Game Preview and Predictions for BC vs Clemson

by Quinn Kelly

Tonight, Boston College welcomes to the Heights the defending National runner-up.  Coming in ranked 3^rd in the nation, Clemson will be the highest ranked opponent to take the field at Alumni since 2003.  The Eagles will certainly have their hands full with Deshaun Watson and the rest of a very potent Tiger offense, but there is still plenty that they can do to make this a game.

While most expect the Tigers to come in and steam roll BC, if you’re betting on history (like I will be) this is more improbable than not; depending of course on your definition of being steam rolled.  In his tenure here at BC, Steve Addazio has had his ups and downs.  But one thing he has always done an excellent job of is getting his oft-overmatched team to keep games close against tough opponents.  At home, the Eagles are 1-3 against ranked opponents since Addazio started here in 2013.  The lone win, of course, was the huge upset against USC on the Red Bandana game two years ago.  Of the three losses, though, not a single one was by more than two scores, losing to an 8 and 9 ranked FSU by 14 twice, and a 24 ranked Clemson by 4.  The Eagles also get up for night games at Alumni.  In 5 such games with Addazio at the helm, the Eagles are 2-3.  They have only lost big once, a 38-19 trouncing at the hands of Louisville in 2014.  Outside of that, no loss has been a big one, losing by 10 to Pitt and only allowing a single touchdown to a very potent Florida State offense (with the Noles reaching the gap on a defensive fumble return for a TD).

That game, in which the Noles came in ranked 9^th (the highest last top 10 team to visit), was the Red Bandana Game.  The upset win over USC two years ago: also the Red Bandana Game.  Two top ten teams, two strong results (as much as the FSU game didn’t seem great, that was likely the best defensive performance all season and they stuck it out for a QB-less offense).  So when Clemson comes rolling in to find the Eagles dressed up in some red paisley garb, you can bet that they’re going to feel the pressure of the last two years.  This is a game that means a lot to the Eagles.  The Crowther family will be there, the stadium will be packed, and the student section will be raucous.  BC will be up to the challenge and will be giving everything to try to upset Clemson.  The sad caveat being, however, that this is the best opponent the Eagles have had to face at the Red Bandana Game.

I’m not going to tell you that I really believe the Eagles have a shot at winning this.  It’s certainly not impossible, but it would likely require not only us at our very best (which I think we’ll be at), but Clemson near their worst.  I’m not particularly high on Deshaun Watson, but he is a Heisman candidate and a damn good player.  The Clemson wide receiving core is probably the best in the nation.  With Williams, McCloud, Scott, and Cain, the Eagles secondary is going to have their hands full with their toughest test to date.  There’s just no rest in that group; it’s four guys that can all get up and down the field in a hurry and have great hands.  The defense is coming off one of their best performances ever, allowing just 67 yards last week to Buffalo.  But, Clemson has an offense that is devoid of a weak spot, with a strong running game anchored by Wayne Gallman and Watson to couple with the passing attack.

Clemson’s defense is no joke either.  They’re a disciplined group and the Eagles are going to have a tough time getting anything going against them.  If they want to win, though, they’re going to have to find a way.

Personally, I think the Eagles are set up well for this game.  The attitude on campus is that they have no shot in this game.  That’s not really unfair, it does look like a pipe dream to storm the field again tonight.  With that said, this means that winning’s not the end-all-be-all.  If BC keeps it interesting and close for four quarters tonight, that’s a win in my books and in many others’.  Sure, you’ll get the classic “I knew we were gonna lose the whole time, we suck!” students, but if that student section is full come the end of the game, then the Eagles have done a damn good job.  And if we somehow pull it off, you’ve witnessed the greatest upset win in Boston College history.

Now on to our contributor’s picks:

You can listen to WZBC’s call of the game at 7:30 on Newton 90.3 FM or at wzbc.org