Clemson at Boston College: Opening Line & The Basics
By Joe Micik
Joshua S. Kelly-US PRESSWIRE
Boston College football got to enjoy a week off, but from here on in, it’s all difficult for the Eagles.
Between now and late November, there will be no breaks in the schedule, either literally or figuratively. The next game coming up could either be an improbable upset or a real sock in the mouth as the #17 Clemson Tigers come to pay BC a visit.
Not surprisingly, the Eagles enter this game as 10-point underdogs, though to be honest, I expected the line to be closer to two touchdowns. Most recently, on September 15, Boston College went to Northwestern and played a sub-par game, losing to the Wildcats by nine. Meanwhile, Clemson played in a very entertaining contest against Florida State; the Tigers led for a while, but the Seminoles’ talent eventually overwhelmed them.
The previous game a team plays doesn’t mean a thing towards the next game (unless a rash of key players get injured, then it means something), but the way Clemson played on Saturday night speaks fairly well of them. It was a tough, tough game but they proved that they’re legitimately a top 20 team. They didn’t ace the test but the Tigers acquitted themselves decently in a fun game to watch. As for the Eagles, that sort of effort two weekends ago wouldn’t beat a whole lot of teams (the offense was less impressive and the defense allowed 560 yards, though rarely allowing touchdowns — a better team like Clemson might not have stalled out in the red zone so many times). Thankfully, it is a new day.
You’re kidding yourselves if you don’t think this will be a difficult game, though it’s doubtful that many BC fans feel that way. The Eagles are going to have to earn it by playing by far their best game to date. The Tigers could be on track for a flat, “letdown game” sort of effort (though that’s usually after you win a big game), but even at that, Boston College is a big underdog for a reason. With bowl eligibility potentially in peril, if they have any tricks up their sleeve, this would be the appropriate week to bust them out.