Syracuse, N.Y. — How many people thought Clemson would be playing for its season in just its second game of conference play?
Regardless of preseason projections, Syracuse faces the challenge of a desperate team Saturday.
Syracuse’s win against Miami last season gave the Hurricanes their second ACC loss of 2024 and knocked them out of the conference championship in favor of Clemson. Now, the Orange can hand Clemson two ACC losses in as many weeks and crank the heat on the Tigers’ season.
It won’t be easy, though. While the Orange is coming off two home wins, the last time it played away from the JMA Wireless Dome was no pretty sight: Tennessee (2-0, 0-1 SEC) beat the Orange by 19 points in the Aflac Kickoff.
While Mercedes-Benz Stadium was filled with Tennessee fans, it was technically a neutral-site game. Saturday’s game in Death Valley, however, is Syracuse’s first true road game of the season.
Here are 10 things to know heading into Syracuse’s conference opener.
Scouting report
Clemson may be off to a rocky start, but Syracuse coach Fran Brown isn’t underestimating the Tigers. He said Monday that Clemson’s 1-2 record, which includes two one-possession losses, could easily be 3-0.
When discussing what he liked about the Tigers on film, Brown wasn’t shy about the task his players will face.
“They could easily still be talked about as the best team in the country,” Brown said. “I think that’s who they are.”
Brown described Clemson’s offense as “loaded.” The defensive line, however, received a more colorful description.
“They f— nice,” Brown laughed. “They’re ridiculous. Especially [Peter Woods]. I like [Woods] a lot.
“I can’t wait to play against them, though, just to see where we are.”
Just like Tennessee’s roster, Brown recruited many of Clemson’s players during his stint at Georgia. Now, Brown and his Syracuse team will meet the developed product head on.
Backfield pressure
Brown sees Clemson’s offense as a threat that is led by quarterback Cade Klubnik. The best way to derail any passing attack is through pressuring the quarterback, especially on the road.
Syracuse, though, has mustered just three sacks this season. While hits and pressures are fine, Brown wants to see his team get the quarterback to the turf.
“We’ve got to let the rushers rush and the droppers drop,” Brown said. “We want more sacks. Of course we do. I just really want to win. If winning means you can’t have a lot of sacks, then they can keep the sacks and we’ll take the Ws.”
Syracuse currently has a pass rush grade of 68.9, according to Pro Football Focus. That ranks 71st in the country and 10 spots ahead of Clemson.
Nationwide leaders
It appears as if Jeff Nixon is back at it. After guiding Kyle McCord to the ACC’s single-season passing yards record last year, Syracuse’s offensive coordinator has Steve Angeli leading the nation in passing yards through three games.
Angeli is on a 12-game pace of 4,288 yards and 32 touchdowns. Excluding McCord’s Holiday Bowl performance, that would place Angeli just 38 yards shy of McCord and three touchdowns ahead.
“Coach Nixon’s approach to offensive football is we’re going to be aggressive,” Angeli said Tuesday. “He does a great job of really just putting us in situations to make plays, whether it be in the run game or in the pass game. We have a very versatile offense, so it’s unbelievable opportunity to play in it.”
Angeli isn’t the only one on national leaderboards. Wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. ranks 24th in receiving yards, trailing Clemson’s Bryant Wesco Jr. by 41 yards. Meanwhile, Dan Villari is second in receiving yards among all tight ends.
Tough times in Clemson
The Tigers are under heavy scrutiny after losing their ACC opener to Georgia Tech. Clemson’s lone win after losing its home opener to LSU was against Troy.
Clemson fell into a 16-point hole against the Trojans before scoring 27 unanswered points. The Tigers have gone from being ranked No. 4 in the preseason poll to unranked.
“We’re in a hole,” said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney on Monday. “We’re in a hole, man. We put ourselves in it and we’ve got to battle our way out. But there’s a path. It’s not like we’re being run off the field. These are good teams. No one wants to give the opponent’s credit.”
Clemson has won eight of the last 10 ACC titles and made seven of the last 10 College Football Playoff fields. If it loses Saturday, though, Clemson’s chances of adding to those totals become slim.
The young and the rested
Last week’s game against Colgate afforded Syracuse the opportunity to play many of its young players before they are ultimately issued a redshirt.
It resulted in wide receivers Darien Williams and Gabe Daniels earning their first touchdowns, and Daunte Bacheyie and Demetres Samuel Jr. earning their first catches.
Samuel already starts for the Orange at cornerback along with fellow true freshman linebacker Antoine Deslauriers. Brown, after weeks of anticipation, has also been able to get offensive guard Byron Washington into Syracuse’s rotation.
Brown isn’t afraid to lean toward youth. Across offense, defense and special teams, at least 18 of Syracuse’s rotation players are freshmen and sophomores.
“They’re good football players,” Brown said. “I bring them in all the time and talk to them about, when all of them get on the field and they’re all mentally and physically developed enough and ready to play ball, we won’t be stopped.”
Syracuse is tied for seventh among FBS schools for the most first-time starters this season with 11 — trailing Navy by three for the most. Of those 11, eight are underclassmen.
What the numbers say
Syracuse has won two of its last three ACC openers. However, Saturday marks the first time since 2021 that the Orange will begin conference play on the road.
Since joining the ACC 13 years ago, Syracuse’s conference opener has been on the road just three times, and the Orange is winless in those games. ACC openers haven’t been kind to Syracuse overall.
The Orange is 4-8 in ACC openers all time, including 0-3 against Clemson. Syracuse is 2-10 all time against the Tigers, including 0-5 in Death Valley.
Injury report
Syracuse running back Yasin Willis is expected to play after sitting out last week’s game vs. Colgate.
Brown said he also expects left tackle Trevion Mack (foot)and safety Devin Grant to return from two-week hiatuses.
Wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons (finger) is expected to play. Right tackle Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, like Ross-Simmons, exited the Colgate game early and is listed as probable.
He was taken to the medical tent with a limp but returned to the sideline laughing with his teammates.
Redshirt-sophomore wide receiver Tyshawn Russell likely will not play due to an undisclosed injury.
Clemson was without four starters in last week’s loss to Georgia Tech; wide receiver Antonio Williams, safety Khalil Barnes and offensive linemen Tristan Leigh and Elyjah Thurmon. All four were listed as probable this week.
How to watch
Syracuse vs. Clemson will air at noon on ESPN, which you can stream on Sling (half off first month).
Live stream: Sling (half off first month), DirecTV (free trial), fuboTV (free trial), Hulu + Live TV
Cable subscribers can log in on ESPN.com or associated apps to stream the game for free.
Odds
The latest betting lines for Saturday’s game are as follows:
Spread: Syracuse +17.5 (-110), Clemson -17.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Syracuse +575, Clemson -800
Total: Over/Under 55.5 (-105/-110)
Odds are the best available at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Fans can find even value with the promos from DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, and BetMGM, though neither New York nor South Carolina permits in-state college sports betting.
Please note that in New York, you cannot bet on in-state college teams. This applies to both home and road games. However, you can bet on college teams from schools located outside of the state.
See our picks
BRENT AXE: Clemson 34, Syracuse 24
CHRIS CARLSON: Clemson 27, Syracuse 13
JAVON EDMONDS: Clemson 28, Syracuse 17
NATE MINK: Clemson 42, Syracuse 17