Virginia slight favorite against visiting BC

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia, hoping to get off to a 4-1 start for the first time since 2019, is a 2.5-point favorite against visiting Boston College this Saturday (noon, ACC Network).

The Eagles, who improved to 4-1 after rallying from behind last week against underdog Western Kentucky, have dominated the all-time series with Virginia. BC, now coached by Bill O’Brien, trailed Western Kentucky by a 20-7 count heading into the fourth quarter before coming back to win 21-20 at Chestnut Hill.

O’Brien, the former head coach of the NFL’s Houston Texans and Penn State, had to rely on backup quarterback Grayson James to win the game. James, who transferred to BC from Florida International, started in place of versatile Thomas Castellanos, who was sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

Castellanos’ status for the Virginia game was unknown as of Monday evening.

James, who passed for 1,969 yards and 11 touchdowns during his sophomore season at FIU in 2022, played only three games last season. James was shaky against Western Kentucky, making bad decisions, particularly in the passing game, but pulled out the win in the end. He found Jerand Bradley for an 8-yard touchdown pass late in the game to lift the Eagles into the lead.

James was 19 of 32 for 168 yards and was intercepted once in the victory. He also ran for a TD.

“We have to do better,” O’Brien said afterward. “We can play better. We have to start faster. We’ve got a chance to have a good football team, but we have to show up and be ready to go right from the get-go.”

BC trailed 7-0 after the first quarter, 17-7 at the half and 20-7 heading into the final quarter.

Western passed for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns in the game.