SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Here is a look at the top matchups for today’s game between No. 1 Clemson at Syracuse. The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m., from the Carrier Dome, and will be televised nationally on ABC/ESPN2.
Mackensie Alexander vs. Steve Ishmael: Syracuse wide receiver Steve Ishmael can’t wait to go up against Alexander today. He says Alexander is the reason he worked so hard in the off-season to get bigger and stronger. Last year, Alexander held the sophomore without a catch in the Tigers’ 16-6 victory in Death Valley. Ishmael again leads the Orange in receptions coming into today game. He has 30 catches for 458 yards and five touchdowns. Alexander has not allowed a touchdown reception in 18 games and opponents have caught just five passes on him all year. Advantage: Clemson
Clemson punt coverage vs. Brisly Estime: Syracuse’s Estime ranks second in the country and leads the ACC in punt returns with an 18.8 yards per return average. He has two touchdowns, including one of 74 yards. He also returned a punt 59 yards for a score against Florida State two weeks ago. The Tigers have held the opposition to 4.3 yards per return this year and have allowed no return to be longer than 17 yards. Advantage: Syracuse
Clemson’s defense vs. QB Zack Mahoney: This will be the second start for Mahoney as he subs for the injured Eric Dungey who is out with a concussion. Mahoney went 16 of 38 for 154 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to LSU earlier this season. Clemson’s defense ranks seventh nationally in pass defense and is fifth in pass efficiency defense. The Tigers will also bring a lot of exotic blitz off the edge and has been able to get pressure with just three and four down linemen all year. Advantage: Clemson
Deshaun Watson vs. Syracuse secondary: The Orange are giving 274.2 yards a game through the air, which ranks 110th nationally. In the last four games, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has a passing efficiency rating of 171.52. During that time Watson completed 93 of 132 passes (.704) for 1,243 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception. He has totaled 1,534 yards and 13 touchdowns despite playing a little more than one half in one of those games. Advantage: Clemson
Wayne Gallman vs. Syracuse’s front seven: Gallman needs 23 yards to each 1,000 and one more 100-yard game to tie Kenny Flowers’ (1985) and Raymond Priester’s (1996) single-season record of seven 100-yard games. He can become just the 14th player of all-time at Clemson to amass 1,000 yards in a season. Gallman is averaging 108.6 yards per game. The Orange is allowing 163.8 yards per game on the ground as opponents are averaging 4.4 yards per carry and have 17 touchdowns. Advantage: Clemson
Bottom line: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has stressed to his team all week how hard Syracuse is going to play, and because of that the Tigers will play equally as hard. Clemson also has more talent and because of that this game will not be close.
Prediction: Clemson 55, Syracuse 0