The Boston College football team begins the Bill O’Brien era on Monday. Here’s what to keep an eye on.

The wait is finally over, football fans.

Boston College kicks off its season Monday night at 7:30 p.m. against No. 10 Florida State (0-1).

Here are five key storylines to watch as the Eagles embark on a new chapter under head coach Bill O’Brien.

1. Can Bill O’Brien rejuvenate the program?

Excitement surrounding Boston College football is at a high, fueled by O’Brien’s arrival.

A fan base hungry for a turnaround is energized by the hire, eager to see what he can achieve both in the short and long term. While it’s crucial to remember that the Eagles haven’t played a game yet, there’s a definite sense of optimism.

O’Brien has a proven history of revitalizing programs quickly. In 2012, he brought stability to Penn State during a tumultuous period, guiding the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record amid the aftermath of a child sex abuse scandal.

In 2014 with the Houston Texans, he took over a team that had just finished a dismal 2-14 season and led them to a 9-7 record in his first year.

O’Brien believes that immediate success in a new role is largely dependent on the people around you.

“At Penn State, stepping into that situation was probably the most challenging moment of my career, but we had exceptional people,” O’Brien said. “We had a great staff and outstanding players who stuck around. It’s similar here.”

He emphasized the continuity of BC’s roster, noting that 99 percent of players remained with the team following his arrival and 68 percent of last year’s production is back from the 7-6 season. O’Brien praised quarterback Thomas Castellanos for his steady improvement and mentioned that former coach Jeff Hafley believed this could have been his best team yet at BC.

O’Brien also has strong confidence in his coaching staff and the community, and his optimism is clearly infectious.

“The level of detail and what he demands from each person is something I’ve really noticed,” said BC running backs coach Savon Huggins. “He won’t ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.”

2. Can the Eagles achieve an eight-win season?

Despite the success of other programs on campus, it’s surprising that Boston College football is still searching for its first eight-win season since 2009.

The Eagles have come close to an eight-win season several times, finishing with seven wins in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2023, but have yet to break through.

This season starts unusually with road games against Florida State and No. 11 Missouri, sandwiched around what should be a manageable game against Duquesne. The schedule then balances out with several pivotal matchups that could go either way. One advantage for the Eagles is their seven home games, including four of their last five at Alumni Stadium.

“We’re focusing on one game at a time,” said center Drew Kendall. “Our goal is to win each game and then move on. We can’t look too far ahead.”

3. Could an upset at Florida State set the tone?

Boston College is aiming for its first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1976.

Although the Seminoles remain heavy favorites, the betting line shifted from -21.5 to -15.5 after FSU’s surprising loss to Georgia Tech in Week 0.

BC players watched the second half of the game in their locker room after practice, their excitement tempered by the realization that the result didn’t alter their own game plan.

“We know it’s going to be a major challenge going down there,” O’Brien said.

He acknowledged that facing FSU right away ensured the team stayed focused throughout the offseason and training camp, creating a noticeable sense of urgency with a powerhouse opponent on the horizon.

FSU has won the last five matchups against BC, but notably, four of those games were decided by single digits. Last year, the Eagles outperformed the Seminoles in many aspects, but a record 18 penalties derailed their chance at an upset.

O’Brien has stressed the importance of attention to detail throughout camp, emphasizing that mastering the fundamentals is crucial.

“We need to be much more disciplined than we were last year,” said linebacker Kam Arnold.

4. Can they boost their sack total?

The Eagles finished second-to-last in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season with only 13 sacks.

While O’Brien acknowledged that sack statistics can be misleading—pressures and coverage are also crucial—he offered insight into how the number might improve.

“I believe we’re on the right track,” O’Brien said. “We have various strategies to increase our sack total, whether it’s using a four-man rush, a three-man rush, or different pressure schemes. Our defense is very much pro-style.”

Linebackers Arnold, Daveon Crouch, and Sione Hala, along with defensive linemen Donovan Ezeiruaku, George Rooks, Cam Horsley, and Neto Okpala, have a lot to prove.

Their first test will be against FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, a seasoned fifth-year senior known for his ability to improvise and extend plays.

5. Will helmet communication enhance gameplay?

Players wearing a green dot on their helmets—one on offense and one on defense per team—will now be able to communicate with coaches during games.

This communication can begin immediately and continue until there are 15 seconds left on the play clock or the ball is snapped. The aim is to improve the flow and quality of play on both sides.

### The Schedule

- **Sept. 2**: at Florida State, 7:30 p.m.

- **Sept. 7**: vs. Duquesne, 3:30 p.m.

- **Sept. 14**: at Missouri, 12:45 p.m.

- **Sept. 21**: vs. Michigan State, TBA

- **Sept. 28**: vs. Western Kentucky, TBA

- **Oct. 5**: at Virginia, TBA

- **Oct. 17**: at Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m.

- **Oct. 25**: vs. Louisville, 7:30 p.m.

- **Nov. 9**: vs. Syracuse, TBA

- **Nov. 16**: at SMU, TBA

- **Nov. 23**: vs. North Carolina, TBA

- **Nov. 30**: vs. Pittsburgh, TBA

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