Clemson at Boston College Opening Line & The Basics

With a win over the NC State Wolfpack in the bank and a 4-2 record overall, the Clemson at Boston College game presents a big opportunity for the Eagles.

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The O’Rourke-McFadden Trophy will be on the line this Saturday as these two division rivals meet. Boston College gave Tajh Boyd and the Tigers a difficult game at Clemson last season, but this edition of Clemson has an injured starting quarterback, and the game is at Alumni Stadium.

However, these Tigers do feature a stout defense, and are going to make any path to victory for the Eagles very rocky. The battle beyond Boston College’s top five rushing offense and Clemson’s top ten rushing defense should be entertaining.

The game primer:

Clemson at Boston College Opening Line

Clemson -7.5

Clemson at Boston College: Us

• Head Coach Steve Addazio (2nd; 11-8)
• Last game: defeated NC State, 30-14
• This season: 4-2 (1-1 ACC)
• 2-2 at Alumni Stadium this season (5-1 last year)

Clemson at Boston College: Them

• Head Coach Dabo Swinney (7th; 55-25)
• Last game: defeated Louisville, 23-17
• This season: 4-2 (3-1 ACC)
• Three-game win streak following loss at Florida State
• Lost only two road games, both against ranked teams (Georgia and FSU)

Clemson at Boston College: The Game

• 24th all-time meeting between Eagles and Tigers
• Clemson leads series, 12-9-2
• Most recent meeting: Clemson wins, 24-14 (at Clemson; 2013)
• Clemson on a three-game win streak
• Last BC win: 2010 (16-10 at Alumni Stadium)

• Saturday, October 18, 2014, 3:30pm ET
• TV: ESPNU
• Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
• Long-range forecast: Mostly sunny, 70

Clemson at Boston College: Initial Evaluation

The line is reasonable and fair to Boston College. Prior to the NC State game, it would have probably been closer to 14 points than 7.5.

Boston College is playing with the house’s money, as they say. This past Saturday, they got the game they needed to have, and now, the Eagles get a chance to steal a game at home which they are not expected to win. All the pressure is on Clemson, newly ranked once again.

With Deshaun Watson out, Boston College caught a big break which they will hope to exploit. The Eagles have been very unpredictable (read: inconsistent), but look for them to play with a chip on their shoulders in the Homecoming game.

The Tigers defense is excellent, and may be the toughest they will face all season, only at the possible exclusion of Florida State.