After going on the road and beating Florida State, Clemson will now head to Syracuse, looking to string together back-to-back victories.

After its late comeback win over SMU on Saturday, the Orange (4-4, 2-4 ACC) have won two straight. Syracuse also beat North Carolina in overtime the previous weekend.

Quarterback Steve Angeli, who lit up the Tigers in Death Valley last season before leaving with an injury, has played an instrumental role in those two wins, going 23-of-31 passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Head coach Fran Brown, while hopeful his team can reel off a third straight win, was very complimentary of Dabo Swinney and Clemson (5-3, 3-2) during his weekly press conference on Monday.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity this weekend and go out and compete against Clemson,” Brown said. “Coach Dabo Swinney is arguably one of the best coaches in college football. He won a national championship two times. He is like a mentor to be honest. He’s one of those college coaches that everybody wants to learn from. I think he has a really good football team — a team that’s a couple of points away from being undefeated when you sit there and watch them. Outside of their first game.”

Brown noted he’s seen a lot of growth from freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds over the past few weeks. He also boasted about running back Gideon Davidson. However, the Tigers’ starting running back is out this week with an ankle injury, so Brown won’t see Davidson on Saturday. Jarvis Green is expected to start in his place.

“These guys can play football,” Brown added. “They have a lot of really talented players. They run the ball well. Their quarterback is coming into his own right now. You can constantly see him being able to throw, run. That running back, Davidson, I think he is really, really talented. He is one of the better backs in the country. The wideouts — all those dudes can play. The tight end, Olsen (Patt-Henry), is really tough.”

Brown also spoke highly of Tom Allen and the Clemson defense. The Syracuse head coach mentioned Ashton Hampton by name, as well as Eliott Washington and Sammy Brown. Washington is coming off a two-interception game in the win over FSU.

The Clemson secondary has been one of the strengths on that side of the ball and should provide a challenge for Angelli and the Syracuse offense.

“On the defensive side of the ball, Tom All is a vet and understands the game. He has a lot of guys on the defensive side that can really play ball,” Brown said. Really happy for Ashton. We got to know each other through high school and he is doing a really good job. Elliot Washington, he is over there killing it. He is a good football player. They got a lot of players. Sammy Brown, who I know well. They have a really good football team. I can’t wait for the opportunity to go out and compete against them.”

Clemson and Syracuse will kick off at noon on Saturday and the game wil be televised on ESPN2.