ACC Week: One Big Question for Boston College, Can Rettig Thrive?

What exactly does Boston College football have in common with the San Francisco 49ers?

Aside from vague similarities in uniform color, each has cycled through offensive coordinators like most go through underwear. Alex Smith’s productive campaign as 49er quarterback came with the incessant notice that the former No. 1 pick played for a new coordinator virtually every season; sometimes, multiple in a single year.

BC quarterback Chase Rettig came to Chestnut Hill not with the same fanfare as a No. 1 overall pick, but the San Clemente (Calif.) prospect was certainly ballyhooed. He ascended to starter quickly, taking over for the struggling David Shinskie in 2010 to lead the Eagles on a five-game run of victories that preserved the program’s 12-year  bowl streak. But that streak ended last year, and Rettig was shaky.

The then-sophomore threw nine interceptions, but just 12 touchdowns. He completed a little over 53 percent of his pass attempts. Essentially, he was just marginally improved from his freshman campaign.

Like Smith in San Francisco, Rettig has played for a new offensive coordinator every season. His junior season will be no different, with Doug Martin’s hire in December marking No. 3 to walk through the revolving door. Rettig’s public debut under the latest regime was the spring game, and initial reviews were bleak.

Rettig’s acclimation to yet another new offensive scheme could be the difference in BC beginning a new bowl streak, or head coach Frank Spaziani’s seat growing unbearably hot.  The 18.2 points per game BC averaged ranked No. 112 nationally, and only Kentucky and Ole Miss were worse among BCS conference programs.

Despite losing Tasmanian devil/linebacker Luke Kuechly to the NFL, the Eagle defense should again be strong. Opponents averaged a little over 23.5 points per game against BC a season ago, which ranked No. 43 in the FBS. Kevin Pierre-Louis, Steele Divito, Dominic Appiah: all were key contributors a season ago, and all return for 2012. The onus is certainly on the offense to get BC back in the winner’s column.

Martin has a track record for turning around an offense. He was hired from New Mexico State, where the Aggies saw a marked improvement in 2011. NMSU jumped from 117 to 89 in scoring offense, thanks to improved quarterback play. Matt Christian was good for over 1900 yards passing and scored 14 touchdowns — certainly not eye popping figures, but at NMSU it’s worth noting. Christian’s added ability to rush was a useful facet in the Aggie offense, and Rettig’s not been called upon to carry in his previous two seasons. He may not need to though, as BC has depth in the backfield.

The loss of Montel Harris should not have too great an impact on the Eagles’ run production. Andre Williams and Roland Finch were an adequate combination, and Tahj Kimble’s potential offers a nice No. 3 look to make the Eagles dangerous in that facet.

A more aggressive approach might benefit the Eagle offense, which languished under Gary Tranquill and Kevin Rogers. Tranquill and Rogers both employed relatively vanilla sets that relied heavily on the rush. Martin is likely to employ the rush frequently as well, but in a less conventional manner.

That leaves a heavy burden on Rettig. Opposing defenses will stack eight in the box to squash the rush, daring Rettig to pass. He has no shortage of receivers to target, returning each of the top five pass catchers from last season. The corps is diverse, featuring size (6-foot-3 Colin Larmond, Jr.; 6-foot-6 tight end Chris Pantale) and speed (Finch; punt returner Bobby Swigert).

There are opportunities for Rettig to improve, thus bolstering an Eagle offense in desperate need of jump start — just like Alex Smith last season.