Clemson vs. Syracuse Prediction, Game Preview

The top-ranked Clemson Tigers (9-0), fresh off an Atlantic Division-clinching win over Florida State, travel north to play the Syracuse Orange (3-6). Check out the Clemson vs. Syracuse prediction and game preview.

Clemson vs. Syracuse Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 14
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: ABC/ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

Clemson wrapped up the Atlantic Division with last week’s crucial win over Florida State, but the Tigers’ work is far from done.

Clemson will be in the Dec. 5 ACC Championship Game, likely looking across the field at North Carolina. But each of the next three games with Syracuse, Wake Forest and South Carolina is huge, because the Tigers essentially control their own destiny for a spot in the playoffs. Based on the caliber of the regular season competition, Clemson’s biggest threat to perfection might be its own focus and overconfidence. The Orange is mired in a six-game losing streak that’s severely challenging the future of head coach Scott Shafer. The program and the coach are in dire need of a stirring upset Saturday.

Why Clemson Will Win

The Tigers’ edge in speed will be exacerbated on carpet. Clemson has far better athletes than Syracuse on both sides of the ball. Defenders Shaq Lawson, Ben Boulware and Mackensie Alexander will school an Orange offense providing little help for young QB Eric Dungey. And on defense, Shafer’s kids have yielded at least 41 points in four of the last five games, troubling results with QB Deshaun Watson, RB Wayne Gallman and WR Artavis Scott descending upon the dome.

Why Syracuse Will Win

Clemson just ended Florida State’s ACC reign with an emotional victory in Death Valley. How does this team possibly get up for a trip to the Carrier Dome to play a flailing Orange squad? Syracuse cannot match the Tigers’ talent, but it can exceed their drive and emotion. Dungey is a playmaker who can fire up the crowd, and the Orange is 3-2 at home, including a moral victory against LSU.

Player Who Matters

The Orange secondary has been throttled of late, allowing three touchdown passes to backups, Florida State’s Sean Maguire and Louisville’s Kyle Bolin, in consecutive games. The unit should be easy pickings for Watson, who’ll delight at a chance to face someone other than the Nole defensive backs. Scott is the star on the outside, but rookie WR Deon Cain is coming on strong and TE Jordan Leggett has caught six touchdown passes.

What’s Going To Happen?

The week after Florida State will always be dangerous for Clemson, especially after it clinched the division. However, Dabo Swinney has his Tigers focused on the bigger picture, a crack at a national championship. Plus, Clemson is so superior to Syracuse at all units that any challenge from the Orange shouldn’t last beyond halftime.