Clemson heads to Syracuse on Nov. 7 with a chance to build on a win that changed the mood around the program, but the Tigers are walking into this one banged up and under pressure to handle a defense that can wreck a game at the line of scrimmage.
The Tigers beat Florida State 36-24 last week, a result that led to the firing of Seminoles coach Mike Norvell the next day. Now they get another ACC road test against a Syracuse team that has flipped its league season after a rough start.
The Orange opened conference play with four straight losses, then stunned North Carolina in overtime on the road and followed that up with a 30-27 win over No. 24 SMU.
This matchup also gives Dabo Swinney another shot at Fran Brown after Clemson’s loss to Syracuse last season. Swinney said this week he was outcoached in that game, his first against Brown.
Clemson enters at 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the ACC, while Syracuse is 4-4 and 2-4. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPN2.
The biggest issue for Clemson is availability. The Tigers will be without three offensive starters: center Harris Sewell, left guard Elyjah Thurmon and running back Gideon Davidson.
Starting slot receiver Tyler Brown is questionable, too. That makes an already difficult assignment even tougher, especially for a team that may need to lean more heavily on the passing game.
Against Florida State, Clemson averaged only 3.7 yards per carry, but quarterback Tait Reynolds delivered in a way he hadn’t in more than a month, throwing his first two touchdown passes in over a month. He also pushed the ball downfield more often, finishing with an average depth of target of 8.3 yards, his second-highest mark of the season. If Brown can’t go, Reynolds may need to keep leaning on tight ends Christian Bentancur and Olsen Patt-Henry.
On the other side, Clemson’s defense has to do its part by making life miserable for Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli, assuming he plays. Angeli is listed as questionable, though he carried that same tag before the Orange’s last two games and ended up playing in both. He’s started Syracuse’s last two contests and has four turnover-worthy plays in that span, according to Pro Football Focus.
Angeli did have success against Clemson last season before his Achilles injury ended his year in the third quarter. He threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Clemson’s secondary is better now, but the Tigers also need their pass rush to show up and force Angeli into mistakes.
That’s where the game can tilt. Clemson has been good at creating takeaways, even if that didn’t always show up in the results until the Florida State win.
The Tigers are fourth in the ACC with 11 takeaways, including seven interceptions. If they can keep that trend going and continue to shut down the run the way they did against Virginia Tech and Florida State, they’ll give themselves a real chance.
Syracuse, though, brings a front seven that can cause serious problems. The Orange have 23 sacks, and two players sit among the ACC’s top 10 in sacks.
Keyshawn Johnson has six, and Tunmise Adeleye has 5.5. PFF says Nissi Ogbebor ranks third in the ACC with 32 quarterback pressures.
Even if Adeleye can’t play, Syracuse still has enough heat up front to challenge Clemson’s battered offensive line. That could mean Reynolds is under fire more than once.
Clemson’s injury list is long. Along with Sewell, Thurmon and Davidson, the Tigers’ initial Nov. 4 report listed Corian Gipson, Polo Anderson, Shavar Young Jr., Kobe McCloud, Cole Turner, David Eziomume, Mason Wade, Braden Wilmes and Markus Strong as out. Tyler Brown and Gordon Sellars III were questionable.
Syracuse also has its own list to manage. Darien Williams, Jai Eugene Jr., Amari Odom, Jackson Iak and Terrell Wilfong were out.
Malachi Nelson was doubtful, while Angeli, Adeleye, Matthew Hawn and Alex Haskell were questionable. Kahlil Stewart and Dillan Fontus were listed as probable.
The matchup comes down to whether Clemson can survive the pressure, protect Reynolds and get enough disruption on defense to turn Syracuse over. If it does, the Tigers should have enough to leave with a win. Clemson 27, Syracuse 21.
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