The Clemson Tigers will head up to Chestnut Hill, MA on Saturday night to face to the Boston College Eagles in a primetime matchup. ESPN’s College Gameday will be in town for the first time since 2008 and only the third time ever. Boston College comes in ranked No. 17, while the Tigers are ranked second in the nation. This is the first season since 2008 that the Eagles have been ranked in the top 25.
If you are looking for defense, this is your matchup. Both teams come in allowing less than five yards per play, which ranks them in the top 50 in the country for total defense. Clemson ranks first in the ACC in sacks and Boston College ranks second. The defensive and offensive lines at both schools are big and physical. Clemson runs a spread offense and Boston College runs a pro-style offense, but they are similar teams because both rely on the game being played in the trenches to win the game.
The key for Boston College will be ball control. Sophomore running back A.J. Dillon has been injured but is probable for the game. Dillon is second in the ACC in rushing, despite missing two games. Anthony Brown, a sophomore quarterback, can make some good throws but will not win the game with his arm. Boston College will have to lean on their offensive line and running backs just as they have all year. They will need their defense to keep the Clemson offense off the field and out of the end zone. Brown will be counted upon to make throws using play-action passes if A.J. Dillon gets going. The problem is that Clemson has four future NFL players on their defensive line and they usually do not give up many rushing yards.
Clemson will need to continue the hot streak that has allowed them to outscore opponents 240-36 in the last four games. The Tigers had three players rush for over 100 yards last game for the third time this season. Clemson seems to be able to win games on the ground and through the air, so when one isn’t working, the other one probably is. The problem this week is that the Eagles defensive line is physical, experienced and ready to stop Travis Etienne and company. Trevor Lawrence will be making his third road start and these will be the worst conditions he has played in so far. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-30’s at kickoff and to go down from there. Wyatt Ray, a defensive end for Boston College, is ranked fifth nationally in sacks. So to go along with the frigid conditions, Lawrence will have to worry about Ray breathing down his neck.
This will be Clemson’s toughest test so far. Boston College will be ready to go as this is the biggest home game these players have played this season and the conditions seem to be in their favor: a cold night game at home, hosting College Gameday, and a huge upset on the line. The problem is that Clemson is on a roll and they have a mission to accomplish. The Tigers will put on the storied “orange britches” as they have a chance to clinch the ACC Atlantic and a trip to the ACC title game in December. Clemson is favored by twenty points which seems generous considering all the conditions against them, but Dabo Swinney’s teams tend to disregard conditions and hold themselves to a standard. Steve Addazio, Boston College head coach Steve Addazio said “it’s going to be a helluva night in Chestnut Hill” after finding out that College Gameday was coming. The atmosphere will be top notch and show whether or not the Tigers are true contenders for the College Football Playoff.
The game will begin at 8:00pm on Saturday, November 10th in Alumni Stadium.
