Countdown to Kickoff - Clemson - Boston College Athletics

The Eagles soar into Death Valley to face their first ranked opponent of the season, the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers.

Boston College (1-2, 0-1) is coming off of a 49-20 loss to Notre Dame last week while the second-ranked Tigers (3-0, 1-0) handily defeated No. 14 Louisville, 47-21, in their first road contest of the season.

Today marks the 10th battle for the O'Rourke-McFadden Trophy and the Eagles will be looking to avenge a 56-10 loss from last season, the largest margin of victory in the series.

They know it won't come easy as they face-off against one of the toughest opponents on the schedule.

"We're playing an outstanding football team, in a tough environment, on the road," said BC head coach Steve Addazio. "Arguably maybe one of the, if not the best team in the country, certainly one of the top three teams in the country. Tough challenge, tough environment."

While Clemson continues to sit atop the ACC hierarchy, they know better than to take any opponent lightly, especially a Boston College side that wants nothing more than to upend them and prove their own worth in the conference pecking order.

"They don't usually ever beat themselves," said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. "You've got to win the physical matchup because they're going to force the issue. If you don't have the right mindset going into it, they're going to expose you. Looking forward to the challenge."

Television broadcast duties will be handled by ESPN2, with Dave LaMont (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (color) and Kris Budden (sideline) providing the call.

Once again, the BC IMG Sports Network will provide the radio broadcast locally on WEEI 850 AM and nationally on Sirius channel 112 and XM channel 193, as Jon Meterparel calls the plays, accompanied by Pete Cronan (color) and Scott Mutryn (sideline).

What they're saying

"As we all know, extremely explosive. They've got play makers all over the field. I think the quarterback Kelly Bryant is a very athletic guy. He runs the ball. He reminds me of how Tyler Murphy used to run the ball. Throws the ball well. I think their running backs are very, very productive, good players. Wide receivers catch everything in the air. And I just think they're explosive. They got a really good solid offensive line that I think is outstanding. On defense they've always been outstanding, and they continue to be. Their front is big and athletic. Their linebackers run well. Their secondary I think is one of the better secondaries I've seen. They rally to the ball as good as any defense I have ever seen." Boston College head coach Steve Addazio

"Record-wise, they're 1-2, but you've got to look beyond that. They played a really good Northern Illinois team, and beat them. Northern Illinois that just went to Nebraska and won. They lost Wake Forest, had several turnovers. But, Wake Forest is a good football team, sitting 3-0 right now. Then a very tough Notre Dame game. That game at the end of the third quarter was a really tight game and kind of got away in the fourth quarter. This is a very tough, hard-nosed, physical team. There's a different mindset you've got to bring when you get ready to play Boston College. - Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney

"It's a great atmosphere over there. They're going to have home-field advantage on a Saturday. I've been there once my freshman year, it's very loud. It gets going. It's rocking." – BC junior corner back Lukas Denis

"We know we're going to get the best Boston College. They're going to come in here and play the best football they can play. We're going to have to match that. A lot of teams on the schedule, we're going to get their best shot, so we've got to be ready for it. We can't have an up-and-down performance. We have to step up and stay consistent." – Clemson QB Kelly Bryant

Countdown to kickoff

10…On 14 kickoffs this season Max Schulze-Geisthovel has 10 touchbacks.

9…The numbers of games in a row that BC has lost to a top-5 ranked opponent. Their last victory over a top-5 team was a 14-7 win over fourth-ranked Notre Dame in 2002.

8…Clemson's record versus BC since the Eagles joined the ACC in 2005 is 8-4.

7…The career-high number of receptions made by captain Charlie Callinan versus Notre Dame last week.

6…Clemson's current win streak in the series. The Tigers lead the overall head-to-head, 15-9-2.

5...Number of Eagles receivers (Chris Garrison, Kobay White, Charlie Callinan, Tommy Sweeney and Ben Glines) who are averaging 10 or more yards per catch.

4…Red zone touchdowns for the Eagles over nine trips in.

3…Will Harris and Zach Allen have each recorded a team-high three tackles for losses this season.

2…Where Michael Walker ranks in the ACC with his 10.3-yard average on punt returns.

1…The amount of times that the Eagles have hoisted the O'Rourke-McFadden Trophy since its inception in 2008.

Boston College Athletics

Countdown to Kickoff - Clemson

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Players Mentioned

Zach Allen

Charlie Callinan

Lukas Denis

Chris Garrison

Ben Glines

Will Harris

Tommy Sweeney

Michael Walker

Kobay White

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