Preview :
Number four ranked Clemson returns to the friendly confines of “Death Valley” for a Saturday evening contest with the Eagles of Boston College in an ACC Divisional matchup. The Tigers come into the game 7-0 and 5-0 in the conference and looking to build on their resume as they get closer to their goal of winning the division. That feat will this week have to go through Boston College and its formidable rushing attack. As Coach Steve Addazio will bring their two headed running back combination to see if they can upset the Tigers.
The Eagles just off a dominating performance over NC State last week, a game that saw the BC rushing attack explode and amass over 400 yards on the day. That same M.O is what you can expect from Coach Addazio and the Eagles to bring into Clemson on Saturday night.
The Tigers on the other hand, look to build off last weeks last 3 quarters of action at Louisville. The Tiger defense was outstanding and able to shut down the Cardinals mutli-facted offense. Trevor Lawrence and the Tiger offense got rolling in the last 3 stanzas of last week’s game. Looking to continue on with that momentum and see of Travis Etienne can surpass the century mark again.
When Clemson Has the Ball: Look for the Tigers to force feed a lot of ET9 (Travis Etienne) early and often to soften up the middle of that Eagles defense. The Eagles are not deep at all and if you can tire them early and use the depth Clemson has on the Offensive Line to tire out the BC line… Then its the perfect recipe for the Tigers “Soup of the Day”.. A lot of Amari Rodgers. We think Clemson and coordinators Scott & Elliot reach into the playbook and we see a lot of screens and perimeter passing. In other words get ready to see #3 with the ball in his hands a lot on Saturday night. Just as a weary Eagles D adjust’ to the “quick” game.. BOOM.. over the top to Higgins and Ross for a huge gain. Clemson and Trevor Lawrence put up big numbers on this evening. TL16 goes for 250 plus 3 TDS and ET9 rolls for 125 as Clemson continues along with its goal of “winning the division”.
When BC Has the Ball: The Eagles are as once faceted as they come. Run, run , run.. They pound the ball with future NFL star AJ Dillon and his counterpart David Bailey. The pair of backs just off a dominating performance last week. One that saw both back surpass the century mark. But as we said it’s “run..run..run” The loss of season starting Qb Anthony Brown has been a big one. The passing game is now run by Dennis Grosel who is 18/48 on the year for 235 yards 3TD ‘s and one pick. Bottom line here is watch for the Tigers to move back to more 4 man fronts on the defense. Loading the box and bringing a safety down in the box (Simmons spies Dillon) and run blitz packages to stuff the gaps. Keeping their eyes on the tight ends as you the Brent Venables defense is expecting “eye candy” with multiple formations and trick plays will be in there to keep things honest. Look for the Eagles to have glimpses of success, but the Tiger Defense finds a way to keep Dillon corralled for the better part of the day. BC’s inability to stretch the field in the passing game makes them one dimensional and that is the formula for aAs he will find a way to take that main weapon out of the picture.
Special Teams:
BC: Punter Grant Carlson is averaging 41.31 per kick on the season and his team mate at PK Aaron Boumerhi is 6 for 9 with a long of 45.
Clemson: BT Potter won back his OK job with a 51 yarder last week early in the Louisville game and look for Potter to trot out for all the PK duties.. Now 6 for 10 on the year. Will Spiers is quietly having a good senior season now up to 42.3 yards per punt on the year.
