The result didn’t help Drinkwitz’s memory either. The Tigers fought back and forced overtime, but lost 41-34 and had to watch as thousands of Boston College fans stormed the field.
“The game was tough for a lot of different reasons,” said Drinkwitz, whose No. 6 Tigers have a rematch against the No. 24 Eagles on Saturday. “I didn’t think we played particularly well. There was a lot of buzz around the game because of my comments. I learned a tough lesson there as a head coach. And of course the emotional swings – we came back, tied it, they scored in overtime, we threw an interception in overtime. It was the first time I had to deal with a crowd rushing the field.”
Today things look very different at both schools.
The Tigers (2-0) were still rebuilding at the time, but are now in the conversation for the College Football Playoffs. They won 11 games last year and have not conceded a point in two games this season, a first for the team since 1935.
Boston College (2-0) is also different. Bill O’Brien is back in college football after working as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator last season. The former Penn State coach has already recorded a road win against Florida State and a victory over Duquesne.
“This is the best team we play. No question about it. Honestly, probably the best team we’ve played in years as far as BC goes,” O’Brien said. “When you win a few games, every game becomes more important. I think that’s the cool thing about college football. … That’s what these guys have to understand. Every game gets harder.”
Health check
Missouri receiver Luther Burden III, who left last week’s game in the second quarter due to illness, and wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., who made 10 catches for 149 yards despite a sore hip, are both probable, Drinkwitz said this week. Tight end Brett Norfleet (shoulder) and cornerback Ja’Marion Wayne (hamstring) were questionable.
Survey monitoring
Boston College entered the AP Top 25 this week for the first time since Nov. 11, 2018, achieving its earliest season ranking since 2005, when it was ranked No. 22 in the preseason poll.
“This program won,” O’Brien reminded reporters this week. “It’s not like this program has never won before.”
Known enemy
Boston College running back Treshaun Ward played last season for Kansas State, which lost to the Tigers on a run at Faurot Field. Ward has carried the ball 20 times for 132 yards and scored one touchdown.
Dink and Dunk
Missouri has one of the strongest wide receiver groups in the SEC, especially when Burden and Wease are at their best. Opponents have noticed this and are forcing quarterback Brady Cook to make short passes instead of long throws down the field.
“Teams don’t want to allow explosive plays against our wide receivers, so we have to be ready to make them defend us differently,” Drinkwitz said. “Our offensive team has done a good job of figuring out what their defensive plan is for us and then finding something – whether it was in the game plan or not – that will defeat this or that.”
Spotlight on Columbia
The Boston College-Missouri game is the only one Saturday that features two highly ranked teams, although No. 20 Arizona travels to No. 14 Kansas State on Friday night. That means a lot of attention will be on Columbia, where the Tigers have won 18 straight home games, tying the school record set from 2005-12.
“We need all the advantages we can get,” Drinkwitz said. “This is a really good football team. They’re obviously battle-tested, with their road win against Florida State, and they’re very polished as a team.”
