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As the preeminent D-1 program in the northeast, Boston College Football has amassed several different rivals over the years. While one has yet to emerge as "the rivalry", they are all surrounded with a fierce competitive environment.
Notre Dame: The Irish have emerged as one of BC's greatest football rivals as they are the only other Catholic University in Division 1-A football. Coined the "Holy War" during the inaugural matchup in 1975, the fierce rivalry has been inspired by several great moments.
In 1993, the Eagles knocked off the 1st ranked Irish in South Bend on a last second 41-yard field goal destroying any chances of a Notre Dame National Championship. Then again in 2002 BC defeated a 4th ranked Irish team clad in their green jerseys for the first time in three years and for the first time at home in 17 seasons. Then last year after a two year break in the rivalry the undefeated Eagles marched into South Bend yet again and took down a struggling Notre Dame team 27-14 moving the Eagles to 7-0 on the season.
Clemson: BC has played Clemson in all three seasons since the schools move to the ACC in 2005. In the programs first season as a member of the ACC, BC beat Clemson in a tight 16-13 overtime victory. In 2006, the Eagles knocked off the 18th ranked Tigers in Alumni in another thrilling double overtime game. Then again in 2007 the Eagles, having just suffered its first two losses of the season, took down this 15th ranked Tiger's team following an improbable desperation pass from quarterback Matt Ryan to reciever Rich Gunnell in the final minutes clinching the 20-17 victory. While the rivalry is young, Clemson has emerged as the ACC divisional rival to beat.
Miami: BC's rivalry with Miami has stretched back to the school's Big East days (Miami made the move from the Big East to the ACC in 2004). The greatest moment in the history of the rivalry and arguably in the history of college football took place on November 23, 1984 when senior and eventually Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie launched a Hail Mary pass to senior receiver Gerard Phelan on the last play of the game to seal a 47-45 victory over the defending National Champion Hurricanes. The next 15 times BC and Miami faced off resulted in Hurricane victories. It wasn't until this past season that the Eagles finally took down the `Canes for the first time since 1984.
Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech was the third school to make the move from the Big East to the ACC along with Miami and BC. In recent years, the Hokies have been the team to beat in the ACC Coastal Division. Last year, the Eagles faced the Hokies twice during the season. BC walked away with the victory in the first game taking down the 8th ranked Hokies after an unlikely comeback and a dramatic last second touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Andre Calendar. Squaring off again in the ACC Championship game in Jacksonville, the 6th ranked Hokies took down the Eagles ending any hopes of a BCS bowl bid for BC. Adding fuel to the fire, former BC great Matt Ryan will now take the reins as quarterback of Virginia Tech great Michael Vick's former team, the Atlanta Falcons.
After the tough loss in the ACC Championship Game, the Eagles bounced right back in their 2008 campaign taking down the 17th ranked Hokies 28-23. Following the victory, the Eagles rose to 23rd in the country in the AP Top 25. Boston University: The Eagles most prominent hockey foe is cross-town rival Boston University. While the rivalry was initiated due to the proximity of the campuses, the competitive hockey programs provide the schools with a forum debate one's superiority over the other. Because both teams compete in the Hockey East, BC faces BU both home and away several times a year and often in the Beanpot. Both programs are perennial powerhouses always finishing in the top of the Hockey East and in the country. When BC faces off against BU, you can expect the games to be hard fought on the ice and in the stands.
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