Boston College entered its 2008 football season without the lofty expectations placed on its most immediate predecessor. The Eagles were defending Atlantic Division champions in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but ascending to No. 2 in national polls didn't mean much after they completed a 10-win season with a win over Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl.
BC was a top-10 team, but the 2008 Eagles were missing many of the heroes who built the magic behind the 2007 season. Holdovers existed, but much of the team's ability to build its reputation rested on newcomers like Montel Harris and returning players, like quarterback Chris Crane, who didn't have all that much experience.