[ad_1]
No. 2 Clemson (9-0, 6-0 ACC) will play at No. 17 Boston College (7-2, 4-1) on Saturday at 8 pm in a game that will be televised by ABC.
Here are our top five questions heading into the game:
Is Boston College ready for the moment?
Saturday's top 20 showdown with College GameDay in town is nothing new for Clemson. The Tigers have played away from home with GameDay College appearing at the 4-0 in those matchups. Clemson's roster is filled with veterans who have played in big games and excelled, while Boston College is making a rare appearance in the national spotlight. It will be interesting to see Steve Addazio's squad handles that being with the brand national game with the ACC Atlantic on the line.
How healthy is AJ Dillon?
The Boston College star running back and back Preseason Player of the Year has been limited to most of the season with an ankle injury. Addazio said this week that Dillon is a day-to-day guy. He's done a fabulous job of managing his injury, and we're just getting along. "Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has been when he has played this year. The sophomore is No. 4 nationally in yards per game with 128. He has played in seven of BC's nines games. "He'll play," Swinney said. "He has some nice plays, some tough yards. He does some of the stuff where you can not go 'Wow.' But he's pounding people. He's a sledgehammer in there. I do not doubt that it will be ready to go. "If Dillon is limited it will severely hurt BC's quest for an upset.
Which Anthony Brown will show up?
Boston College's quarterback looked like an All-American against Wake Forest when he passed for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-34 victory, but he was awful the following week against Purdue, finishing with 96 passing yards and four interceptions in a 30-13 loss. Clemson leads the nation in yards, giving up 2.2 yards per carry. The Tigers will stuff the box and try to make it Brown beat them with his arm. The sophomore has been a game manager this year, throwing for one touchdown in each of the past four games. If the Tigers can slow down Boston College's game and make Brown to make plays through the air, BC will need the Wake Forest version of Brown to show up and the Purdue one.
Does BC have the athletes to keep up?
The Boston College coaching staff has a great job of developing players, which is why the Eagles are in a position to contend for the ACC Atlantic title. With that said, there is a huge talent gap in the Clemson athletes recreated and the Boston College recruits. The Tigers have many five-star prospects and have finished in the top 20 in recruiting rankings each of the past four years. BC has finished No. 71, No. 67, No. 78 and No. 60 during that time, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. At some point in this game, overall talent could take over.
Can Clemson's offense be slowed down?
Over the past four games, all against ACC teams, Clemson's offense is averaging 60 points per game. Freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence has developed great chemistry with his receivers, and the running backs, led by Travis Etienne, have been impressive as well. Clemson's offensive line has been broken down and the Tigers rushed for 492 yards last week against Louisville. Boston College ranks No. 7 in the ACC in rushing defense and No. 7 in the ACC in passing defense and will have its best game of the year to have a chance to pull off the upset.
Prediction: The Clemson has had a good time and is playing with a freshman quarterback, it would not be a surprise to see that happen again. Steve Addazio's team is physically and mentally tough and will be ready to give Clemson a fight. I expect the Eagles to hang around for a half, but ultimately Clemson has a lot of playmakers and too much talent on both sides of the ball. Clemson pulls away late for a comfortable win and clinches the Atlantic ACC in the process.
Pick: Clemson 42, Boston College 17
[ad_2]
Source link
