TigerIllustrated.com - Boston College Preview

September 18, 2009

Cris Ard
TigerIllustrated.com Publisher

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All-time series: Tied at 8-8-2
All-time series at Clemson: BC leads 3-2-1
Dabo Swinney: 5-4 (1-0 vs. BC)
Frank Spaziani: 2-0
When: Saturday, September 19
Where: Clemson, SC (Memorial Stadium - 81,500)
Time: 12:10 p.m. ET
TV: Raycom
Tickets: Available
Latest Line: Clemson by 6.5-7.0
Extra: Bartow's Weekly Predix
Clemson Message Boards: Tigerillustrated.com
Boston College Message Boards: EagleAction.com

Quarterbacks

Boston College has won at least eight games a season since 2001, but that streak figures to be tested this season, given significant personnel losses on both sides of the ball. Moreover, the Eagles are pinning their hopes on two quarterbacks who had no game experience as of three weeks ago. Red-shirt freshman Justin Tuggle has completed nine of 17 passes for three touchdowns. True freshman Dave Shinskie, an under-the-radar two-star selection last winter who picked up a few late offers, is completing 61.5-percent of his throws, and has a 2/1 TD to INT ratio. Tuggle is the most athletic of the two, and is a threat to run.

Clemson will counter with its own freshman here - Kyle Parker, who tossed three touchdown passes in the Tigers' comeback effort in Atlanta last week. Parker, who has completed 24 of 51 passes with a 5/2 TD to INT ratio, has continued to receive praise from coaches and players for his decision making and poise in pressure situations. Willy Korn, a sophomore, did not get any action a week ago but could see the field Saturday. Parker hasn't yet made a mistake that's prevented his team from winning, and showed off his cannon and big play potential a week ago. Advantage: CLEMSON

Running Backs - Running Game

Montel Harris, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound sophomore, set a BC true freshman rushing record a year ago with 900 yards and five scores. In two games this season the Jacksonville (FL) native has rushed for 181 yards and three TDs. The Eagles are also getting production out of sophomore runner Josh Haden (75 yds, 1 TD) and true freshman Rolandan Finch, who's second on the team here with 90 yards (6.9 AVG) and a score. The Eagles averaged 143 rushing yards per game in 2008, a three-year high. Given the personnel in the backfield and the fact that four starters are back on the offensive line, BC's ground attack projects to be its best in six years.

C.J. Spiller, who tallied over 200 all-purpose yards in Atlanta last week, is his team's leading rusher with 99 yards on 24 carries. Spiller missed the entire second half of the Tigers' season opener versus Middle Tennessee. Clemson's coaches are working to get Andre Ellington (93 yds, 7.9 AVG) more touches this week. Jamie Harper has picked up 87 yards on 19 carries, though Ellington - to date - has been the most impressive of the two. Surprisingly, Ellington has yet to catch a pass, so he could get some work in the slot this week, given Clemson's ongoing search for more production in its receiving corps.

The Tigers have better personnel in the backfield, but an offensive line that has yet to get on track has obviously directly impacted this group's production. Clemson gets the edge in talent, but the Eagles' have a better, developed running game. And the Tigers struggled at times running the ball a week ago against a front not as strong as the one it will face on Saturday, despite the losses of NFL Draft picks B.J. Raji and Ron Brace. Advantage: EVEN

Wide Receivers

Veteran wideout Rich Gunnell is the leading returning player here for the Eagles, after catching 49 passes for 551 yards and four scores a year ago. Through two games he is again the Eagles' top receiver threat, with six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Gunnell's backup, Colin Larmond, Jr., who played as a true freshman last season, has four catches for 116 yards and a TD. Justin Jarvis, a senior, caught 25 passes last season, but has not gotten on the board yet in '09. His backup is Billy Flutie, who has two catches this season. The Eagles will get their tight ends involved in the passing game. Chris Pantale, a highly touted red-shirt freshman, has four catches.

Clemson's receiving corps is led by Jacoby Ford, one of the fastest players in all of college football. Ford dropped several passes in week one, but rebounded in the second half and has been money in the bank ever since, hauling in eight grabs for 179 yards and two scores, including a 77-yarder last week. Spiller has four catches in his own right, which includes a 63-yard TD reception in Atlanta.

In the preseason Tigerillustrated.com felt Marquan Jones would be this unit's No. 2 man, and through two games that's been the case. Jones, who has three receptions, should play a lot in this game, and continues to cross-train, as coaches will put the sophomore and Ford on the field at the same time in more personnel groupings going forward. Brandon Clear, a sophomore, has yet to catch a pass, but will make his second straight start. Dwayne Allen caught his first pass a week ago, a nine-yard TD laser from Parker. Allen should play more this week, considering Michael Palmer (Hip) isn't yet 100-percent. Advantage: CLEMSON

Offensive Line

BC is one of the best programs in the nation at developing top flight offensive and defensive linemen, despite not necessarily landing the highest rated prospects at the two positions in recruiting over the last decade. The Eagles return four of five starters from last year's line, led by (LT) Anthony Castonzo (6-7, 295, 30 career starts), a second-team All-ACC pick in 2008 and honorable mention 2008 All-ACC selections (OC) Matt Tennant (6-4, 291, 30 career starts) and (RG) Thomas Clairborne (6-3, 325, 16 career starts). Junior (RT) Rich Lapham (6-8, 322) is back after 14 starts a year ago, and sophomore left guard Nathan Richman (6-6, 292), who replaces 2008 1st-team All-ACC pick Clif Ramsey.

Clemson's front is led by senior (LG) Thomas Austin (6-3 ½, 310, 25 career starts) and a second-team All-ACC pick in 2008, and junior (LT) Chris Hairston (6-6, 325, 13 career starts), who was able to keep Derrick Morgan in check last week after switching to the right side in the second half. Sophomore center Mason Cloy (6-3 ½, 310, 14 career starts) has - like Austin and Hairston - received a winning grade in each of the first two games. Antoine McClain (6-6, 320), a sophomore, got his first winning grade last week. Landon Walker (6-5, 300), a sophomore right tackle, who started 10 games in '08, reclaimed his old job back on Sunday, after a dismal performance by Cory Lambert in Atlanta. David Smith, a sophomore right guard, has drawn heavy work at right tackle this week and could get some time at the position against the Eagles.

Since the Eagles have joined the ACC, not including 2006, the Tigers have averaged just 79 yards rushing a game. Even with BC's defensive front taking a hit in the off-season, its personnel is still the best Clemson's line will have faced to date. Advantage: BOSTON COLLEGE

Defensive Line

To help absorb the interior losses of Raji and Brace, BC's coaches moved defensive end Austin Giles (6-3, 278) to tackle. Giles has 22 career starts. Damik Scafe (6-3, 291), a junior, registered just 13 tackles last season in a reserve role. The tackle will make his third career start tomorrow. Jim Ramella bounced back with 14 starts in 2008 after working in a backup role in 2007 that followed a medical red-shirt in 2006. And Alex Albright (6-5, 250, 16 career starts), this unit's most experienced player, is this group's leading tackler (8) through two games.

Clemson's front - on a short week of preparation - was touched up a bit versus Georgia Tech's option attack in Atlanta, but its tackles in particular - Jarvis Jenkins (Jr., 6-4, 310, 14 career starts) and Brandon Thompson (So., 6-2, 300, 3 career starts) - played well. Da'Quan Bowers (So., 6-4, 280, 8 career starts), the most talented defensive front man for the Tigers, is looking for his first signature game of 2009, and Ricky Sapp (Sr., 6-4, 240, 24 career starts), leads this unit in tackles (12), tackles for loss (3) and quarterback pressures (3). The Tigers have the most talented front four in the Atlantic Division, but will face arguably the best offensive line it will see all season. Advantage: CLEMSON

Linebackers

Backer is where BC was hit hardest in the off-season, losing Brian Toal, Mike McLaughin (Achilles), Robert Francois and Mark Herzlich, who revealed earlier this year he has been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. The most experienced starter here Saturday will be sophomore strong-side defender Dominick LeGrande (nine tackles in '08, 6 in '09 & an INT). The Eagles will start true freshman Luke Kuechly at MIKE. Kuechly is the defense's leading tackler with 11 stops. Alexander DiSanzo, a red-shirt freshman, will make his third career start at the weak-side backer spot. He has four tackles this season. Freshman SLB Nick Clancy (6 tackles) and junior Mike Morrissey (MLB, 5 tackles) should play a lot Saturday.

Brandon Maye, who's quickly asserting himself as the Tigers' defensive spokesman, is second on the team in tackles (22). Maye, a freshman All-America pick in 2008, will be making his 15th career start. Kavell Conner got back on the board last week (65 snaps) after being relegated to sideline duty in week one, while Clemson employed a DIME package against Middle Tennessee. The WILL backer will be making his 16th career start. Defensive end Kevin Alexander, a senior, is expected to carry much of the load at SAM tomorrow, while Scotty Cooper, a junior and the more productive player here in space, also will get time. Both have combined for nine tackles this season. Advantage: CLEMSON

Secondary

BC ranked 18th nationally in pass defense a year ago, and through the first two games allowed a combined 168 yards through the air. Marcellus Bowman, at 6-2, 225, is the starting strong safety (4 tackles) in his first year as a first-team player. DeLeon Gause (15 career starts), a junior and Roderick Rollins (8 career starts) give the Eagles some experience at corner. Rollins picked off two passes a year ago. Wes Davis, the starting free safety (2 INT in 2008) will be making his 16th career start Saturday. Keep an eye on backup corner Donnie Fletcher (4 starts in 2008 & 3 INT), who is fourth on the team in tackles (8) and sophomore corner Isaac Johnson, who's second on the Eagles' defense in stops (10).

Clemson's secondary, which ranked 12th nationally last season, has the most experienced cornerback tandem in the ACC - Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor, who have a combined 60 career starts. The Tigers' best player on defense - DeAndre McDaniel - has already totaled three picks and leads the defense in tackles (24) in his first year as a front man at the strong safety position on this level. Marcus Gilchrist, a junior safety, ranks second on the defense in snaps (133) and fourth on the team in tackles (12). Byron Maxwell, a backup corner and the No. 3 man in the rotation at that position, has eight stops in just 45 snaps. Advantage: CLEMSON

Special Teams

Sophomore punter Ryan Quigley is in his second year as a starter (39.6 yd AVG in '08, 44.5 in '09), as is senior place-kicker Steve Aponavicius (14-21 in '08 & 3-3 in '09; career long of 36). Gunnell, senior Jeff Smith and Harris are again the primary return men for the Eagles. Both Harris and Smith averaged 20 yards a (kickoff) return in '08. Smith has two returns for 24.5 yards in '09. Gunnell has returned six punts thus far, including a 56-yarder that was taken to the house. Gunnell also had a punt return for a score in '08.

Clemson's return game has been outstanding through two weeks of play, with both Spiller and Ford owners of returns for scores, Spiller's coming courtesy of a 96-yarder in week one and Ford's on a 61-yard punt return against the Blue Raiders as well.

But the biggest storyline of Clemson's special teams is the production early from former PARADE All-American place-kicker Richard Jackson, who became the first Tiger kicker in 17 years to deliver a 53-yard field goal last week, a boot that would have been good from 60+. Jackson is 5-7 on the season. Dawson Zimmerman has posted a long of 51 yards, but is seeking improvement in week three, considering he's averaging just 36.3 yards in eight punts. Zimmerman averaged 38.5 yards in 12 punts last fall. Opponents' starting field position through two weeks is the 22-yard line. Advantage: CLEMSON

Overview & Prediction

BC is one of the more underrated programs nationally, and the three-time Atlantic Division winner doesn't get enough credit for its five straight seasons of 9+ wins and an eight-game bowl winning streak, an NCAA record, going into last winter.

The program rarely delivers a top 25 recruiting class, yet consistently produces all-conference selections and NFL draft picks. And given that a win over Central Michigan in Chestnut Hill on October 31 is likely, the Eagles will need just three additional wins from somewhere on its schedule to become bowl eligible for the 11th consecutive season.

BC and Clemson are tied in the all-time series here, nodded at 8-8-2. The Eagles are 3-2-1 all-time in Clemson, and had taken three straight over Clemson since joining the ACC until a 27-21 Tiger upset in Chestnut Hill last season.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney seemed relatively relieved to be facing BC earlier in the week when he noted that for the first time this season Kevin Steele's defense will face a "normal" opponent with a conventional offense. Steele called the Eagles' offense "traditional, not vanilla," on Tuesday when assessing Gary Tranquill's package, telling reporters for the first time this fall the essential base rudiments of what he taught Clemson's defenders will now be displayed.

Quarterback Chris Crane, wideout Brandon Robinson and dual-threat passer Dominique Davis were the biggest personnel losses for the Eagles on offense in the off-season.

In week one we weren't sure Middle Tennessee would be able to score more than two touchdowns on the Tigers' D. We're not sure the Eagles will fare much better. The three primary elements BC has working in its favor tomorrow: #1, the fact that little has been shown and had to be shown on film in blowout wins over Northeastern and Kent State, #2., the use of two quarterbacks that forced Clemson's coaches to prepare for two different presentations, and #3., and offensive line with plenty of size, experience and TALENT.

Defensively, we rank the Eagles' personnel third in the Atlantic behind Clemson and FSU. The Tigers should be able to find several mismatches underneath and in space (where it has made most of its big plays in this series the last four years), given BC's depleted backer rotation.

Over the last 10 years, Clemson is 8-2 in its first ACC game at home. The Tigers also are a stellar 8-1 all-time on September 19. And over the last 10 years, following a conference loss, the Tigers are 22-13 straight up. Moreover, since taking over as head coach in October of 2008, Swinney is 4-1 against the spread when Clemson is a lined favorite. The Tigers also have covered in both games this season.

All four of the games in this series since 2005 have been decided by a touchdown or less. But we don't think the Eagles' offense has the torque to make that happen this time around, which is why on the 67th anniversary of the opening of Death Valley we'll call for a second straight Clemson win over BC. Clemson by 14

TI staff itemized picks: Cris Ard - CLEM by 10 (27-17), Larry Williams - CLEM by 11 (24-13), Ryan Bartow - CLEM by 21 (31-10).

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