FACTS & STATS: Site: Alumni Stadium (44,500) -- Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: NC State 2-3, BC 4-1. Away Record: NC State 2-1, BC 2-2. Neutral Record: NC State 0-0, BC 0-0. Conference Record: NC State 2-4, BC 3-3. Series Record: Series is tied, 1-1.

GAME NOTES: ACC foes will collide in Chestnut Hill this weekend as the Boston College Eagles play host to the NC State Wolfpack. This season has been somewhat disappointing for NC State, as it owns a mediocre 4-4 overall record and a disappointing 2-4 mark in ACC action. There is reason for optimism among the fan base however, as the club has captured back-to-back victories. The most recent triumph was unexpected, as Chuck Amato's team knocked off Florida State on the road by a 20-15 score, and the team now needs two wins in the final three games to earn bowl eligibility. With Middle Tennessee and Maryland remaining after this weekend's tilt, NC State certainly has a legitimate chance of reaching the six-win plateau. As for Boston College, it has suffered back-to-back defeats to fall to 6-3 overall, and the recent slide has knocked the club out of the top-25 poll. The Eagles were upset by North Carolina last weekend, 16-14, and they are now an even 3-3 in league play. The good news is that they are already bowl eligible and can only strengthen their postseason prospects from this point on. The all-time series between NC State and Boston College is tied at 1-1, but the programs haven't met since 1937.

The NC State offense can best be described as mediocre, as the club is averaging 343.1 total ypg and 22.6 ppg. The ground attack has been lackluster, accounting for 129.4 ypg on 3.7 ypc, but there is a big-time threat in the backfield in the person of freshman tailback Andre Brown. Although he has only played six games and carried the ball a mere 71 times, Brown has compiled 469 yards on 6.6 ypc. and brings an element of explosiveness to the offense. Quarterback Jay Davis has had a rough season, as he has thrown six touchdowns against eight interceptions, and none of his receivers have reached the 30- catch mark. That led the coaches to promote Marcus Stone to starting quarterback two weeks ago. With 20 turnovers and a 27 percent success rate on third down conversion attempts, there is obviously plenty of room for the offense to improve. In the five-point victory over Florida State last time out, Stone threw only 17 passes and completed nine for 85 yards. While those numbers aren't great by any means, he did not throw an interception and did have a touchdown pass. Brown stole the show, as the rookie rushed for 179 yards on 26 carries, including a 65-yard run in the first quarter. NC State won despite a 2-of-15 showing on third down conversion attempts.

NC State's defense continues to play well on a weekly basis, and the squad is allowing only 20.6 ppg and 301.4 total ypg this season. While those numbers do not place the club among the national defensive leaders, the unit rarely looks overmatched. Stopping the run has been an obvious strength for the Wolfpack, as it is yielding only 115 ypg and 3.0 ypc. The pass defense has been equally impressive, as opposing quarterbacks have completed fewer than 50 percent of their passes with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Opponents have made good on just 24 percent of their third down conversion attempts, and the Wolfpack has generated 24 sacks. Stephen Tulloch has been a force for the defense, as he has made a stellar total of 98 tackles, including 11.5 for loss. The fact that NC State limited Florida State to 227 yards and 15 points last week is impressive. The Seminoles finished with 43 rushing yards and were 2-of-16 on third down conversion attempts. Also worthy of mention is that the Wolfpack recorded three interceptions.

Boston College has scored 29 offensive touchdowns in nine games, so their is some considerable ability on that side of the ball. L.V. Whitworth has been the backfield's biggest contributor, as he has carried the ball 126 times for 540 yards and three touchdowns. Andre Callender has posted 496 yards, and the sophomore duo gives the Eagles solid depth and versatility. As for the passing game, Quinton Porter has connected on 63.6 percent of his passes for 1,357 yards and nine touchdowns with only seven interceptions. While Porter lacks a game-breaking wideout, several players have proven capable of catching the ball and moving the chains. Porter split time with Matt Ryan in the loss to North Carolina, and the two combined to complete 26-of-40 passes for 237 yards without an interception. The ground attack was limited to 100 yards on 30 carries, and the Eagles finished with a mere 14 points despite committing zero turnovers.

The Eagles have been a strong defensive team this season, as they are surrendering only 16.0 ppg and 301.2 total ypg to opponents. Running the ball against BC has proven to be nearly impossible, as foes are gaining a mere 95.0 ypg on the ground on 2.7 ypc. The pass defense has yielded few big plays, as opponents are averaging a lowly 9.3 yards per completion. Although Boston College has posted a rather low total of 10 takeaways, the overall performance of the defense overshadows that lackluster stat. It is hard to blame the defense for the loss to North Carolina, as the unit was able to limit an ACC opponent to 16 points, including three in the second half.

Scoring will be difficult on both teams, as the Eagles and Wolfpack play tremendous defense. Give a narrow edge to Boston College because of the home field advantage, although a victory by NC State wouldn't be surprising.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Boston College 13, NC State 10