When Boston College jumped to the Atlantic Coast Conference last year, there was legitimate concern that the Eagles would disappear in the football swamps down south. BC would have to continue playing its old Big East rivals, Miami and Virginia Tech, which also went to the ACC, and also contend with perennial ACC powers Florida State and Clemson. BC would survive, for sure, but could it thrive?

The answer is yes. Boston College is 7-1, 3-1 in the ACC, and tied for first in the Atlantic Division with Wake Forest (7-1, 3-1) and Maryland (6-2, 3-1). BC and Wake Forest will play tomorrow night in Winston-Salem, N.C., with the winner possibly standing alone atop the standings because Maryland has to play at Clemson, where visitors have a difficult time winning in Death Valley.

A victory over the Demon Deacons will hardly ensure BC a berth in the ACC championship game. Two big tests remain after Wake: Maryland at home on Nov. 18 and Miami on the road on Nov. 23. Winless Duke visits Chestnut Hill Nov. 11, but that game will be like a practice test.

"I think, as always, November ends up being a championship month," O'Brien said this week during his teleconference. "We've always been concerned with getting to this point and trying to be part of a championship race, and we are, so it is an exciting time for this football team."

I'll say. BC is enjoying its best season since 1992. If the Eagles win at Wake Forest, this will be their best start to a season since 1954. BC is a slight favorite, owing in part to its 17-6 road record the last four years, the third-best road record in college football, according to the BC public relations machine.

The BC-Wake Forest matchup should be a great game. Wake Forest is having its best season since 1979; its only loss was to Clemson, 27-17. Both teams have won close games this season . And BC-Wake Forest games have gone down to the wire. The Demon Deacons won close games in 2003 and 2004. BC prevailed last year, 35-30, on a 26-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan to Kevin challenger with 1:18 to play.

And how about this gem? The Eagles boast the best overall record in the ACC since the start of the 2005 season, 16-4. Clearly, BC has not disappeared in any ACC swamp.

YALE at BROWN Bulldogs have won six in a row since a blowout loss to San Diego. The Brown defense is playing well, but the offense remains unpredictable. I'll take Yale in a close game but won't be at all surprised if Brown wins.

YALE, 28-27

URI at HOFSTRA If Joe Casey runs for 100 yards, QB Derek Cassidy doesn't get hurt, the offense doesn't fumble and the defense makes a few stops, Rhody wins. How's that for a qualified endorsement?

URI, 24-22

BRYANT at BENTLEY Bulldogs can run and throw, which presents a formidable challenge for the Falcons formidable defense.

BRYANT, 21-14

CURRY at UMASS DARTMOUTH Steve Nelson left the Curry cupboard full when he went off to work in the private sector. Curry is 9-0.

CURRY, 28-14

SALVE REGINA at PLYM0UTH STATE I'm sure Chris Robertson didn't envision a 1-8 season when he left WPI for the Salve job.

PLYMOUTH STATE, 28-7

BOSTON COLLEGE at WAKE FOREST The Eagles must be on top of their game from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Mistakes could determine the outcome.

BOSTON COLLEGE, 24-21

UMASS AT NEW HAMPSHIRE UMass features the best runner in the A-10 in Steve Baylark, a steady quarterback in Liam Coen and the best defense. Ricky Santos and Davis Ball will have a hard time beating that combination.

UMASS, 28-21

NAVY at DUKE Duke owns the longest losing streak in Division I at 16 games. Make that 17 after Navy sails away.

NAVY, 31-10

LSU at TENNESSEE Vols are 7-1, Tigers 6-2. Each is ranked. When they are that close, I take the home team.

TENNESSEE, 17-14

MISSOURI at NEBRASKA Missouri has dropped two of its last three and dropped out of the Top 25. Nebraska is also among Others Receiving Votes.

NEBRASKA, 30-24

PENN STATE at WISCONSIN Badgers have lost only once, and the big home crowd will help keep it that way in a close, defensive battle.

Wisconsin, 17-10

VIRGINIA TECH at MIAMI The Hokies' defense has to control Hurricanes QB Kyle Wright, one of the best in the ACC.

VIRGINIA TECH, 24-21

UCLA at CALIFORNIA Thanks to USC's stumble at Oregon State last week, 7-1 Cal is 5-0 in the Pac-10 and all alone in first place. A Nov. 18 date with USC looms large.

CALIFORNIA, 31-14

BATES at BOWDOIN Here are two teams experiencing the football equivalent of a power brownout. Bates has not scored more than 14 points in a game. Bowdoin has only 13 points in six games and has been shut out the last three weeks.

BATES, 7-6

BUCKNELL at HOLY CROSS Crusaders still have the best overall record in the Patriot League but are second in the standings after losing to Lehigh last week. They will rebound.

HOLY CROSS, 21-14

LAST WEEK, 9-6, 600; SEASON, 83-37, .691

mszostak@projo.com/ (401) 277-7340