The 2018 college football season began with heightened expectations for Boston College. The changing tides in the ACC created a visible optimism for the Eagles, and the team's reputation helped build a swagger many thought would take it to the top of the mountain in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division.
A 7-2 record heading into the Clemson game validated that feeling, which is what makes the last three weeks so much harder to swallow. The Eagles finished the season with a 7-5 record following Saturday's 42-21 loss to No. 19 Syracuse and now enter their bowl season without an eighth win that seemed inevitable at the beginning of November.