Keys to Victory: No. 4 Clemson vs Boston College

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Each week we give you a look at the history of the game, three keys to success, plus our staff predictions.

The Match-Up:

#4 Clemson (7-0, 5-0 ACC) vs Boston College (4-4, 2-2 ACC)

Clemson at Boston College 2018

Clemson vs. Boston College 2017

All-Time Series:

Clemson leads: 17-9-2
at Clemson: Clemson leads 7-3-1
at Boston College: Clemson leads 9-6-1
Neutral: Clemson leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Clemson won 27-7 (2018)
Last Boston College win: 16-10 (2010 at BC)
Streak: Clemson has won 8 straight in the series

Listen Live: Fox Sports Radio 1400 on iHeart Radio

Stat of the Week:

Saturday's contest will mark a major milestone for a member of Clemson's coaching staff, as the game will represent Offensive Line Coach Robbie Caldwell's 500th career game. Per a survey of sports information directors around the country, Caldwell, now in his 42nd season coaching and his ninth at Clemson, is believed to join Northwestern Defensive Coordinator Mike Hankwitz as the only active FBS coaches to reach the 500-game mark.

Clemson will welcome its alumni for homecoming this weekend, but Death Valley has not been particularly welcoming to visiting teams in recent years. Clemson seeks a 20th consecutive home victory for the second time in school history. Clemson is 40-1 in its last 41 home games.

The Tigers are outscoring opponents by an average of 28.0 points per game this season. That mark is nearly identical to the 28.6-point margin through seven games produced by Clemson's 2018 squad that became major college football's first 15-0 team since 1897.

Key 1: Be rough for Robbie

When Boston College initially joined the ACC, they were a team that was built to give Clemson trouble upfront by winning the line of scrimmage. Over the past few seasons, the Tigers have improved on both sides of the ball and have been one of the best on the line of scrimmage in America. This season is no different.

While it may come as a surprise that the defensive line has played so well minus four former starters, now playing in the NFL, the offensive line was expected to strong in 2019, and they’ve delivered. 

As we mentioned above, today will mark Robbie Caldwell’s 500th game as a coach and wouldn’t it be fitting to see Clemson win big upfront against a former nemesis in the trenches?

Key 2: Let Etienne Eat

It feels like old hat to bring this up every week, but as much as we’d like to feel secure in Clemson’s willingness to run the football, we just don’t. Last week, Etienne rushed for 192 yards with ease and yet he seems underutilized. 

Last Saturday on his final carry Etienne pulled up lame, tweaking his ankle, but as long as he’s good to go you have to feed him. After averaging 8.1 yards per carry last season, Etienne is currently pushing that number at 8.0 yards per attempt.

Etienne is attempting to rush for 100 yards in three consecutive games for the first time this season and the first time since the South Carolina, Pitt, and Notre Dame games last season.

It feels like giving the junior running back touches early will open things up downfield.

Key 3: Stuff the Line

Downhill football at its finest will be on display tomorrow as A.J. Dillon (6’0, 250) and David Bailey (6’1, 240) bring the first power running game to Brent Venables’ defense in 2019. The Tigers have done an incredible job holding running backs to under 100 yards recently.

In fact, last weekend, Louisville running back Javian Hawkins exceeded 100 rushing yards, snapping Clemson’s streak of 27 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher, becoming the first opponent to rush for 100 yards on Clemson since Georgia Tech’s KirVonte Benson on Oct. 28, 2017. 

What has to be frustrating for the defense is that most of Hawkins’ yards came late in the contest against the backups. 

As for BC, they will bring Dillon and Bailey in between the tackles time and time again. Our guess is that Clemson gives a more traditional 4-3 look this weekend to slow the Eagles and put more pressure on backup quarterback, Dennis Grosel, to make plays with his arm.

Prediction:

The formula for Clemson from this point forward is simple: play focused football with attention to detail and you should win every game by a score roughly in the 42-14 range. That’s honestly who the Tigers are by comparison to their contemporaries on the schedule. (That’s also with Dabo Swinney calling off the dogs.)

All the chirping about Clemson not being in the playoff is just that, chirping. Keep winning and the reigning champions will get a spot on the field in one of the two semifinal contests. 

As for this evening, under Death Valley’s lights, expect Clemson to play well as they enter the backend of the regular season. 

Swanny’s Prediction: 49-13 Clemson

Final Score Predictions: 

Perfect Prediction = 5 points              Best Prediction = 3 Points         Correct Prediction = 1 Point 

👑= 2018 Prediction Champion

**Pick of the Week: Indicates the best prediction.