Through 6 games, Boston College is 4-2 with some exciting wins over FSU, Western Kentucky, and Michigan State. How much better do you feel about this team than you did at the start of the season?

Kieran: Overall, I like the direction that the team is headed. They definitely won some games that they wouldn’t have won last year, but the loss to Virginia seemed like something a Jeff Hafley team would do. But hey, it only happened once, so that’s improvement!

Niraj: Slightly better albeit with a sour taste right now. I’m glad to see we’re capable of hanging with just about anyone. I still think we’re not that far off from turning this into a pretty special season, but hoping to see improvement offensively these next few games. Love what I’m seeing from the defense all things considered.

Brian: I feel much better than the pre-season, but I also feel much worse since the start of the season. UVA was a bad loss, and I feel like the team has lost some momentum. But, overall, Bill O’Brien absolutely has this program headed in the right direction.

Curtis: This team is gritty and has won a lot of close games, something we could not have said about the team under the previous regime. I’m really happy with how things are turning out so far this season, even if there have been a few bumps in the road.

BC did unfortunately drop a stinker in the second half against UVA last week, scoring 0 points and ultimately losing the game 24-14. Does that put a damper on the outlook for the rest of the year?

Kieran: They’re going to be playing some pretty decent teams the rest of the season, so it does worry me a little. But was only one game and they haven’t given us reason to think they’ll play like that consistently. However, I do think the offense will need to improve.

Niraj: Without a doubt it does. I gave a lot of passes with Michigan State and WKU, the weather, late quarterback switch, but three weeks in a row shame on all of us. The team has failed to put together a complete game and we’re not seeing week over week adjustments. How could you possibly know what you’re going to get week in week out? There are serious concerns with play-calling and offensive consistency that need to be addressed.

Brian: As mentioned above, I think it just dampened some expectations. No one expected us to be very good this year, and with the win at FSU to start the season, the outlook quickly changed. With this loss, it brings fans back to reality a little bit, but it definitely does put a damper on the momentum this season.

Curtis: Frankly, the issues we saw against UVA are nothing new. They struggled plenty against previous opponents, too, but were able to capitalize on some opportunities and pull out wins in those games. I think this roster still has a long way to go before BC is ready to compete at the top of the ACC, so unfortunately I don’t think this will be the last disappointing loss of the season.

We are once again strapped into our seats for Tommy Castellanos’s wild ride. What are your thoughts about him as Boston College’s quarterback so far this season?

Kieran: I think he’s been solid, although not quite as dynamic as I thought he would be. His TD:INT ratio is beautiful to look at compared to last year. He’s kept BC in contention every game, but if he can find another level, BC may crack the top 25 and be an ACC contender.

Niraj: He’s still made some magic but I’ve been pretty disappointed. His decision making has been poor, he’s trying to evade one too many guys, he’s not scrambling north south as much, and don’t get me started on the late hit last game. It’s that moment of panic or “need to play hero” ball that I’d like to see him stop. I appreciate how hard he is on himself, but I think he needs to show a little more resiliency.

Brian: I think Tommy is an incredible play maker, but with the incredible plays, we see some bad plays as well. I still think he’s a great player and makes our team go. You’re going to get more good than bad with Tommy and Saturday at UVA was unfortunately the bad.

Curtis: His decision-making has always been all over the place and that’s nothing new this year, especially when he’s running backwards and taking some bad sacks deep in the backfield. But I do think he has improved a bit as a passer this season and he has the capability for some great performances, I’d just like to see him be more consistent.

We’re 6 games into Bill O’Brien’s first season as head coach, and it’s already been a bit of a rollercoaster. How is he doing?

Kieran: I think BC fans should be pretty happy with how things are going right now. BoB has given this team and program some new life and they’re winning games. It would be nice if Castellanos had shown some more improvement given BoB’s history with developing QBs, but all things considered, he’s doing a good job. (Side note: I could change my feelings about him quickly depending on how this recruiting cycle goes.)

Niraj: Still a big fan. He had a great start and isn’t shy talking about what he’s looking to fix. There are no excuses from him. Overall, he’s done a solid job instilling better discipline, last game aside. He’s had some good halftime adjustments. Some times things just spiral, but overall he still has BC in the right direction. Again I just want to see more rational offensive play calling, maybe that means him taking over fully.

Brian: I think Bill O’Brien has Boston College and the team believing that we can be a great football program again. We have absolutely outperformed expectations so far, and I’d consider that a success in his first year. Changing the culture is step one, and he is doing that.

Curtis: From an outsider’s perspective, it looks like there’s been a total culture shift. 100% accountability, no excuses, and MY GOD no more penalties! I think BoB has BC heading in the right direction.

Looking ahead, BC has a couple of tough games against Virginia Tech and Louisville coming up before another bye week. How do you think they’ll do?

Kieran: Both Louisville and VT have lost to quality teams but they’re still quality opponents. I have a feeling BC will split those two games, although both will be close at the end.

Niraj: I like to think they can split these two and at the very least be in both games. We’ve seen everything this college football season already. Any given (_)-day.

Brian: I would love to say we win both games, but I’m not sure we do. Virginia Tech is a really tough place to play, and their loss at Vanderbilt doesn’t look as bad now as it did to open the season. Louisville is also a tough team. I’ll say we go 1-1

Curtis: Both games are going to be a slog, I think. The odds of BC going 0-2 definitely seem higher than the odds of them going 2-0. But I think they’ll have at least one good day and split the two games with a win and a loss.

In the preseason, basically all of us said we expected a 6-6 record in the regular season. Would you like to update that prediction?

Kieran: I think they’ll go 7-5. They could easily lose to everyone they play for the rest of the season because that’s just the nature of the ACC. But I think the Eagles will keep every game close and give BoB his first winning season in Chestnut Hill.

Niraj: I’ll bump that up one game. I trust BoB to find his groove here, particularly on offense. The ball should fall our way in some more of these. Can he get to 8 with a bowl win is the ultimate test.

Brian: I’m going to update that prediction and say we go 7-5

Curtis: My preseason prediction was 5-7, so I’ll tack on a couple extra wins and say 7-5.