Young Eagle set to fly?

Davis getting up to speed for BC

Call it final exam preparation week.

The Boston College football team may be in prime position to win the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division title for the second consecutive season.

It might be basking in the glow of Saturday's dramatic 24-21 win over Wake Forest.

It might be enjoying its highest ranking of the season (No. 20 in the Associated Press poll).

None of that matters.

The Eagles, especially the offense, already are cramming for Saturday's regular-season finale against Maryland, as backup quarterback Dominique Davis becomes the starter following the fractured collarbone suffered by Chris Crane against Wake Forest.

Davis, a redshirt freshman, showed inexperience and potential after he replaced Crane in the second quarter, giving up a pair of fumbles, both of which were returned for touchdowns, then leading the Eagles on a 70-yard game-winning drive.

Davis completed two key third-down passes, and the drive was capped by a 1-yard Davis run for the deciding score.

But now the focus is on Maryland with the stakes as high as they can get during the regular season.

If the Eagles win, they earn a berth in the ACC championship game against Virginia Tech (if it beats Virginia) or Georgia Tech (if Virginia Tech loses).

Coach Jeff Jagodzinski said the Eagles - and Davis - will be ready.

"We'll get him focused in the game plan, as fast it can go," said Jagodzinski. "We have a good game plan for him. It's not that the guy hasn't done it. Last week he split the reps with Chris in practice. He's going to be the guy who's got to do it."

Jagodzinski noted about Davis having to get used to the pressure early in Saturday's game, "You can't simulate game speed."

But Jagodzinski added: "[Offensive coordinator] Steve [Logan] knows what [Davis] knows. Those are the things he will concentrate on. We've got an idea of what he can do and what his strengths are."

The estimate on how long Crane will be sidelined is being put at six weeks, but Jagodzinski said that was being conservative. Yet that could mean Crane would be ready for a Jan. 1-range bowl game, which is still a possibility for the Eagles.

BC has already lost three starters with season-ending injuries - linebacker Brian Toal, defensive lineman Alex Albright, wide receiver Clarence Megwa.

"I feel bad for Chris," said Jagodzinski, who now lists wide receiver Billy Flutie and fullback Codi Boek, both of whom have QB backgrounds, as Davis's backups. The Eagles have true freshman Justin Tuggle, but he is being redshirted.

"You're always one snap away from being the guy," said Jagodzinski. "We're in a good position."

Game time Saturday is 3:30 p.m. . . . Maryland's loss to Florida State Saturday night eliminated the Terps from the title race. If they do win, Florida State will be the Atlantic champion.