Syracuse’s trip into Clemson this week comes with a clear snapshot of where the Tigers stand: a talented roster, a frustrated fan base and a lot of questions around the offense. Ryan Kantor of Shakin the Southland laid out the picture in blunt terms, from Dabo Swinney’s standing with supporters to the way Clemson’s injuries are shaping the matchup.
The biggest issue, Kantor said, is that the 5-3 record doesn’t even tell the whole story. Clemson has already taken heavy losses to two ranked teams, falling by more than four touchdowns in each game, and also dropped a game to a rebuilding Virginia Tech team. That has only added to the frustration around Swinney’s approach, especially after an offseason in which the staff wanted quarterback help from the portal and didn’t get it.
Kantor pointed to the quarterback situation as a mess from the start. Swinney pushed back on the idea of chasing a portal solution, believing Christopher Vizzina and Chris Denson were enough.
Denson switched from quarterback to receiver during spring practice, Vizzina was benched after a game and a half, and Kantor said the situation was made worse by the later revelation that Vizzina was injured against Georgia Southern. He also said Swinney’s comments about the quarterback competition being framed as Reynolds winning the job only added to the confusion.
The offensive line has been another sore spot. Clemson didn’t land the help it needed, and Kantor said the staff was too selective in the portal.
He argued Swinney will need to fully embrace the portal if Clemson wants to get back to winning big, warning that 9-3 could become the ceiling if the approach doesn’t change. He also noted Swinney’s buyout is larger than Mike Norvell’s, which could buy him another offseason to make adjustments.
On the other side of the ball, Kantor gave credit to Tom Allen for steadying Clemson’s defense after a rough start against the run. The Tigers are still allowing 206 rushing yards per game, but the numbers have improved in recent weeks.
Florida State managed only 65 rushing yards, and Virginia Tech was held to 70. Kantor also highlighted the impact of transfers in the secondary, along with the emergence of former five-star defensive tackle Amare Adams, the move of Darien Mayo inside and the return of West Georgia transfer Kourtney Kelly.
That defensive improvement matters because Syracuse has found more success on the ground lately. Kantor said Clemson’s defense is built to trust its secondary in man coverage, but the run defense has become more stable as the season has gone on. He also gave credit to defensive tackle coach Nick Eason for development after the unit’s rough opening stretch.
Clemson’s offense, though, remains the bigger concern. Kantor said the Tigers are dead last in the conference in offensive efficiency and described the unit as a bad fit for a quarterback who struggles with RPOs and zone reads, plus an offensive line that can’t create consistent movement. He expects offensive coordinator Chad Morris to lean more on quarterback runs to open things up, but still thinks Clemson will have trouble turning drives into touchdowns.
That set up his view of the game itself: Syracuse’s run defense, which he placed 42nd in the country in rushing yards allowed per game, should be able to slow Clemson’s backs. Even so, he believes Clemson’s defense, special teams and a quarterback who avoids turnovers could still get the Tigers into the 20-point range.
Kantor also singled out a pair of offensive players to watch. Bryant Wesco Jr. leads Clemson with 411 receiving yards, but Kantor said he’s had a down year because of the quarterback and line issues, along with some missed chances of his own.
He called this a breakout opportunity for Wesco. Gideon Davidson, meanwhile, has not yet lived up to his recruiting hype, and Kantor said a breakout from him would carry extra weight after Swinney’s public criticism.
The key matchup, in Kantor’s view, is Clemson’s offensive line against Syracuse’s defensive line. The Tigers are dealing with injuries up front, including the loss of starting center Harris Sewell, who had been a pleasant surprise after struggling at right guard last season. Clemson is expected to start true freshman Grant Wise at center, and Kantor said the line must avoid penalties while dealing with the added pressure of a limited freshman quarterback and no traditional running game.
His prediction changed once the injury news hit. Kantor had originally leaned Clemson, but after hearing about Sewell and Davidson, he backed off.
He also praised the impact of new special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, saying Clemson may have the best field goal kicking unit in the country and that punting and punt returns are no longer a problem. Still, he expects field goals to be a bigger part of the Tigers’ scoring than touchdowns.
His final call: Syracuse 21, Clemson 19.
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