When Al Golden’s Miami Hurricanes take home field in Sun Life Stadium on November 25th versus the Boston College Eagles, they will do so as the team wondering about the season that got away. The ‘canes have been launched into the college football wilderness this season by tight losses to teams like Virginia Tech and Kansas State.

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The killer for the ‘canes has been on the defensive side of the ball even though the offense has competed inconsistently sometimes. Strong to great qb pressure from senior defensive end Marcus Robinson and freshman eye-popper Anthony Chickillo has been compromised by an injury-riddled defensive tackle unit that cannot stop the run.

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Include a secondary that’s produced simply two interceptions this season, and it’s not surprising Miami rates 51st among Division I teams, giving up 372.1 yards per game. Quarterback Jacory Harris has what the team needs to make the offense hum, but does his defense watch his back?

Like the under-performing Hurricanes, Frank Spaziani’s Eagles fell apart into a 3-7 catastrophe after they began the season with their head coach whispering Orange Bowl dreams into their ears. Their only hope of post-season bowl competition is the local bowling alley now that they currently own a dismal ranking of fifth in the ACC Atlantic division.

The biggest handicap on the offensive side of the ball for the Eagles has been the loss of their top playmaker, senior running back Montel Harris. It hasn’t helped that sophomore qb Chase Rettig has stalled in his progression. Defensively, this unit has been left with a pitiful team defense ranking of 89 among Division I teams because of a absence of depth in the secondary and the loss of senior defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey.

Boston College managed a win in their last outing versus North Carolina State, but they won’t win this one. Iif they do not do it the week before versus South Florida, look for the ‘canes to become bowl eligible on the 25th. And look for them to do it big.