Clemson finally looked like the team we expected to see against North Carolina. The offense was on fire with multiple different weapons getting involved in the passing game. Defensively, players were flying around making plays as the front controlled the line of scrimmage.
All the things we did not see in the first four weeks finally showed up against the Tar Heels. It seemed, much like last season, the bye week was what this team needed to get back on track. This weekend’s test against Boston College will tell us how true that is.
The Eagles are another team with a former NFL head coach who is struggling to get winning results. Bill O’Brien’s team was routed by Pittsburgh 48-7 in their last outing. It was Boston College’s fourth loss after winning its season opener against Fordham.
The Eagles have struggled against power four competition, and Clemson looks to make that trend continue. The Tigers can’t look past this Boston college team though. The results won’t come from them just showing up. The Eagles are a bit different than North Carolina.
UNC has a whirlwind of problems throughout the football facility that prevents them from doing just about anything well on the field. Boston College on the other hand has pieces that could eventually turn this program around.
For example, the Eagles’ offensive line isn’t bad at all. They pass protect very well. Boston College quarterback Dylan Lonergan has shown some good things too. He is really good when he is able to get into a rhythm and the offense is playing on schedule.
Lonergan threw nine touchdown passes and just one interception in the Eagles first three games. Over the last two games though, he’s thrown two interceptions and no touchdown passes. It will be key for the Tigers’ defense to put Lonergan behind the sticks and get after him on passing downs.
The Boston College defense also has playmakers in the secondary, such as sophomore Omar Thornton. The Eagles’ defensive backfield can cause Cade Klubnik trouble in the pass game if the Clemson offense can’t keep them honest. The flashy pass plays were great to see last week and definitely will have to make an appearance in this game. Running the ball more, early on will also be important though.
The one thing Clemson can’t do is walk in thinking this is an automatic win, and let the Eagles start putting it together in this game. The Tigers have to do the same as last week and dominate the game from the first snap.
The defense needs to keep Boston College behind the sticks and the offense needs to find its rhythm early. Clemson must jump out in front early and not let up from there. A duplicate performance this weekend will breathe more life back into this team as the second half of the season approaches.