Boston College Has One Weapon That Could Give SMU Real Problems
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The SMU offense will have a considerable statistical advantage when Boston College visits Ford Stadium on Saturday, but Kevin Jennings can’t treat the Eagles’ defense like an easy assignment.
Boston College has shown one trait that directly attacks one of SMU’s biggest weaknesses: the Eagles take the football away through the air.
MORE: SMU Looks To Stay Hot As Boston College Visits Ford Stadium
BC has intercepted six passes through four games, while Jennings enters Saturday with five interceptions despite directing one of college football’s most productive passing attacks.
Here are the Boston College defenders SMU needs to account for:
Anthony Palano | LB
Everything starts with Anthony Palano.
The Washington State transfer immediately became a centerpiece of Boston College’s defense and was named a team captain before playing his first game for the Eagles. He opened the season with 13 tackles against Cincinnati and erupted against Rutgers with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and two interceptions.
That performance earned Palano ACC Linebacker of the Week and Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors.
For Jennings, Palano’s ability to drop underneath passing lanes makes him particularly dangerous when SMU attacks the middle of the field.
KP Price | S
Jennings also needs to know where KP Price is before the snap.
The senior defensive back intercepted two passes against Maine, helping Boston College survive a 22-16 game. Price’s ability to capitalize on quarterbacks forcing throws makes him dangerous against an SMU offense that aggressively pushes the football downfield.
Marcus Upton | S
Marcus Upton has emerged as one of BC’s most dependable tacklers.
The sophomore recorded a career-high 10 tackles against Rutgers, followed with eight against Maine and added seven against Virginia Tech.
Against an offense featuring Yamir Knight and receivers who can create yards after the catch, Upton’s tackling becomes particularly important.
Max Tucker | CB
Veteran cornerback Max Tucker may draw one of Saturday’s most difficult assignments.
Tucker remains on Boston College’s active 2026 roster and has extensive starting experience. He also forced his first career fumble against Virginia Tech last week.
More importantly, he understands the challenge Jennings presents.
“He’s going to extend plays, so we’re going to have to cover for longer,” Tucker said this week.
That may define the matchup.
Boston College is allowing only 165.8 passing yards per game, but now encounters an SMU attack averaging nearly 400.
The Eagles probably can’t completely stop Jennings.
MORE: SMU's Kevin Jennings Laments 'Little Mistakes' In Missouri Win
Their best chance is getting him impatient.
If Palano, Price, Upton and Tucker can turn a couple aggressive Jennings throws into turnovers, Boston College suddenly has a path to making Saturday much more uncomfortable than SMU would like.
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