BC just another story in Boston so far

Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan watched the first six innings of Game 4 of the World Series, then fell asleep.

He woke to find that the Boston Red Sox had completed their sweep of the Colorado Rockies. One obstruction preventing Ryan and Boston College from grabbing headlines in Boston was cleared.

Now there's another, Sunday's much anticipated meeting of undefeated NFL rivals, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. If competing for the spotlight bothers Ryan, he's not admitting it.

"It's a great time to be in Boston" Ryan said Monday during a teleconference with reporters. "To be a part of the Boston sports scene is a good thing as well, so we're enjoying it."
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If the college football season ended today, Boston College (8-0) would meet Ohio State in the BCS title game, and Ryan probably would win the Heisman Trophy. In a season when the other Heisman favorites have stumbled, Ryan produced the highlights that impress Heisman voters with two late touchdown passes for a 14-10 victory on national television Thursday night at Virginia Tech.

Since Miami and Virginia Tech and then Boston College joined the conference, ACC detractors have complained that its lack of a national title contender has made the league appear weak.

Now the ACC has a title contender and its first Heisman favorite since Chris Weinke in 2000. And if many sports fans in Boston get behind Ryan and Boston College along with the Red Sox and Patriots, the whole conference will benefit.

- Ken Tysiac