Keys to a possible (maybe?) BC upset of Clemson

There’s actually a plausible way where BC beats Clemson on Saturday night.

Sure, the Eagles are 1-4, 0-3 in the ACC, injured and openly being mocked by the fan base, but Saturday night’s prime time spot could sneaky be just the right one for the BC.

BC is a 14-point home underdog (Clemson is -600 money line), but these certainly aren’t the Tigers of the last decade or so. Dabo Swinney is still one of the best coaches in college football, but his time may be running thin in Death Valley.

We’ll get to my actual prediction at the end, but here’s a few different things I believe need to be in favor of BC in order to keep this one close heading to the fourth quarter:

Eagles could be getting key pieces of the puzzle back

This is a big if, but health could play a major factor in this game.

Amari Jackson, Max Tucker, Ashton Cunningham, Cam Martinez, Kwan Williams and Owen Stoudmire were all listed as ‘questionable’ on the Eagles mandatory ACC availability report on Thursday. Just getting Jackson back would be huge for the secondary, but as many defensive bodies as the Eagles can get right now, they’ll take. Bam Crouch is still a key loss at the linebacker level and offensively, Jaedn Skeete is still out with an undisclosed injury.

Even without Skeete, as long as the offensive line protects and the run game gets going (again, big ifs), this offense still has enough talent in my opinion to score with anyone. I know there’s not a ton to back that up, but BC does have 15 touchdowns and three field goals in 22 red zone appearances on the year.

That defensive health is the key though. If some pieces of the puzzle are back, that unit should get a big emotional (and talent) boost at home.

Slowing down the Clemson offense

A lot easier said than done, but again, if guys like Jackson, Tucker and Cunningham can play, it makes things a lot easier.

Bryant Wesco Jr. (26/431/5 TD) and T.J. Moore (20/272/1 TD) are Cade Klubnik’s top guys. Adam Randall (17/154/3 TD), Tyler Brown (15/137) and tight end Christian Bentancur (6/91/2 TD) are all threats that this banged up secondary and LB core will have to deal with. Randall is also the team’s lead back. he’s got 368 yards on 65 carries with only three touchdowns on the year.

Getting to Klubnik will be huge if BC can do it too.

Klubnik has 1,250 yards passing and 10 touchdowns so far, but he’s also been sacked six times and he’s thrown four interceptions. Whether it’s pressure from four, blitzes, exotic looks, whatever it takes, the Eagles need to try and force some bad throws from Klubnik. The lack of a pass rush has been noticeable throughout the year. No Donovan Ezeiruaku has obviously had a huge impact, but this would be a good night for a breakout game from the pass rushers.

If it comes down to the kicking game, BC can hang

More ifs. But, if BC can keep this close and we get a field goal battle or some big time situations late for both kickers, Eagles fans should actually have full confidence in Luca Lombardo.

Lombardo 19-19 on PATs and 6-6 on field goals. I’ll mention him every week because I still think there’s a game coming down to the final play being on his foot at some point this year. Maybe it’s this one? He’s been the most consistent player on the roster. The kicking unit – which was a mess in training camp – is now arguably the most reliable aspect of the team.

Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser is 15-15 on PATs and 4-6 on field goals.

Prediction: Clemson 34, BC 27

The Eagles and this coaching staff are a prideful bunch. They won’t get embarrassed – especially at home – on national TV again. This game will be close heading to the fourth quarter and I’ll even go so far as to say as BC might have a lead at halftime. I’m also predicating this on Jackson and Tucker playing.

In the end, Klubnik gets a late TD to win it, but BC fans can at least not feel shame in the performance.