Pitt, Boston College are opponents Saturday, but fighting the same battles

On Saturday, the Pitt and Boston College football teams will be opponents.

Most of the rest of the year, though, these two teams fight many of the same battles.

They are city schools in pro sports towns, trying to reestablish the national pulse they had in the 1980s. Doing the best they can not only to attain consistent prominence locally, but also climb up at least one more rung toward Clemson’s dominance atop the ACC.

Well, and toward Notre Dame — for one year anyway.

Living that reality has to be particularly frustrating for B.C. in 2020. Not like 2020 hasn’t been a kick in the crotch for every college football team. But the Eagles got one thing the Panthers have been seeking for a while now.

A big-name, high-profile quarterback to create buzz on campus and within its city’s fan base.

And, wouldn’t ya know? He’s from Western Pennsylvania, too. Now, if only there was a fully open stadium and regularly functioning college campus for that atmosphere to spread.

For Pine-Richland product Phil Jurkovec, it sounds like B.C. is the right place at the right time for him to reboot his college career after transferring from Notre Dame. Too bad Alumni Stadium’s seats remain empty for his first season in Chestnut Hill because of coronavirus restrictions.

Imagine if Jurkovec had transferred back home to Pitt after leaving the Irish? Only to have Heinz Field’s gates remain closed for no one to come to watch? Even if the Panthers do get a limited number of fans for their two remaining home games (Notre Dame, Oct. 24 and Virginia Tech, Nov. 21) — as planned — what a rip off that would have been to coincide with such a rare injection of enthusiasm into a program.

Jon Meterparel is the play-by-play voice of the Eagles football team. He joined me for Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast.

“Every home game we’ve had, this will be the third straight, we’ve looked at each other (in the broadcast booth) and said, ‘What a shame,’” Meterparel lamented. “This place would be packed. Especially last week. ABC game versus (12th-ranked) North Carolina. Outstanding day in Chestnut Hill. (It could’ve been) tailgating. Party-like atmosphere, 45,000 people in the stands. It’s really a shame.”

There isn’t necessarily an automatic connection between the internet and real life. But based on the groundswell from B.C. fans to the NCAA to get Jurkovec’s eligibility pushed through this year, attendance likely would’ve spiked.

Officially a movement @NCAA #FreeJurk#FreeJurk#FreeJurk pic.twitter.com/aKFmLhCGHL

— Barstool BC (@BarstoolBC) July 25, 2020

And maybe that would’ve caused at least a rumble in the crowded New England sport media landscape.

“Jurkovec definitely has grabbed some headlines,” Meterparel added. “I think people have noticed (the B.C. team) probably earlier than they have in any other season. I think B.C. is building slowly from a publicity standpoint, especially with a new coach in Jeff Hafley. He has brought some newfound energy and stability in the program.”

During his media Zoom conference this week, Jurkovec drew similarities to his time growing up in Pittsburgh and what he’s experienced so far in Boston when it comes to sports passion.

“Boston is a very cool city because of all the good sports teams there are. They try to say it’s the City of Champions, but it’s not really the City of Champions. Pittsburgh always will be,” Jurkovec said with a laugh about the occasional regional bickering over that nickname.

But Jurkovec doesn’t view the inherent sports obsession of New England for its pro sports teams a challenge, but more as an opportunity for the program to absorb the enthusiasm.

Once life eventually — we hope — returns to how we remember.

“I would love to have everything open,” Jurkovec said. “Just the buzz around the community of B.C., Newton, Boston. I think there would be a lot of buzz around our team right now. With how many sports fans around. It’s really cool.”

If Jurkovec had decided to attend Pitt once leaving South Bend, it almost feels as if it would’ve been one of those typical Pitt intersections of time. “Pfft! Just like Pitt’s luck to land the big-time quarterback during a pandemic.”

Now it’s Boston College fans who are making that rationalization. Like everything else in 2020, it’s not perfect. But it’s better to have him than not.

Something Panthers fans may be reminded of Saturday. And something B.C. fans hopefully can forget if life gets back to normal in 2021.

LISTEN: Tim Benz and Jon Meterparel preview the Pitt-Boston College matchup