Defense gets to follow convention

CLEMSON -- As a reporter detailed Boston College's conventional offense, allowing the Tigers to employ their base schemes for the first time this season -- and allow for more aggressive play -- Brandon Maye's initial stoic expression crumbled to a smile.

While the Clemson middle linebacker's words didn't exactly match his facial contortions, his body language said the Tigers can't wait until kickoff at noon Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

"We are excited to see a normal offense," said Maye after dealing with Middle Tennessee's spread and Georgia Tech's triple option.

Maye is not the only Tiger looking forward to this weekend as the Tigers (1-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) return to normalcy against a team that has lost more top-end talent to the NFL the last two springs than any program in the ACC.

Tigers guard Thomas Austin no longer has to deal with Boston College defensive tackles B.J. Raji (first round, Green Bay) or Ron Brace (second round, New England), who made life difficult with their combined 667 pounds of NFL skills last season.

Boston College became the only team in the conference to have a player drafted in the top 10 of the NFL draft the last two springs, when Raji was selected eighth overall in April. He followed former quarterback Matt Ryan, drafted fifth overall in 2008.

Ryan torched the Tigers for 315 yards and a 43-yard game-winning touchdown at Clemson in 2007.

Raji and Brace limited the Tigers to a 2.8-yard rushing average last season.

"(Raji and Brace) were very physical and made you stop the run," Austin said. "They made you one-dimensional. Not having them there is different … different faces, but the mentality is the same."

The Eagles (2-0) are missing another key face, linebacker Mark Herzlich, the conference's reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, who is fighting cancer.

To fill the void, two freshmen and a sophomore start at linebacker, and the Eagles moved end Austin Giles (6-3, 276 pounds) to tackle. While much was made of Georgia Tech's small defensive front (269 pounds per player), the Eagles are lighter (266 pounds per player).

Despite the sweeping changes, including their third coach in three years in Frank Spaziani, Dabo Swinney detailed the Eagles' assets during his Tuesday press conference.

"Every year they are one of the best defensive teams in the conference," Swinney said. "Every year they are one of the best against the rush.

"They don't beat themselves."

Swinney pointed to the Eagles' seven points allowed through two games, but those opponents were Northeastern and Kent State, limited to 18 points against Coastal Carolina.

While Clemson's offense again has a size advantage, the defense is hoping for a breakout game in showing off coordinator Kevin Steele's aggressive schemes in concert with a talented front four and secondary.

Steele described BC offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill's offense as "NFL traditional" featuring a power running game and along with "formation(ing) you to death."

Perhaps Steele's greatest concern is preparing for two quarterbacks. The Eagles have used Justin Tuggle, more of a running threat, and Dave Shinskie, more of a pocket passer.

At stake, along with the game being the teams' first Atlantic Division game, is the O'Rourke-McFadden trophy, which began being awarded to the game's winner last season.

The trophy has resided in Swinney's office since defeating Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., last season, a key victory in building his case for keeping the head position.

Saying it has looked good in his office, Swinney said: "Hopefully I don't have to replace it with a plant or something like that."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.