“He’s got a better understanding of what it takes to be quarterback on this level,’’ said Spaziani, whose team hosts Virginia Tech this afternoon. “The work ethic, the strain that needs to go into it, the time. He’s put in all those extracurricular hours on his own. He’s practiced better. But he’s got to do it now. We’ve had two games, but it’s a different pace now.’’

Much different, and Shinskie, as much as anyone, knows it. His career at BC has been marked by one step forward, two steps back, one step forward.

Shinskie won the job last year not so much based on what he did, but what his competition did not. When the season ended, Spaziani made it clear that the job was Shinskie’s, but he would be challenged. Mike Marscovetra, like Shinskie a sophomore, provided that during the summer.

The learning curve for Shinskie has been slow, and at times painful. Last year’s game against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg — a 48-14 win for the Hokies — left painful memories, which Shinskie talked about this week.

“Last year I was out of my element,’’ said Shinskie, who went 1 for 12 that day for 4 yards, with two interceptions. “It was my first start on the road at a stadium like that. It was my first game in front of 80,000 people and I felt like everyone was on my back.

“It’s tough to play when you’re, I’m not going to say scared, but a little bit overwhelmed by some of that stuff.’’

Shinskie believes he is different this year, as is the situation. It is parents weekend at BC, and the crowd of 35,000-40,000 will offer support.

“I’m not like that anymore,’’ said Shinskie, who has thrown for 399 yards and four touchdowns in victories over Weber State and Kent State. “I just came out last year and wasn’t ready to execute the game plan, to throw where I have to throw. This year, I feel a lot different.’’

Spaziani’s plan in the first two games was to start Shinskie, but also give Marscovetra significant playing time. It didn’t work out that way, as Marscovetra has attempted a total of just six passes this season.

“What is different is the opponent,’’ said Spaziani, when asked about his plan for the quarterbacks. “If a guy goes 10 for 10 and goes down the field three times, we’re not going to disrupt the flow.’’

Off to a 1-2 start, Virginia Tech has Bud Foster calling the defensive signals, which have befuddled so many opponents in the past. Although the teams are in opposite divisions in the ACC, they have been designated rivals by the conference, and thus meet each year. “We are very familiar with each other,’’ said Spaziani.

Shinskie’s time is now, but there are limits to how far Spaziani will go before he decides things are not working as well as he wants. As long as BC wins, Spaziani is not likely to “disrupt the flow,’’ as he described it. But once a loss is posted, all bets are off, including the possibility of making a move to highly touted freshman Chase Rettig.

What is confusing the issue is that neither Marscovetra nor Rettig has dazzled in practice, or done enough to signal someone else is ready to step in.

Although Shinskie has the maturity that comes with being 26 years old, his experience still lags behind.

“He still is just a sophomore,’’ said senior free safety Wes Davis, who must contend with the other problem that Tech presents, containing elusive quarterback Tyrod Taylor. “So it’s going to take some time. I tell him to just relax and go with the flow.’’

Shinskie says he is ready to do just that. “It’s a competitive game and they’ve got a great defense,’’ he said. “But after getting into the film and watching what they do and having a better idea, I’m looking forward to playing.’’

And how Shinskie plays will likely determine how much more he will play after today.