Sports

Who will start at quarterback for Boston College in season opener?

CHESTNUT HILL — Boston College opens the season against Georgia Tech in Dublin this Saturday, and head coach Steve Addazio has not yet announced who will start at quarterback.

Darius Wade and Patrick Towles are the two top candidates to get the nod. Wade was injured against Florida State last season and missed the rest of the season. Towles transferred from Kentucky and is eligible to play as a fifth-year graduate senior.

"I think they've both had a great camp," said Addazio. They're throwing the ball well, they're leading the offense well. I've got confidence in both of those guys. At different times, they're all had their moments of really performing at a high level so I feel much better going into the season knowing that we have two guys that, really, are game ready."

Towles is considered by many to be the favorite to start this Saturday in a game that kicks off at 7:30am (EST). He has been most consistent during training camp and has experience under center.

"It's more about the 'it' than not at that position," said Addazio, "If you're wondering if the guys got 'it,' than I guess he doesn't have 'it.' That's what that position's all about."

Georgia Tech enters the week a 3 1/2 point favorite over the Eagles. Both teams finished 2015 with 3-9 records, with one conference win between them.

"A team that's just two years away from the ACC Championship Game," said Addazio. "They too, like us, had a bunch of injuries last year and that ended up with a disappointing season, but they've got some fantastic football players on their team."

The Yellow Jackets run a wishbone offense, difficult to defend and difficult to prepare for this early in the season.

"We all know this offense is a tough offense to go against," said Addazio. "It will keep you on the field and limit your possessions for your own offense and can really grind you out if you don't have the opportunity to get them off the field."

BC is a year older, a year bigger and a year more mature, but the bulk of the roster is still young and mistakes are bound to happen. Limiting those mistakes will be the difference in close games.

"I've been a part of a lot of opening games," said Addazio. "It's just hard to anticipate what guys will do their first time under the lights."

The team will fly from Boston to Ireland Tuesday night at 10pm, and hit the field for practice upon landing.

"Our goal was to get as much done as we could before we left, which we've done," said Addazio. "The trip is a long trip and we practice when we get there. The sleep you get is the sleep you got on the plane, in an effort to get you adjusted to the time change. It's not a great recovery. It's not like you're sleeping in a great bed and waking up fresh the next day."