Georgia Tech-Boston College: Eagles to watch

The Eagles are not missing many meals.

B.C.’s senior starting defensive tackles, Ron Brace (6-3, 324 pounds) and B.J. Raji (6-1, 323), are big and talented, with future NFL careers. You wouldn’t remember Raji from last season; he sat out for academic reasons.

Brace was tabbed preseason All-ACC.

Middle linebacker Mike McLaughlin goes 6-feet, 252, and outside linebackers Brian Toal and Mark Herzlich are both 238 pounds. Safeties Paul Anderson (6-1, 211) and Wes Davis (6-1, 215) are not lightweights, either.

There are three 311-plus pounders on the offensive line. Plus, quarterback Chris Crane is 6-4, 239, fullback James McCluskey 6-2, 246, wide receiver Clarence Megwa 6-1, 216. With short-yardage linebacker-turned fullback Brian Toal, B.C. has some beef at skill positions.

“Chris runs a decent 40 [-yard dash] and it’s like having another tight end back there,” senior tight end Ryan Purvis told reporters before the season.

Who needs a two-platoon system?

Boston College senior linebacker Brian Toal joined the Eagles as a touted recruit, and began his career brilliantly. But neck and shoulder injuries made his career miserable at times.

After taking a medical redshirt last season to have surgery on a torn labrum, he is getting serious payback now, playing both ways.

Toal had seven tackles and a pass breakup in B.C.’s 21-0 win last Saturday against Kent State. He also rushed four times for 11 yards while working as a short-yardage fullback. Truth be told, that wasn’t new.

Although primarily a linebacker, where Toal is a member of the preseason All-ACC squad, he rushed 18 times and scored six touchdowns in 2006.

The 6-foot, 238-pounder from Wyckoff, N.J., was the Big East Rookie of the Year in 2004.

In sum: Dude’s a ballplayer.

Toal is listed as a weakside ‘backer, but the Jackets’ offensive formation doesn’t have a weak side. So Tech A-backs Roddy Jones, Lucas Cox, Greg Smith, Embry Peeples will frequently be tasked with blocking Toal.

Heat off the bench

Boston College outside linebacker Kevin Akins doesn’t start, but he may be an issue in passing situations. Akins often enters the game to rush the passer. His 12.5 sacks are second among active ACC players, and slightly ahead of B.C. junior end and teammate Alex Albright Jr., who had one last Saturday against Kent State.

Here’s a look at the ACC’s active leaders:

Player, class School Sacks

Clint Sintim, Sr. Virginia 16

Kevin Akins, Sr. Boston College 12.5

Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Jr. Virginia 12

Alex Albright, Jr. Boston College 10.5

Michael Johnson, Sr. Georgia Tech 10

Vance Walker, Sr. Georgia Tech 10

Everette Brown, Jr. Florida State 9.5

Darryl Richard, GS Georgia Tech 9.5

Ricky Sapp, Jr. Clemson 9

Alphonso Smith, Sr. Wake Forest 9

Jeremy Navarre, Sr. Maryland 9

GS = graduate student.

Disciplined Eagles

Boston College has at least one thing Tech coach Paul Johnson would like to have: an absence of penalties or turnovers.

The Eagles were not flagged against Kent State, and had no turnovers.

Tech was penalized six times for 70 yards against Jacksonville State, and four were the kind that stick in your throat.

There were two chop blocks (one of which was a dubious call at best) that cost the Jackets 15 yards each time, a false start by reserve lineman Zach Krish on fourth-and-short when the Jackets were going for it, and a late hit by middle linebacker Brad Jefferson.

Making that one worse, Jefferson was injured on the play, forcing him out of today’s game.

Tech lost two of five fumbles against JSU.

That could a problem. Boston College tied Nevada last season for the most takeaways in the nation, 37. The Eagles had three takeaways against Kent State.

Young men, old men

Fourteen of 22 starters in Tech’s season opener were freshmen or sophomores. By contrast, 15 of B.C.’s starters were upperclassmen, including nine on defense.