College football preview: Northwestern at Boston College

Northwestern at Boston College

When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Alumni Stadium

TV: ESPNU

Net: ESPN3.com

Radio: WMVP 1000-AM, WNUR 89.3-FM

Series: Northwestern leads 2-1

Coaches: Pat Fitzgerald (34-29, sixth year at NU); Frank Spaziani (16-11, third year at BC)

NU players to watch: With senior QB Dan Persa listed as “questionable” on Northwestern's official injury report, sophomore QB Kain Colter ought to make his first start. Colter didn't throw the ball much in his three appearances to close out last season (3 of 9 for 38 yards and 1 INT), but he was a wizard on option runs and scrambles. Colter hasn't lost any elusiveness, but he's a much better passer after a full offseason with a healthy shoulder. He'll spread around his throws to several receivers, though first-team all-Big Ten senior Jeremy Ebert should be first among equals. DE Vince Browne, a second-team all-league pick last year, and S Brian Peters headline a defense with five new starters.

BC players to watch: Boston College lost preseason ACC Player of the Year Montel Harris (1,278 yards, 8 TDs) to a knee injury. Backup RB Andre Williams (481 yards, 2 TDs) has suffered ankle problems during camp, so he's not a sure thing either. QB Chase Rettig hit 100 of 195 passes for 1,238 yards, 6 TDs and 8 INTs last season. St. Viator graduate Emmett Cleary, who started 9 games last year, is listed as the starting right tackle. Junior MLB Luke Kuechly, a consensus All-American pick who averaged 14.1 tackles per game last year, heads a defense that led the country in stopping the run.

The skinny: Looking for a matchup that's closest to college football's ideals? Northwestern and Boston College are 50 percent of the major-conference FBS programs that never have been found guilty of a major NCAA infraction. They're also among the six FBS programs to post a graduation rate of 90 percent or better last year. While those graduation rates are big numbers, don't expect big numbers on the scoreboard. Both teams prefer to chew up the clock rather than strike quickly. Northwestern installed the Pistol offense during the offseason — it's an occasional alternative to its traditional spread attack — in order to give the team a better chance at a conventional running game.

Fast fact: Northwestern has won six consecutive openers, which means the Wildcats are 5-0 under Pat Fitzgerald.