern: the Eagles have struggled to score, complete passes and pile up yards in ACC play.
The timing is tough, too, because Southern Methodist brings a very different kind of challenge. Kevin Jennings and the Mustangs have a passing game that can stress a defense quickly, which means Boston College may need its own offense to do more than simply survive drives and hope McKenzie can extend plays. For the Eagles, the immediate question is whether they can find a more balanced answer before the season slips further away. [Read more 🡒]
Boston College Volleyball Faces Its Toughest ACC Reality Check Yet
Boston Colleges first week of ACC volleyball gave the Eagles a little of everything, and now the schedule turns far less forgiving. After opening conference play with a win over Notre Dame and then running into a much harsher night against Louisville, the Eagles are back at home for another difficult stretch that will test how much of that early momentum can carry into the leagues upper tier.
The next few days bring a different kind of measuring stick, with two of the conferences highest-ranked teams coming to Chestnut Hill. Boston College has already shown it can compete in spots, and the individual numbers from recent matches suggest there is enough talent to make things interesting, but the larger question now is whether that can hold up when the opponent quality keeps climbing and the pressure comes fast. [Read more 🡒]