Matchup May Point To Title Ohio State, Boston College Square Off In Kickoff Classic

The Kickoff Classic won’t kick off the college football season this year. Recent history indicates it could kick off a national championship season for the winner.

No. 12 Ohio State plays No. 22 Boston College at Giants Stadium on Sunday, one day after No. 14 Michigan and No. 17 Virginia open the season in the Pigskin Classic at Ann Arbor.

While some schools have turned down invitations to the Kickoff Classic because it lengthens an already long season, the early start didn’t hurt Florida State in 1993 or Nebraska in 1994. Both teams used shutout victories in the game as a springboard to a national title. Florida State beat Kansas 42-0 and Nebraska defeated West Virginia 31-0.

“I sure hope we’re not lining up against the national champions,” Boston College coach Dan Henning said Friday.

Ohio State coach John Cooper likes to start the season early.

“It gives you extra practice time,” he said, “and I think it makes you a better team down the stretch. As far as I’m concerned, it’s nothing but a positive. The only negative would be if we got a major injury.”

Henning, a former NFL coach in his second season at Boston College, said it’s more difficult preparing for a season opener in college than in the pros.

“There’s more anxiety because there’s so much change from year to year,” he said. “You’re not exactly sure what you have and you’re not exactly sure what your opponent has.”

Henning has 13 starters back from a 7-4-1 team that beat Kansas State in the Aloha Bowl. Seven of those starters are linemen, which means the Eagles should once again be tough in the trenches.

“I don’t think we lost any games in the trenches last year,” All-Big East offensive tackle Pete Kendall said. “You may beat us, but you’re not going to overpower us.”

Kendall, slowed during preseason practice by a hamstring injury, will be tested by Ohio State’s veteran defensive line. The Buckeyes return their entire front four, including sack specialists Matt Finkes and Mike Vrabel. The junior ends combined for 23 sacks last season as the Buckeyes went 9-4.

“Those two guys can really play,” said Kendall, who didn’t allow a sack last season. “It’s going to be a huge test for me.”

Another challenge will be containing Ohio State’s diverse offensive attack. Quarterback Bobby Hoying tied a school record with 19 touchdown passes last season, while tailback Eddie George rushed for 1,442 yards, fifth best in school history.

Boston College also has a good 1-2 punch. Quarterback Mark Hartsell had a 62 percent completion rate as a first-year starter, and running back Justice Smith could become the Eagles’ fourth straight 1,000-yard rusher.

Extra points

Kendall hates the new NCAA rules cracking down on player celebrations. “It’s an absolute farce,” he said. “The NCAA has gone way overboard. You can’t even kneel down in the end zone and say a prayer after you score a touchdown. It’s ridiculous.” … Boston College and Notre Dame are the only Catholic schools that play Division I-A football. “That helps us,” Henning said. “We’ve got the pope recruiting for us.”