Boston College Athletics
W2WF: For BC, Winter Is Coming
October 05, 2016 | Football, #ForBoston Files
A golden opportunity awaits against an incredibly talented opponent.
If you've never seen an episode of Game of Thrones, House Stark continually utters a single motto: "Winter is coming."
Its meaning is often debated. There's the obvious meaning, that winter is literally coming, that the seasons are changing, and time is marching on. Then there are the deeper meanings, which can be taken as a reference to the tough battles ahead with other houses or with mystical creatures. It's been interpreted to mean obstacles are ahead.
For this year's college football season, winter has been coming, both literally and figuratively. Summer practice is long in the rearview mirror, and the season is approaching its halfway point. The calendar shifted into October, meaning the end is drawing closer. The season flies by like that, with winter literally coming to end the season. It shifts the tone of a team from talking about what they were, the Eagles are switching more into what they are and what they can become.Â
"In football, you don't spend your time worrying about what was," said head coach Steve Addazio. "You worry about what is, and we have a great attitude. Our team is developing, growing every day, we're young, (and) we're maturing. They love football. They love competing, and they love the opportunity to have a chance to play against a team like Clemson."
When talking about challenges, preparations are key, even in a short week. The figurative winter, after all, is here, in the form of an incredible opponent in the Tigers. It brings a tall order task, an obstacle not so nearly overcome. It's something demanding respect; the only way to beat it is to first recognize how strong it really can be.
"I've always been an admirer of Clemson's program," said Addazio. "I think Dabo (Swinney) does an unbelievable job. I just watch the way he motivates his team, the chemistry that they have, the way they play together, fundamentally how they play. They have a great coaching staff. Everything is well thought out - offense, defense, special teams. They've done a great job recruiting. They have fantastic football players there. It's just a really, really great football program."
Clemson comes to Boston College needing no introduction. Facts and descriptive adjectives are well known to even the most casual football fan. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is a Heisman Trophy contender. Running back Wayne Gallman is capable of exploding on any play. They have three legitimate receiving threats in Mike Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Artavis Scott. They have a fourth, Deon Cain, who is a touchdown machine.
Their defense is smothering. They can stuff the run and shut down the pass. In five games, they've allowed less than 14 points three times, including a two-game span where they allowed only seven. While they did give up 36 last week, it came against a Louisville team also considered a national contender. They remain one of the most feared units in the game - even after losing seven players in the draft.
A win on Friday night will take a Herculean effort, but it can be a watershed moment for the Eagles. It wouldn't advance them to the top of the division, but it would help people believe, once again, that they can be the King in the North.
***
Weekly Storylines (AC/DC Edition)
There's been a consistent book written through the first five games. The Virginia Tech game, while a burdensome black eye on the season, is the kind of fluke game every program eventually endures. There's no right time for it.
The BC defense is exactly what they were last season, which is currently ranked as the nation's best unit. It has changed a little bit, but that was expected thanks to personnel turnover. The Eagles might not be the same up front, but they've gotten better in coverage. They're still capable of blitzing, but that's not the only thing they can do.Â
"I don't know where they get all these guys (on defense)," said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. "It's live every year since I've been competing against Boston College, they have these great linebackers. (Connor Strachan) and (Matt Milano) are really good players. (Strachan) is active. You can tell he's a great leader but just makes a lot of tackles."
Against Clemson, the defense will need to be in top form to neutralize the Tigers' vast offensive weaponry.
"When you think about Clemson, you think about all the weapons they have," said Addazio. "They can hurt you in so many ways. When you're playing Clemson, you're trying to stop explosive plays and create disruption. But it's hard to do because you're talking about a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, an outstanding offensive line, and skill players everywhere. We'll have our hands full, but our number one goal is obviously to stop big, explosive plays."
Clemson's offense won't be able to do much if they're not on the field. For that, look to the Eagle offense, which spent the last couple of weeks resetting itself and working on how to run the pro-style offense introduced this season.
"We absolutely believe at Boston College that you need to run the football to win," said Addazio. "But what we like to do is establish some consistency on offense, and we've been throwing the ball more this year than we have in the past with more balance. We'd like to continue that. The goal is to keep our defense off the field and stay on the field and score some points because if you don't, it could be a long night for you. However, we can create some time of possession."
It goes without saying that the Eagles will run more than they'll pass. BC ran 56 and 57 rushing plays in the past two weeks, and they ran 41 rushing plays against UMass. That's just about double from the 22, 25, and 23 passing plays called.
It's not about the number of plays called in each direction; it's about calling the right play at the right time to create yardage. Rushing plays aren't all built the same, so calling one particular play at one time can catch a defense off guard.
"Just turn the tape on," said Swinney. "They're going to run the football and try to set up all their play actions. Their formations and motions and shifts that they use with all their multiple personnel groups, their heavy groups, multiple tight ends, create some tough adjustments that you have to make."
This game comes during an incredible time to be alive (at least for a native Bostonian like me). The Boston Red Sox play Game Two of their playoff series against Cleveland before BC and Clemson kick off, and Tom Brady is returning against the Browns on Sunday.
Before a nationally-televised audience, this is the SuperFans' time to shine. With the added stress of a short week, their Eagles will need them. Home field advantage is a real thing and it's a very big deal in college sports. On a night where they'll honor Welles Crowther, the stage is set for an added element in the stands.
"We're going to have a great crowd here Friday night," said Addazio. "We'll be as close to a sellout as we're going to be. It's going to be fantastic. It'll be electric."
Call me crazy, but BC could steal a piece of center stage from both the Red Sox and the Patriots. Don't think it's possible? When people talk about Matt Ryan's comeback against Virginia Tech in 2007, I seldom hear a mention about the Red Sox victory in Game Two of the World Series. Maybe it's just me.
***
Meterology 101
It won't quite be what they're looking at in Florida, but rain is in the forecast for the Boston area on Saturday. The weather service is calling for "considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers."
With temperatures dipping into the 50s, bring a sweatshirt to the game but don't forget to pack the poncho - just in case. Nothing beats those cold, raw New England nights.
***
Scoreboard Watching
After a bye week next week, BC will welcome their ACC rival to town when Syracuse visits on October 22.
The Orange have a brutal stretch coming up; Cuse heads to Winston-Salem this week for a Saturday night matchup with a Wake Forest team fitting itself for a glass slipper. The Demon Deacons are 4-1 entering this weekend, so this is now a tall order for first-year head coach Dino Babers.
Where BC has a bye next week, Syracuse has a home game against Virginia Tech.
***
Bottom Line
This is one of those games where being an ACC team has its privileges just as much as it has its challenges. You're guaranteed games every year against premium opponents. After Florida State's run as a national champion and College Football Playoff semifinalist, it's Clemson's turn at the top, and BC is fortunate to have annual shots at teams on that level.
It also shows that, with a win, BC could be that type of program. We saw it during baseball season, where the Eagles knocked off traditional national powers because they believed in themselves. It proved that it can be done, even if people doubt its possibility.
But beating Clemson is one of the hardest tasks anyone can attempt. The Tigers are arguably the best team in the nation. They have great fan support, a great coach and a tremendous program. They're deserving of all the respect in the college football world.Â
This is a brilliant opportunity just as much as it's an incredibly difficult test. Then again, That's why they play the games. BC and Clemson kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at Alumni Stadium.
Its meaning is often debated. There's the obvious meaning, that winter is literally coming, that the seasons are changing, and time is marching on. Then there are the deeper meanings, which can be taken as a reference to the tough battles ahead with other houses or with mystical creatures. It's been interpreted to mean obstacles are ahead.
For this year's college football season, winter has been coming, both literally and figuratively. Summer practice is long in the rearview mirror, and the season is approaching its halfway point. The calendar shifted into October, meaning the end is drawing closer. The season flies by like that, with winter literally coming to end the season. It shifts the tone of a team from talking about what they were, the Eagles are switching more into what they are and what they can become.Â
"In football, you don't spend your time worrying about what was," said head coach Steve Addazio. "You worry about what is, and we have a great attitude. Our team is developing, growing every day, we're young, (and) we're maturing. They love football. They love competing, and they love the opportunity to have a chance to play against a team like Clemson."
When talking about challenges, preparations are key, even in a short week. The figurative winter, after all, is here, in the form of an incredible opponent in the Tigers. It brings a tall order task, an obstacle not so nearly overcome. It's something demanding respect; the only way to beat it is to first recognize how strong it really can be.
"I've always been an admirer of Clemson's program," said Addazio. "I think Dabo (Swinney) does an unbelievable job. I just watch the way he motivates his team, the chemistry that they have, the way they play together, fundamentally how they play. They have a great coaching staff. Everything is well thought out - offense, defense, special teams. They've done a great job recruiting. They have fantastic football players there. It's just a really, really great football program."
Clemson comes to Boston College needing no introduction. Facts and descriptive adjectives are well known to even the most casual football fan. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is a Heisman Trophy contender. Running back Wayne Gallman is capable of exploding on any play. They have three legitimate receiving threats in Mike Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Artavis Scott. They have a fourth, Deon Cain, who is a touchdown machine.
Their defense is smothering. They can stuff the run and shut down the pass. In five games, they've allowed less than 14 points three times, including a two-game span where they allowed only seven. While they did give up 36 last week, it came against a Louisville team also considered a national contender. They remain one of the most feared units in the game - even after losing seven players in the draft.
A win on Friday night will take a Herculean effort, but it can be a watershed moment for the Eagles. It wouldn't advance them to the top of the division, but it would help people believe, once again, that they can be the King in the North.
***
Weekly Storylines (AC/DC Edition)
There's been a consistent book written through the first five games. The Virginia Tech game, while a burdensome black eye on the season, is the kind of fluke game every program eventually endures. There's no right time for it.
The BC defense is exactly what they were last season, which is currently ranked as the nation's best unit. It has changed a little bit, but that was expected thanks to personnel turnover. The Eagles might not be the same up front, but they've gotten better in coverage. They're still capable of blitzing, but that's not the only thing they can do.Â
"I don't know where they get all these guys (on defense)," said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. "It's live every year since I've been competing against Boston College, they have these great linebackers. (Connor Strachan) and (Matt Milano) are really good players. (Strachan) is active. You can tell he's a great leader but just makes a lot of tackles."
Against Clemson, the defense will need to be in top form to neutralize the Tigers' vast offensive weaponry.
"When you think about Clemson, you think about all the weapons they have," said Addazio. "They can hurt you in so many ways. When you're playing Clemson, you're trying to stop explosive plays and create disruption. But it's hard to do because you're talking about a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, an outstanding offensive line, and skill players everywhere. We'll have our hands full, but our number one goal is obviously to stop big, explosive plays."
Clemson's offense won't be able to do much if they're not on the field. For that, look to the Eagle offense, which spent the last couple of weeks resetting itself and working on how to run the pro-style offense introduced this season.
"We absolutely believe at Boston College that you need to run the football to win," said Addazio. "But what we like to do is establish some consistency on offense, and we've been throwing the ball more this year than we have in the past with more balance. We'd like to continue that. The goal is to keep our defense off the field and stay on the field and score some points because if you don't, it could be a long night for you. However, we can create some time of possession."
It goes without saying that the Eagles will run more than they'll pass. BC ran 56 and 57 rushing plays in the past two weeks, and they ran 41 rushing plays against UMass. That's just about double from the 22, 25, and 23 passing plays called.
It's not about the number of plays called in each direction; it's about calling the right play at the right time to create yardage. Rushing plays aren't all built the same, so calling one particular play at one time can catch a defense off guard.
"Just turn the tape on," said Swinney. "They're going to run the football and try to set up all their play actions. Their formations and motions and shifts that they use with all their multiple personnel groups, their heavy groups, multiple tight ends, create some tough adjustments that you have to make."
This game comes during an incredible time to be alive (at least for a native Bostonian like me). The Boston Red Sox play Game Two of their playoff series against Cleveland before BC and Clemson kick off, and Tom Brady is returning against the Browns on Sunday.
Before a nationally-televised audience, this is the SuperFans' time to shine. With the added stress of a short week, their Eagles will need them. Home field advantage is a real thing and it's a very big deal in college sports. On a night where they'll honor Welles Crowther, the stage is set for an added element in the stands.
"We're going to have a great crowd here Friday night," said Addazio. "We'll be as close to a sellout as we're going to be. It's going to be fantastic. It'll be electric."
Call me crazy, but BC could steal a piece of center stage from both the Red Sox and the Patriots. Don't think it's possible? When people talk about Matt Ryan's comeback against Virginia Tech in 2007, I seldom hear a mention about the Red Sox victory in Game Two of the World Series. Maybe it's just me.
***
Meterology 101
It won't quite be what they're looking at in Florida, but rain is in the forecast for the Boston area on Saturday. The weather service is calling for "considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers."
With temperatures dipping into the 50s, bring a sweatshirt to the game but don't forget to pack the poncho - just in case. Nothing beats those cold, raw New England nights.
***
Scoreboard Watching
After a bye week next week, BC will welcome their ACC rival to town when Syracuse visits on October 22.
The Orange have a brutal stretch coming up; Cuse heads to Winston-Salem this week for a Saturday night matchup with a Wake Forest team fitting itself for a glass slipper. The Demon Deacons are 4-1 entering this weekend, so this is now a tall order for first-year head coach Dino Babers.
Where BC has a bye next week, Syracuse has a home game against Virginia Tech.
***
Bottom Line
This is one of those games where being an ACC team has its privileges just as much as it has its challenges. You're guaranteed games every year against premium opponents. After Florida State's run as a national champion and College Football Playoff semifinalist, it's Clemson's turn at the top, and BC is fortunate to have annual shots at teams on that level.
It also shows that, with a win, BC could be that type of program. We saw it during baseball season, where the Eagles knocked off traditional national powers because they believed in themselves. It proved that it can be done, even if people doubt its possibility.
But beating Clemson is one of the hardest tasks anyone can attempt. The Tigers are arguably the best team in the nation. They have great fan support, a great coach and a tremendous program. They're deserving of all the respect in the college football world.Â
This is a brilliant opportunity just as much as it's an incredibly difficult test. Then again, That's why they play the games. BC and Clemson kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at Alumni Stadium.
Players Mentioned
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