By Will Vandervort.
By Will Vandervort
CLEMSON — Boston College head coach Frank Spaziani says Boston College has a plan to stop 17th-ranked Clemson this Saturday at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass., but they must execute it.
With that said, however, those plans to execute got a little bit easier for the Eagles after learning Thursday evening the Tigers’ All-American wide receiver Sammy Watkins will not make the trip to Boston. Watkins was diagnosed with an abdominal virus Thursday after taking himself out of practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Doctors felt it was best he stay in Clemson for the weekend and rest.
That’s good news for a Boston College defense that has already had more than week to prepare for Clemson’s high-flying up-tempo offense.
“Obviously, they’re a very talented football team,” Spaziani said earlier this week. “We’re happy to be having them at home. They got a lot of weapons and they pose a lot of challenges.”
This isn’t the first time the Tigers (3-1, 0-1 ACC) have been without Watkins. He sat out the first two games this year due to a suspension following an arrest last May. Clemson beat Auburn and Ball State in both of the games, while averaging 527 yards and 39 points per game.
“They are talented at all the skill positions,” Spaziani said. “They have big-league wideouts, tight ends and running backs. They got it all. They know how to use them, too. It’s a tremendous challenge.”
Boston College (1-2, 0-1 ACC) has not been executing too well on defense thus far this year. The Eagles are allowing 389.5 yards and 22 points per game. But they are allowing only 202.7 yards and one touchdown thus far through the air.
“Once again, there are always things you can do. It’s about executing them,” Spaziani said. “So we got a game plan, but we got to execute it.”
Big game for Duke. So far the Duke Blue Devils have been the surprise of the 2012 football season in the ACC. Duke is 3-1 and is riding a two-game winning-streak as it visits Wake Forest at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. This will be Duke’s first conference game of the year.
“I think our team is excited about starting conference play,” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said. “Non-conference games, obviously they all count, they’re all important, but there’s nothing like playing in your league against opponents that you play annually.
“Certainly this game has been very competitive in our world over the last four years, but we haven’t won it. This a big challenge to our squad. They are typical Wake team, a Jim Grobe coached team.
“They’re running the ball well right now. They don’t make mistakes. And they play good football in all three phases. So it’s a huge challenge to start conference play for us.”
Wake comes into the game 3-1 as well thanks to a bounce back victory against Army last week after being destroyed by Florida State on Sept. 15.
ACC’s wish list? Could we see the matchup the ACC has hoped for in the ACC Championship Game since Miami joined the league in 2004? With Florida State beating Clemson last week and Miami taking down Georgia Tech, the ‘Canes and ‘Noles are both 2-0 in the ACC Standings. Florida State has played quite possibly its toughest game in conference play, but the Hurricanes still have to play Virginia Tech before they can set their sights on Charlotte, NC.
Also, keep in mind the two play against one another on Oct. 20 in Miami.
But before that, the Hurricanes have to set their sights on NC State, who comes to Miami on a three-game winning streak after opening the season with a loss to Tennessee. This will be the Wolfpack’s first ACC game.
“We’re excited,” Miami head coach Al Golden said. “What a great opportunity. They are an excellent football team coming in. Obviously, I’m really fond of their staff and their head coach Tom O’Brien, one of the best in the business.”