Hurricanes Lunchtime List: Top 5 Things to Watch vs. Boston College

Every weekday, we’ll bring you a Hurricanes top five list at lunchtime. It’s something to look forward to.

Revised Thanksgiving week schedule:

Monday: Answers to Top 5 Game Preview from Friday
Tuesday: Top 5 in the ACC
Wednesday: Top 5 to Watch for Upcoming Game
Thursday: Thanksgiving! No List.
Friday: Game day. No List.

5. Hail Flutie. It doesn’t have a thing to do with Friday’s game, but something tells me we’ll see the replay of Doug Flutie‘s 1984 Hail Mary pass a few times on Friday. Just to get things started, you can see the video below.

4. The Canes’ attitude. After learning they wouldn’t play in a bowl game the day after qualifying with six wins, the Hurricanes players were upset according to Jacory Harris. “I’m pretty sure the guys feel a little empty and devastated,” Harris said according to the Sun Sentinel. “Now we’ve just got to go and take that anger out on Boston College. Whatever anger you have built up, just use it in the game this coming week.” Look for Harris to have a very good game in what will be his last as a member of the Miami Hurricanes. Lots of passes should go the way of Travis Benjamin and Tommy Streeter, the former of whom is a senior. Other notable seniors include LB Sean Spence, S/CB JoJo Nicholas, CB Mike Williams, CB Lee Chambers, LB Jordan Futch, DE/LB Marcus Robinson, DE Andrew Smith, DT Micanor Regis, LS Chris Ivory, WR LaRon Byrd, TE Chase Ford, C Tyler Horn, OT Joel Figueroa, and G Harlund Gunn. LB Ramon Buchanan could apply for a sixth year of eligibility following his season-ending injury earlier this year.

3. Luke Kuechly. Junior linebacker Luke Kuechly finished second on the country in tackles as a freshman in 2009, and led the country in tackles as a sophomore last season. He currently leads the country in tackles this year with 182. The next highest total is 147 by Akron’s Brian Wagner. He averages 16.6 tackles per game; he’s recorded more than 20 tackles twice so far this year. This will be his first time facing the Hurricanes, who could look to get the running game going with Lamar Miller to set up the play action pass.

2. Can Boston College score? Miami hasn’t allowed an offensive touchdown since the second quarter of the Florida State game. They allowed just two the week before against Duke. The Canes struggled to stop the run most of the year, but held FSU to fewer than 70 yards and USF to fewer than 120 yards. They’ve been bend-but-don’t-break at times this year, and they’re 18th in the country in scoring defense at 19.7 points per game. The Eagles, meanwhile, are 112th in scoring offense at 17.6 points per game.

1. Can Miami score? The Hurricanes failed to reach the end zone last weekend against USF, and scored just one touchdown until midway through the fourth quarter the week before against Florida State. The Canes have not been the same offensively the last few weeks as the offensive line has struggled with two very good defensive fronts. The Eagles, though, rank near the bottom of the country in sacks and tackles for loss, and no player has more than 2.5 sacks.