Clemson’s path: win early downs vs BC’s pass-heavy attack, lean on the run, protect Cade Klubnik, finish red-zone chances, and let the front seven hunt.
1) Win 1st & 2nd Down vs. BC’s Air-First Identity
Boston College under Bill O’Brien skews throw-heavy and wants to live in rhythm concepts and intermediate digs. The plan for Clemson: disrupt timing on early downs so BC faces third-and-long instead of manageable thirds. Show two-high shells pre-snap, rotate late, and mix simulated pressures to make the young quarterback reset. When BC gets behind the sticks, their efficiency drops and the checkdowns come out—exactly where Clemson can rally and tackle.
Defensive message all week: start fast, show disguise, and make them drive.
2) Turn It Into a Pass-Protection Game—for Both Sides
Clemson’s front is the matchup tilt. Use creepers, nickel pressure, and interior stunts to test BC’s protections without sacrificing coverage numbers. On the other side, keep Cade Klubnik clean with quick game, play-action keepers, and chips on known rushers. If Clemson wins pressure rate while keeping explosives in front on defense, the hidden yards swing hard toward the Tigers.
Expect BC to answer with screens, tempo, and max-pro—stay disciplined on rush lanes.
3) Lean on the Ground to Finish Drives
The data says you can throw on BC; the film says you should finish with the run. Spread the front, force perimeter tackling, and hammer duo/inside zone when boxes lighten. Use pin-pull and toss to stress force/fit defenders, then marry it with RPOs to keep safeties honest. Clemson’s run game doesn’t need volume—just timely efficiency in the low red and four-minute.
Coaching point: “Be patient—four yards a pop becomes explosives when they tire.”
4) Red-Zone and Fourth-Down Math
This feels like a possession game where three or four snaps decide it. In the low red, lean on condensed formations and motion to create leverage for slants and glance RPOs; when the field shrinks, bully ball matters. If the run efficiency shows up, be aggressive on fourth-and-short inside the BC 40. Conversely, force BC to kick—coverage-sound on fades, alert to TE pop passes, and plaster on scramble drills.
Goal-line checklist: win pad level, win edges, and protect the football.
5) Bottle the WR1, Steal a Possession
BC’s wideout room has a true WR1 who unlocks their vertical game. Shade help to his side on money downs, vary press techniques, and challenge back-shoulders without gifting free releases. This is also a takeaway game: one strip sack, one tipped-ball pick can be the difference on the road. Complement it offensively by avoiding the giveaway—no cheap short fields.
Klubnik’s tone this week: calm, confident, “we know who we are.”
Bottom line
If Clemson wins early downs, tilts the pressure battle, and trades field goals for touchdowns, the Tigers’ defensive front and a steadier run game travel well enough to bring home a road win from Chestnut Hill.