Eagles' Raji can't play today

Boston College will open its season today against Wake Forest without starting right defensive tackle B.J. Raji, who has been declared ineligible because of an academic issue. It's possible he could be finished for the season because of a discrepancy in the number of credits he has accrued toward graduation.

NCAA rules are strict on this issue, with a certain amount of credits necessary at each stage of an athlete's career. Raji, a 6-foot-1-inch, 325-pound senior, has come up short, although there is some dispute about how many credits he needs to get back on course or if that is even possible.

BC issued a brief statement, saying Raji was ineligible this week and his status for upcoming games is uncertain. Coach Jeff Jagodzinski has named 6-5, 282-pound junior Jerry Willette as Raji's replacement.

Raji was academically ineligible last spring and was attending night school.

The issue was thought to be resolved this summer. "I'm getting B's," said Raji early in training camp.

While Raji appears to be a student in good standing for the semester that starts Tuesday, the paperwork involving his reinstatement is complicated. The school formally must apply to the NCAA for him to be restored to academic eligibility.

While NCAA rules allowed Raji to participate in spring drills as a part-time night student, they do not allow him to participate in games until he is reinstated.

Such issues are decided by a committee that reviews all eligibility issues. Sometimes the process can take weeks, since meetings must be convened and cases heard.

BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo declined to elaborate last night.

The worst-case scenario is that Raji will be academically ineligible to play this season. DeFilippo and BC officials will try to expedite the process to allow Raji to compete next week against North Carolina State.

"It's complicated and I don't know when it will be resolved," said DeFilippo.

Losing Raji will affect the defense against Wake Forest and will no doubt force defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani to make adjustments, one of which could be switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 formation, utilizing the Eagles' depth at linebacker.

Raji's status complicates Jagodzinski's debut at the BC helm.

Not much is expected of the Eagles. Just 10 or more wins, another bowl appearance, and if you listen to what Jagodzinski has been telling his team, an Atlantic Coast Conference title and Bowl Championship Series berth are realistic goals.

Game on? You better believe it. The ACC and DeFilippo have not served up any cupcakes for the Eagles out of the gate. Defending conference champion Wake Forest is at Alumni Stadium this afternoon, former BC coach Tom O'Brien comes to town with N.C. State next week, and Georgia Tech, last year's Coastal Division champion, awaits in Atlanta in two weeks.

Jagodzinski says he wouldn't have it any other way than to face Wake Forest in the opener. If you are going to be the best, you have to beat the best, the former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator describes it. And while the Demon Deacons might not be the best this season - they were picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division in the conference's preseason poll - they are pretty good, with an offense led by quarterback Riley Skinner, last season's ACC Offensive Freshman of the Year.

"Everything has led me to this point in my career," Jagodzinski said. "All of the other jobs I've had, all of the other people I've met, have brought me to this point in time. Only I'm the head coach. It's a lifelong journey; this is just the next step."

Jagodzinski says he is glad game day has finally arrived. "All you can do as a coach is prepare them mentally and physically and let it go," he said.

What comes out this afternoon is anyone's guess. Despite last year's conference championship, Wake is the underdog.

"Were they the most talented team in the ACC last year? Probably not," said Jagodzinski. "But they played the best. They've got every zone blitz known to man. They are a bend-but-don't-break defense. They don't make mistakes."

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe has studied tapes of schemes run by new BC offensive coordinator Steve Logan.

"We don't know what to expect," said Grobe. "But Steve was a big-play guy who liked to work the ball downfield."

"That's a pretty accurate statement," said Jagodzinski. "That's what I said we were going to do when I was hired."

The moment Jagodzinski said he has been preparing for his entire career has finally arrived. He is not concerned with what happened before he arrived at The Heights as the man to replace O'Brien.

"What has been I can't talk about," Jagodzinski said. "I only worry about what will be."

Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com.