An Insider’s Look at Clemson
By Ben Neuwirth
First posted on bostoncollege.247sports.com
247Sports talked to Anna Hickey of Clemson 247 and Anthony Messenger at Rubbing the Rock about Boston College’s upcoming game against the Tigers. BC lost 56-10 in their meeting last year at Alumni Stadium. Clemson went on to win the National Championship.
1) Clemson lost many star offensive players from last year’s title team, including 1st round picks Deshaun Watson and Mike Williams, how well are their replacements picking up the slack?
Anna Hickey – I’d say pretty well. Quarterback Kelly Bryant wasn’t named the starter until fall camp had almost concluded. And through three games he’s shown good command of the offense, made smart decisions, and been particularly valuable on the ground. Perhaps most important, he’s been accurate. Clemson has an abundance of talent at wide receiver. Juniors Deon Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud and Hunter Renfrow make up the starters, and their among tops in the nation as a unit. Clemson is using a committee approach this year at running back. You’ll see four guys on Saturday run the ball. Freshmen Travis Etienne and sophomore Tavien Feaster are the most talented of the quartet, but C.J. Fuller and Adam Choice are more experienced off-ball, namely in pass protection.
Anthony Messenger – Kelly Bryant has done a great job of playing to his strengths. He has used his legs well while taking care of the football through the air. With the talent around him, Bryant doesn’t need to be superman. Replacing Mike Williams has been a group effort for Clemson. Veterans, Deon Cain, Hunter Renfrow and Ray-Ray McCloud, all bring different strengths to the table. Through this point in the season, all three have been productive.
2) Having already beaten 2 ranked teams this year, what are fans expectations for this season? Are they realistic?
AH – After beating Louisville that convincingly, fans have their sights set once again on the College Football Playoff. I think with Deondre Francois at Florida State being sidelined for the year, and that game being played in Death Valley, Clemson fans look at every game remaining as should-win. If Clemson continues on the trajectory its on, I’d say it’s realistic. Three games is a small sample size, though.
AM – At the moment, expectations are sky-high for Clemson. The fans remember all too well how sluggish the Tigers appeared through the first half of the 2016 season, which ended with a National Championship. Considering the players that Clemson was forced to replace this season, they are playing perhaps better at this point in the season than a year ago.
3) Who are 2 players to watch on the offensive and defensive units for the Tigers?
AH – Offense: Right tackle, which is split between true sophomores Tremayne Anchrum and Sean Pollard. The co-starters were inconsistent against Auburn but had a better showing vs. Louisville. If Boston College lines Harold Landry up on that side, similar to how the Eagles tried to exploit freshman Robert Hainsey for Notre Dame, Landry could experience some success for sure.
Defense: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is among the top interior defensive linemen in the nation. I’m curious to see how BC’s true freshman holds up there.
Linebacker Dorian O’Daniel has been excellent through three games in coverage and in run support. He had a pick-6 against Lamar Jackson.
AM – On the offensive side of the ball keep an eye on Tavien Feaster. The sophomore running back has an opportunity to leap-frog CJ Fuller on Clemson’s depth chart with a strong performance in this one. He showed flashes of his 5-star potential against Louisville, recording 92 yards on 10 carries. I expect him to build off of that momentum against Boston College.
Look out for safety, Tanner Muse on the defensive side of the ball. After being ejected during the first quarter against Louisville, Muse will be chomping at the bit to hit somebody. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Muse is the enforcer on Clemson’s talented defense. He displays impressive closing speed and a mean streak in run support.
4) Clemson has a young secondary compared to the rest of their defense and despite the dominating win over Louisville, Lamar Jackson had over 300 yards passing. How has the secondary looked and is there a possibility BC could take advantage of it?
AH – The 300 yards passing are pretty misleading because Bobby Petrino kept Jackson in the game ’till the end. Clemson put its backups in early in the 4th quarter. I think Clemson’s secondary is very solid. But BC had some big bodies at tight end, so I could certainly see Tommy Sweeney or Chris Harrison getting loose downfield for a big gain.
AM – Clemson’s secondary has certainly taken it’s lumps at times this season, however, they have played well thus far. This may be the most talented secondary that Dabo Swinney has ever had during his time in Death Valley. They have experienced veterans in Ryan Carter and Van Smith, to go along with young talents in Tanner Muse and Trayvon Mullen. It’ll be difficult for Boston College to attack this secondary, because of the Tigers’ dominant front seven. Eagles quarterback, Anthony Brown won’t have much time to sit in the pocket and distribute the ball.
5) Who wins and why?
AH – Clemson wins. I don’t know if the Tigers win by 30+ as the spread suggests, but I think they cruise at home as long as they’re dialed in.
AM – I believe Clemson wins due to their talent in the trenches. Boston College hung with Notre Dame for most of their contest last week. The one area where the Eagles struggled was along the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame’s offensive line had their way with Boston College for most of the afternoon. I expect Clemson’s talented offensive and defensive lines to dictate this matchup.