CLEMSON — Last year, Syracuse came to Clemson and the Orange punched the Tigers in the face early and the Tigers never responded.
Syracuse was the tougher and more physical team, and it showed all afternoon in Death Valley. As a result, they left Tigertown with their first win at Memorial Stadium.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has preached to his team that they have to come out and be the tougher and more physical team if they want to leave Syracuse with a win.
How will the Tigers respond?
Clemson (5-3, 3-2 ACC) at Syracuse (4-4, 2-4 ACC)
- Kickoff: Saturday, noon
- Location: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
- TV: ESPN2
- Spread: Clemson minus-2.5
- Total: 49.5
- Series: Clemson leads the series 10-3
- Last meeting: Syracuse won 34-21 in 2025
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Clemson can clinch bowl eligibility with a win. If they do, the Tigers will be bowl eligible for a 28th consecutive season, one of only three schools who can say such. Georgia and Ohio State are the other two.
KEY MATCHUP
Umari Hatcher ranks second in the ACC behind Miami’s Malachi Toney in catches (60), receiving yards (952) and TD receptions (8). Syracuse will line up Hatcher everywhere on the field. He will be Clemson’s main concentration, so expect corner Ashton Hampton to match up with him a lot, like he did to Toney a few weeks back. Clemson held Toney to a career low five catches for 40 yards and 0 TDs. The difference between Toney and Hatcher, however, is the fact Hatcher is 6-foot-3 and weighs 190 pounds. Not only does he have speed, but he can also highpoint the football, so this should be a very interesting matchup to watch with Hampton (6-2, 205). The Clemson defensive back leads the country in passes defended with 10 and is 4th nationally, allowing opponents to complete just 24 percent of the passes thrown his way.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Clemson’s Bryant Wesco is due for another breakout game. He had 9 catches for 152 yards against Miami on Oct. 3. Syracuse likes to play a lot of press man, so if Wesco can get off the line, he should have opportunities to make plays. The Orange has allowed 11 TD passes and has 4 interceptions, and 59 percent of opponents’ passes to be completed for 221.0 yards per game. Wesco leads Clemson with 38 catches for 411 yards and is still waiting for that first TD reception.
Last year, Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli ripped Clemson’s secondary apart, and he did it in less than a half. He completed 18 of 31 passes for 245 and 2 TDs. He ultimately left the game due to tearing his Achillies. The Orange quarterback struggled early in the season and missed several games due to injury, However, during the Orange’s two-game win streak, he looks like the old Angeli again. He has completed 41 of 68 passes (60.2 %) for 456 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions in wins over UNC and SMU.
THIS AND THAT
Clemson is 11-2 in regular season road games since November of 2023. Clemson’s only regular season road losses in that span came on a 55-yard last-second field goal at Georgia Tech in 2025 and this year’s season opener at LSU. When expanded to include College Football Playoff first round action, Clemson is 10-3 on the road since the start of the 2024 season, and the Tigers’ .769 road winning percentage in that span is tied with Ohio State for seventh best in the country.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Clemson’s defense matches up with Syracuse’s passing attack. However, the Orange’s strength on defense is located where the Tigers’ have their biggest weakness. Injuries to left guard Elyjah Thurmon (concussion) and center Harris Sewell (ankle) means the Tigers will be starting freshman Grant Wise at center and sophomore Gavin Blanchard at left guard, along with fellow sophomore Easton Ware already at right guard. Though he has started all season at left tackle, Brayden Jacobs is also a sophomore on what is a very young and raw offensive line. Defensive tackle Rashard Perry (6-3, 295, Sr.) is a constant problem for opposing offenses and he will be one for Clemson. He is the main clog in stopping the run. He has 32 tackles at his defensive tackle position. He also has 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and one interception. He, along with fellow tackle Nissi Ogbebor (6-6, 300, So.), are a constant problem up front. Ogbebor has 10 quarterback hurries. However, the Orange has given up a lot of sacks as well, and Angeli has not fared well against pressure all season, as he threw three interceptions against Cal and two against Pittsburgh – both losses.
Prediction
Clemson 27, Syracuse 23