Clemson Football 2017 Opponent Preview: Boston College
As the summer comes to a close and we enter fall camp, Rubbing The Rock will be taking a look at the Clemson Football program’s 2017 schedule. This edition features, the Tigers’ week 4 opponent, Boston College.
Boston College has hovered around .500 for the past five seasons. The Eagles are 0-5 vs. Clemson in those five years. It is difficult for a program like Boston College to compete in the ACC, because of their small recruiting profile. The state of Massachusetts only produces a handful of major division one prospects each year, not enough to sustain a program.
Current Head Coach: Steve Addazio (5th year)
Overall Record in 2016: 7-6
Steve Addazio enters the 2017 season with a 24-27 overall record, far from ideal. That being said, the Eagles have finished 7-6 in three of the last four seasons. The only glaringly bad year Boston College has had on Addazio’s watch was in 2015 when they finished the season 3-9.
It’s also important to remember that this is Boston College, so the expectations are not as intense. Addazio has turned this program into a defensive powerhouse, he just needs some offense to go with it.
Statistical leaders in 2016:
Passing – Patrick Towles (Grad), 50.5 completion percentage, 1,730 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Rushing – John Hillman (Jr), 184 attempts, 542 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Receiving – Michael Walker (Jr), 33 receptions, 420 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Tackles – Connor Strachan (Sr), 80 total, 48 solo.
Sacks – Harold Landry (Sr), 16.5.
Interceptions – John Johnson (Grad), 3.
Key players in 2017:
Offensively –
John Hillman is without a doubt, Boston College’s most important offensive player in 2017. The Eagles lost a ton of production when Patrick Towles’ eligibility expired at the end of the 2016 season. Hillman was the Eagles next best offensive weapon a year ago.
Now that the Eagles must break in a new starter at quarterback, Hillman’s role in this offense will surely expand. The best remedy to take pressure off of an inexperienced quarterback is a strong running game. Hillman will be forced to tote the rock at least 20 times a game early on in the season to help acclimate Boston College’s new signal caller.
Defensively –
Similar to Hillman, Harold Landry is unequivocally the most important defender on this Boston College defense. Landry would have been selected in the top two rounds of the 2017 NFL draft had he entered his name. Luckily for the Eagles – unfortunately for the rest of the ACC – Landry opted to return for his senior season.
At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds Landry is as complete a player you will find in all of college football. He is a 4-3 defensive end who can play either strong side or weakside. He has an elite first step as evident in his 16.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss a season ago. The most underrated aspect of his game is his active hands, he is constantly batting down passes and disrupting throwing lanes. I believe he is a sure-fire first round pick in 2018.
Clemson 2017 Opponent Preview: Louisville
While Boston College’s defense has more than enough talent to slow Clemson’s offense, I can’t see how this Eagles offense will manufacture any points against the Tigers. Clemson’s defensive line is going to be elite in 2017, as such it will be nearly impossible to get anything going on the ground. Consequently, forcing Boston College to try and beat them through the air. With the Tigers talent on the back end and the Eagles lack of a true deep threat, throwing the ball is not the answer either.