Boston College can't handle the Hokies

Despite a tremendous third quarter performance, Boston College fell to Virginia Tech on Thursday night in a game that wasn't even as close as the score of 42-21 showed.

Quarterback Thomas Castellanos fumbled three times and lost two of them, in addition to another BC fumble and two turnovers on downs, to give Virginia Tech far too many possessions to stay in the game. Boston College came out of halftime with momentum and scored 21 points in the third period, but ultimately fell far short to make this game a must-win.

Potentially more damaging to the Eagles were the 28 points they gave up before finding their way onto the scoreboard in the third quarter. For the second year in a row, Boston College decided to only play half the football, and that won't be possible in the ACC.

This slow start could be directly attributed to Boston College's first three possessions – consecutive fumbles and a punt. At this point, VT was already three points ahead and the game was already set.

Head coach Bill O'Brien spoke about the turnover issues after the game.

“We can’t turn it around,” O’Brien said of his halftime message to the team. “It gives the game away… I have to make it clear to the team what it takes to win. She doesn't understand, so I have to train her better. The coaching staff needs to do a better job.”

To put it bluntly: nothing easy. It was pointed out earlier this week that Boston College needed this win if it wanted to control its own destiny. The path that lies ahead can be described in one word: brutal.

With the next three games against Louisville, Syracuse and SMU, there is a realistic possibility that Boston College will be out five games at the crucial point of the season. At this point, Boston College would be 4-6 heading into matchups against North Carolina and Pitt – certainly a suboptimal spot.

The key for the future will be consistency. At no point in the last two competitions has BC played a similar style of football quarter after quarter, and at this point in the year that can no longer be part of a winning formula. The outlook is bleak, but despite everything there is window Fow Bowl entitlement. If BC can get a win in the next three contests, the postseason should still be in play, even if it is a backmarker bowl game.