Keys to Victory: Clemson at Boston College

The Match-Up:

Clemson (2-3, 1-2 ACC) vs. Boston College (1-4, 0-3 ACC)

The Tigers head to Chestnut Hill for a chilly October clash against Boston College, looking to build momentum off last week’s 38-10 rout of North Carolina. Clemson will aim to maintain its offensive rhythm while continuing to develop its evolving backfield and tight end usage under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

• Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
• TV: ACC Network (Chris Cotter, Forrest Conoly, Kendra Douglas)
• Radio: Clemson Athletic Network (Don Munson, Tim Bourret, Reggie Merriweather),  SiriusXM 371
• Venue: Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, Mass.)

Storylines:

Clemson looked like a different team last week in Chapel Hill, exploding for 28 points in the first quarter and showing signs that the offense may finally be finding its groove. The conversion of Adam Randall from wide receiver to running back continues to pay off in a big way, while Christian Bentancur’s breakout performance at tight end adds another versatile weapon to the mix.

Boston College, meanwhile, continues to play hard under Bill O’Brien, but has struggled to finish this season. The Eagles are banged up on defense, which would lead you to believe the Tigers’ offense should have a lot of success. 

Fun Fact:

Clemson enters this game having not lost to a team with a losing record at the time of kickoff since falling to 2-5 Boston College in 2010. Clemson has won 35 straight games against teams with losing records, the nation's third-longest active streak according to Stats Perform (Alabama, 38; Ohio State, 36).

Series History:

• OVERALL: Clemson leads series, 21-9-2
• HOME: Clemson leads series, 10-3-1
• ROAD: Clemson leads series, 10-6-1
• NEUTRAL: Clemson leads series, 1-0
• LAST MEETING: Oct. 8, 2022 (31-3, W)
• STREAK: Clemson, Won 12

Clemson is attempting to win its 13th consecutive game against Boston College, dating back to 2011. Clemson’s active 12-game winning streak against Boston College is its seventh-longest all-time against a single opponent, its fifth-longest active streak, and its second-longest active streak against an ACC opponent.

Swanny’s Rant & Reality Check:

“Clemson looked confident again last week — finally. Certainly a big part of that was the issues that plague North Carolina right now, but if the Tigers bring that same energy to Chestnut Hill, this one could be over by halftime. Consistency has been the problem. Cade Klubnik’s got to build on that UNC performance, and this defense needs to make life miserable for BC’s offense. Keep the gas down — no more step-backs.”

Keys to Victory:

1. Keep Feeding Randall: The converted wideout is slowly emerging as a matchup nightmare out of the backfield. Against North Carolina, Randall caught two touchdowns and ran with authority, showcasing why this position change could define the second half of Clemson’s season. If he can find the end zone twice more through the air, he’ll set a new Clemson mark in the modern era (since 1953) for touchdown catches by a running back. His versatility — running routes like a receiver while delivering power between the tackles — gives Klubnik a safety valve and keeps defenses guessing.

2. Tight End Creativity: Involving the tight end on offense makes every team more difficult to defend. Last weekend, Christian Bentancur, Clemson’s redshirt freshman tight end, hauled in two touchdowns at UNC, marking what may be a Clemson first — a tight end and running back each with multiple receiving TDs in the same game, according to Tim Bourret. Bentancur’s emergence helps Riley stretch the field vertically and horizontally. When the tight end is active, the offense stays on schedule. Clemson’s attack looks smoother when Klubnik spreads the ball between Randall, Bentancur, and receivers like Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. Keep it balanced, and the rhythm will come.

3. Pressure and Produce Points on Defense: Tom Allen’s sideline energy was palpable last week, and it made a difference. Clemson’s defense looked energized, but now it’s time to start increasing the number of takeaways and turning those into points. A defensive score could be the knockout punch in a road game where momentum often swings fast. Expect Wade Woodaz, Sammy Brown, and T.J. Parker to lead the charge up front against an Eagles line that’s allowed too many clean shots at the quarterback.

Prediction:

Clemson’s offense has finally shown signs of balance, and the defense looks energized under Allen. If the Tigers execute early and avoid turnovers, this one shouldn’t be close. Boston College has an injury report that looks like a receipt from CVS on the defensive side of the ball, which should only further the Tigers’ success this evening.

The Pick: Clemson 38, Boston College 13

Season Record: 2-3

Swanny’s Predictions:

✅ = Correct Prediction