10 teams that will take the next step after big win in bowl game

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines prepares to take the field with his team prior to a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 25: AJ Dillon (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

9. Boston College

7-5 (4-4)

Pinstripe Bowl: Eagles vs. Iowa, Wednesday, Dec. 27

Boston College entered the 2017 season with modest expectations. Las Vegas oddsmakers set the preseason win total for the Eagles at four, and most publications picked BC to finish in the bottom half of the ACC Atlantic. Nevertheless, head coach Steve Addazio propelled his team to a bowl game for the fourth time in five seasons.

If the Eagles finish off their surprising season with a win over Iowa in the Pinstripe Bowl, they would enter the offseason with six wins in their final seven games – which included wins over bowl teams Louisville, Florida State and Virginia, and the only loss a 17-14 nail-biter to a ranked N.C. State squad. Despite playing in one of the toughest divisions in college football, there’s reason to believe Boston College could be a dark horse ACC Championship contender in 2018.

A big reason for so much optimism is a resurgent BC offense that received a huge boost from a trio of freshman playmakers. Running back A.J. Dillon ranked second in the ACC (and first among running backs) with 1,432 rushing yards during the regular season, and he added 13 rushing touchdowns, which ranked third in the league.

Quarterback Anthony Brown showed flashes of brilliance and led the team with 1,367 passing yards and 11 TDs, adding 210 rushing yards and another score on the ground before suffering a season-ending knee injury, and receiver Kobay White led the team with 32 receptions and 396 receiving yards, hauling in two scoring strikes.

Brown gave way to veteran signal caller Darius Wade, and though elite pass rusher Harold Landry whichever QB takes the reins in 2018 is expected to have at least eight returning starters alongside him on the offensive side of the football.

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