2018 Opponent Series: Boston College - Nov. 10
Over the next two weeks, we will be giving you an inside look at every opponent on Clemson's schedule. The road to a fourth straight ACC Championship and another College Football Playoff trip begins September 1 against Furman.
2018 Opponent Series
- Sept. 1 vs. Furman
- Sept. 8 @ Texas A&M (Premium)
- Sept. 15 vs. Georgia Southern
- Sept. 22 @ Georgia Tech
- Sept. 29 vs. Syracuse
- Oct. 6 @ Wake Forest
- Oct. 20 vs. NC State (Premium)
- Oct. 27 @ Florida State (Premium)
- Nov. 3 vs. Louisville
Under Steve Addazio, Boston College has put together four 7-win seasons in 5 years. With all the talent returning, the chemistry is certainly there to turn 7 wins into 9 or 10, and that's the key for Addazio's group.
“I just feel that’s what college football is all about, and the ability to be together -- there has to be a passion and has to be a love for each other. These guys have got to believe that they're the most important thing to us, me, as the head coach and to our staff, that we're going to do everything we can to make it great for them. That their world is important to us, not just on the field but off the field. And that's part of being a part of a family,” Addazio said at the ACC Kickoff.
The Eagles return redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Brown, who was sidelined with an injury last year and sophomore running back A.J. Dillon. Dillon was picked by the media as the preseason ACC Player-of-the-Year. Williams rushed for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs last year as a part of an explosive running game that averaged 220.4 yards per game last season.
Dillon should continue to see more opportunities to carry the ball this season as the offense has made an effort to go faster, something that Addazio says the Eagles focused on before their bowl game against Maryland in 2016.
Defense at Boston College has always been a huge focal point, and expect that to continue this fall as the Eagles return 4 guys that had at 13 starts in 2017 led by senior defensive lineman Zach Allen, who had to step in for Harold Landry, who battled injury during his final year in Chestnut Hill. Allen feels prepared to take on more of a leadership role in 2018.
“Yeah, the first part with Harold, obviously having him on the other side of the line definitely helped out a lot. But even when he went down, having Wyatt Ray come in was really a seamless transition. He's an elite end, too, so I don't think too much is really going to change this year,” Allen said.
Boston College gave Clemson a run for their money last year in Death Valley, and we had it listed as our top potential trap game for Clemson this season. Chestnut Hill will not be an easy place to win, that's for sure.
Boston College Eagles
Head coach: Steve Addazio, sixth year
Last season: 7-6 overall, 4-4 in ACC play; lost to Iowa 27-20 in the Pinstripe Bowl
Returning starters: 9 offense, 6 defense
Players to Watch
Tommy Sweeney (Tight end, Gr.) - The 6’5, 250-pound Ramsey, N.J. native was the go-to target in the Boston College passing game, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue. The All-ACC preseason pick had 36 catches for 512 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2017.
John Lamot (Linebacker, RsSo.) - The Graham, N.C. native was named the 2017 ACC defensive rookie of the year by the Atlantic Coast Media Sports Association and looks to pick up where Lamot had 63 tackles which ranked 5th on the team.
Lukas Denis (Defensive back, Sr.) - Denis had an active 2017 season and looks to continue that. The Walter Camp Football Foundation Second Team All-American ranked 17th nationally with 10 pass breakups.
2018 Schedule
Sept. 1 - vs. UMass
Sept. 8 - vs. Holy Cross
Sept. 13 (Thurs.) - at Wake Forest
Sept. 22 - at Purdue
Sept. 29 - vs. Temple
Oct. 6 - at NC State
Oct. 13 - vs. Louisville
Oct. 26 (Fri.) - vs. Miami
Nov. 3 - at Virginia Tech
Nov. 10 - vs. Clemson
Nov. 17 - at Florida State
Nov. 24 - vs. Syracuse
HOME games in bold