Clemson football vs. Boston College: Scouting report, score prediction
Games at Boston College always rekindle positive memories for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.
“I always look forward to going up there,” Swinney said. “To me it’s a special place to go – that was the first game we ever won.”
Indeed, Swinney’s first victory as a head coach came in 2008 at Boston College’s Alumni Stadium, 27-21, behind running back C.J. Spiller and his 252 total yards.
“If we don’t win that game, I’m probably not here today,” Swinney said. He had his interim tag removed at the conclusion of the 2008 regular season.
Swinney has won 154 games since that first victory and guided the Tigers to six College Football Playoff berths and two national titles. No. 5 Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC) can take another step toward a seventh ACC title in eight years with a win against Boston College (2-3, 1-2) on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC).
Here’s what to know about the matchup and a score prediction:
RUN STOPPERSClemson's defense has risen to No. 2 in the nation in stuffing the run
NO BRESEEClemson football will face Boston College without defensive lineman Bryan Bresee
NEW POSITIONClemson safety Andrew Mukuba may be counted on to play cornerback as well
Honoring the ‘Man in the Red Bandana’
Saturday’s game has been designated Boston College’s annual Red Bandana game. The Red Bandana game honors Boston College graduate Welles Crowther, who wore a red bandana while he saved as many as a dozen lives in the terrorist attacks on New York City’s Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. Crowther died in the attacks.
“That’s an amazing tribute they do to him,” Swinney said. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet his family and in fact, I still have a red bandana. It’s in my briefcase right now, today. I have a lot of admiration for who he was and his family and how Boston College has shined that light on that sacrifice.”
Clemson run defense coming on strong
Despite the absence of several key defensive linemen, Clemson leads the ACC and ranks second nationally in run defense, which doesn’t bode well for Boston College.
The Tigers are holding opponents to 69.6 yards per game on the ground while the Eagles are last in the ACC and 129th nationally in rushing offense at 77.8.
Still, Swinney is wary of the Eagles’ running backs, including freshman Alex Broome, who had 83 yards on just nine carries in a win against Louisville last week, including a 40-yard touchdown run.
“He’s got another gear and can take it to the house,” Swinney said.
Dabo on Zay Flowers: ‘He is a problem’
While Clemson’s run defense has been solid if not spectacular, the Tigers’ pass defense has been suspect at best, and that could mean trouble against Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec and star wide receiver Zay Flowers.
Flowers had five receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns last week, with his scores covering 57 and 69 yards.
“You’ve got to find No. 4,” Swinney said of Flowers. “He’s as good of a player as there is in college football. He’s one of those guys who makes bad calls into great calls – he’s a “no, no no … go, go, go.” He is a great player. He is a problem.”
Uiagalelei looks to continue progression
After a slow start, Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has shown vast improvement. Last season he had nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions; in five games this season he has 11 touchdowns and one interception and has thrown 103 consecutive passes without an interception.
“Their quarterback is playing at a high level,” Boston College coach Jeff Hafley said. “He’s extremely efficient throwing the ball and they’re running him more.”
Uiagalelei rushed for a career-high 73 yards and two scores last week against NC State and could become the first Clemson quarterback with at least 50 yards rushing in four straight games since Deshaun Watson in 2015.
Score prediction
Clemson 38, Boston College 13: Clemson has dominated the series against Boston College in terms of wins and losses and Swinney is 13-1 against the Eagles, but five of those games have been decided by six points or less, including each of the last two meetings. Don’t expect this one to follow suit.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football vs. Boston College: Scouting report, score prediction
