Boston College @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2011 ) Northwestern 24, Boston College 17

Northwestern is one of only seven FBS teams to play BCS conference opponents in each of the first two weeks of the season, and the only one to win both games. The Wildcats will look to keep alive that trend and start 3-0 for the third time in five years when they host Boston College on Saturday, but they must contend with a solid Eagles' passing attack. Boston College ranks 14th in the nation in passing yards per game behind quarterback Chase Rettig. Northwestern leads the series 3-1, including a 24-17 win at Boston College in 2011.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Northwestern -4

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (1-1): Rettig leads all Atlantic Coast Conference passers with 660 passing yards and five touchdowns through two games. He has made 70 passes since his only interception, which came in the season opener versus Miami. Wide receiver Alex Amidon has been the primary recipient of Rettig's fast start. Amidon ranks seventh in the country in receiving yards per game (124). Fellow wideout Spiffy Evans had a touchdown reception and an 82-yard punt return for a score in the Eagles' 34-3 victory over Maine last Saturday.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (2-0): The Wildcats outscored Vanderbilt 20-3 in the second half last Saturday to rally for a 23-13 victory and improve to 2-0 for the sixth straight season. Sophomore linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo was instrumental in the victory, recording a sack and eight solo tackles - three for loss, the most by a Northwestern player since Sept. 18, 2010. Ariguzo was rewarded for his efforts by being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. The offensive star has been junior running back Venric Mark, who has 205 rushing yards through the first two games while averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Rettig completed 24 passes for 375 yards in last season's meeting with the Wildcats.

2. The Eagles are beginning a stretch in which they'll play four out of five games on the road.

3. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is seven wins shy of tying Lynn Waldorf for the school record of 49.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 34, Boston College 29