The Clemson football team will host the Boston College Eagles Saturday night in Death Valley. Here are five storylines to watch in the ACC Atlantic matchup.
The Clemson football team improved to 7-0 on the season with an impressive win over the Louisville Cardinals last Saturday, but now the Tigers will return home.
Clemson is currently on a 22-game winning streak and is looking to continue this impressive feat with a win over the Boston College Eagles.
The Tigers are ranked No. 4 by the AP Poll and No. 2 in the Coaches’ Poll.
Here are five storylines to watch for Clemson football heading into the Boston College matchup.
5. ACC Atlantic Standings
It’s actually time that Clemson football fans can begin to look at the ACC Atlantic standings.
The Tigers are currently 5-0 in the ACC, ahead of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1 in the ACC). With a win Saturday, every team in the ACC Atlantic would be eliminated from winning the division other than Clemson, Wake Forest and NC State (1-2 in the ACC). The Wolfpack would be eliminated should they lose this weekend to Wake Forest.
Though Clemson can’t clinch the division this weekend, it can become a two-team race. It’s the next goal for the Tigers and the next step for getting back to the CFB Playoff.
For those wondering, Clemson football could potentially clinch the division at NC State on Nov. 9 with a win and a Wake Forest loss. If the Demon Deacons don’t lose another game, the Atlantic Division could come down to the matchup between the two teams the very next week on Nov. 16 in Death Valley.
4. It Could Be Rainy
It certainly should be noted that it looks like it’s going to rain this weekend in Clemson.
If you look at the weather forecast, the rain will likely be little throughout the morning and afternoon with it becoming more prevalent Saturday evening and through the night.
Should it rain, the game may turn into a battle of rushing attacks.
Boston College has a solid rushing attack led by AJ Dillon, but the Tigers have one of the nation’s best defenses.
Clemson will rely on Travis Etienne and Lyn-J Dixon to get the job done against a suspect Boston College defense.
3. Defensive Dominance
Can Clemson continue its defensive dominance?
What the Tigers have done through the first seven games of this season has been nothing short of spectacular.
From the productivity of Isaiah Simmons and the linebacker core, to the explosiveness of the defensive line, to the reliability of the secondary, the Tiger defense has been a major surprise.
While most Clemson football fans didn’t expect the defense to take a major dip, everyone thought they would not be as good as last year’s unit. So far, one could argue that this group has been just as effective, if not more effective, even though it’s being done in a different way.
Can that continue Saturday night against Boston College?
2. Homecoming
Clemson will celebrate Homecoming Saturday and it’s always a special time for Tiger fans and alumni.
The whole atmosphere of Homecoming is special and it’s certainly something great to be a part of.
If you’re making your way into Tiger Town, make sure you take a few extra minutes and stop by Bowman Field to see all the floats on the lawn.
As part of the festivities, former Tiger LB Levon Kirkland will be enshrined into the Clemson Ring of Honor prior to the game.
It’s a special Saturday and one that Clemson football fans look forward to each and every season. Rain or shine, it should be an awesome time.
1. Off and Running
Can the offense get out to a quick start?
The Clemson football offense struggled for the better part of the first half against Louisville last weekend. The Tigers led just 10-3 for the majority of the second quarter before scoring with less than a minute remaining in the half.
The offense has had its challenges this season, but something tells me the unit is ready to have a big weekend.
Look for Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne and Co. to come out firing on all cylinders.
They are going to have an opportunity to prove to the rest of the nation that nothing is wrong and Boston College has one of the worst defenses in the conference.