The Holy War, the clash of the two great Irish Catholic colleges takes place on Saturday night in Chestnut Hill when the Irish and Boston College clash.

It is strange to note that they have only been playing each other since 1975 because it feels like an age old rivalry.

It is one that Boston College have taken a recent edge in. They have won six of the last seven with Charlie Weis finally eking out a victory last year.

This year's version will come down to an unknown set of variables.There will be a new Boston College quarterback, likely Chase Rettig, a true freshman or less likely, sophomore Mike Marscovetta.

It will be a baptism of fire, though against just the 93rd ranked defense, the new guy could end up looking like Doug Flutie.

On the Irish side, the question is which Dayne Crist, pictured above, will show up, the poised quarterback against Michigan and Michigan State or the run for your life guy we saw last Saturday against Stanford.

There is also the question of Michael Floyd, who many were comparing to the late lamented Golden Tate, but who has yet to have a breakout game this year.

I believe the Crist/Floyd connection in this game will be the critical factor in this game.If they can hook up, ala Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate this will be a one way street.

On the other side of the ball, with the quarterback wet behind the ears whoever it is, the Boston ground game will be key with Montel Harris expected to have a big day.

Both coaches desperately need a win after last week's wipeouts and Notre Dame, surprisingly, have been installed three point favorites.

That sounds about right to me in what will undoubtedly be another nail-biter for Irish fans.