With milestones looming, offensive fireworks expected, and a primetime stage awaiting in Chestnut Hill, Clemson’s trip to Boston College offers both danger and opportunity. If the Tigers maintain focus, history suggests another step forward — and another Leather Helmet — are within reach.
1. Can Clemson Keep Its Dominance Over Boston College Alive?
Clemson has owned the series, winning 12 straight against the Eagles dating back to 2011. The Tigers haven’t lost to a team with a losing record since falling to Boston College in 2010 — a streak of 35 consecutive wins over sub-.500 teams. Dabo Swinney is also 14-1 against the Eagles as head coach, and a win Saturday would give him 15 victories over BC, matching Wake Forest as his most-beaten ACC opponent.
2. Cade Klubnik’s Hot Hand
Quarterback Cade Klubnik enters the matchup on fire after throwing five touchdown passes in Clemson’s win over North Carolina. He’s chasing history again this week: with another 300-yard game, Klubnik would pass Charlie Whitehurst for the fourth-most 300-yard outings in program history. A fifth touchdown toss would make him the first Clemson QB since Tajh Boyd in 2012 to throw five or more in consecutive games.
3. Adam Randall’s Historic Scoring Streak
Running back Adam Randall continues to be Clemson’s most versatile weapon. He’s scored a touchdown in five straight games, putting him on the verge of becoming the first Tiger to reach six in a row since Travis Etienne in 2018. Randall also enters the week as one of only four FBS players with at least three rushing and three receiving touchdowns this season.
4. Milestone Watch: 300 Straight Games Scoring
Clemson hasn’t been shut out since August 2003, a run of 299 games. With any score Saturday, the Tigers would join elite company as just the 13th FBS program ever to reach 300 consecutive games with a point. The streak reflects not only offensive consistency but also the program’s ability to reload year after year — a trademark of the Swinney era.
5. Battle for the Leather Helmet
The rivalry’s signature prize — the O’Rourke–McFadden Trophy — returns to the field. Clemson has captured it 14 of 15 times since the award’s inception in 2008, with recent winners including Xavier Thomas and Nolan Turner for defensive heroics. This year’s version could hinge on which star — T.J. Parker or Avieon Terrell — makes the game-changing play to keep the trophy in Tiger hands.