Like Clemson, BC seemingly fields a top defense no matter the yearly turnover. Unlike Clemson, BC does so without elite recruiting. Many felt the Eagles defense might finally drop off after former coordinator Don Brown moved to Michigan this year, but BC currently ranks first in total defense once again.
Without a bevy of blue-chip players or the same esteemed coordinator, how are they still so good? Is it schedule inflating the stats? Not quite, since BC’s defense ranks 8th in S&P+ (Clemson checks in at 3rd, demoted from the top spot after letting Lamar Jackson run wild in the second half last weekend).