Swinney and Tigers Readying For Big Boy Football
CLEMSON—The No. 2/4 Clemson Tigers (7-0, 5-0 ACC) will celebrate homecoming this week, as they take on Atlantic Division rival Boston College (4-3, 2-2 ACC) Saturday (7:30 p.m., ACCN) inside Death Valley.
"We are pumped to be back in Death Valley," head coach Dabo Swinney said. "We've got just three home games left. Hard to believe. These opportunities are special. It's Homecoming. I always enjoy getting out with the students this week and watching their progress on the floats. I know it's raining but it's never slowed anything down around here.
Even though the Tigers are returning home this week, they will still have an opportunity to fire up the ROY bus and show it off for the fans in orange this week.
Once again this week, an undefeated Clemson squad will have an opportunity to respond in the face of public doubt. Clemson has dropped in the AP Poll in each of the last two weeks despite conference wins of 31 and 35, respectively. Clemson is 23-4 under Dabo Swinney when ranked lower in the AP Poll than in its previous contest, including 15 straight wins in such scenarios.
"Boston College is 4-3. They have had two last-minute losses to Louisville and Wake Forest. They didn't play well against Kansas. They're very competitive," Swinney said. "I've been impressed with what they have done. That game last week, it's like watching 1990 all over again when you watch the tape. No tricking anyone. It's just downhill football. This is old school. There is a certain physicality that you have to have in a game like this. I'm anxious to see how our guys respond to the challenge that BC will present."
The Tigers will, for the second straight week, face an offense that want to run the ball first.
"They're sixth in the nation in rushing offense," Swinney said. "We're 10th in total offense and they're 11th in total offense. They're No. 1 in fewest sacks allowed. They run the ball a lot, plus their passing game is play action, boots and screens.
"They have great tempo, which is unusual with them. Mostly they are a 12-personnel team. They do a nice job. Their two backs, 240 and 250, they're big, big backs. They like contact, they move the pile and they have a lot of pride in what they do. They're well-coached and well-coordinated. They're going to line up and run the ball. They're going to keep handing it off. They just wore N.C. State down last week. They rushed for 429 yards on N.C. State and N.C. State had been giving up just 67 yards rushing going in."
The Eagles defense, while having seven new starters opened the season on defense for Boston College, have averaged 32.0 points per game last season, the fifth-best single-game average in school history. In 2019, the Eagles are scoring 34.6 points per game
However, even though the Eagles are having a difficult season on defense, they are still a very formidable opponent.
"Defensively, they're man-coverage, they don't have great depth up front but have created some pressure with their blitz schemes," Swinney said. "They've tried to stay out of third and long and have done a great job there with their coverage and double-rat stuff. We have to be efficient on offense. We have to stay on schedule. A lot of man coverage. They will line up and challenge you."
That sentiment was echoed by co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott, who also believes that the Eagles will challenge a Tiger offense that is beginning to click at a high level.
"BC, obviously every year you play them, you know what you're going to get. A physical, tough group, very well coached," Scott said. "They're going to be in the right positions. I think they do a great job, the way that they coordinate their defense. Give you a lot of different looks, especially on third down, and they make you earn everything that you get. You don't see a lot of busted assignments, or anything like that. These guys are smart players and play extremely hard. So, we'll be looking forward to that challenge here. Saturday night in Death Valley."
