Clemson vs. Syracuse prediction |
It’s Homecoming at Clemson.
Always a special time, the Tigers will celebrate with a night game in Death Valley against Syracuse. A win continues the Tigers’ move up in the rankings and makes them bowl eligible. This is just the third meeting between Clemson and Syracuse. The Orange won the first meeting at the 1996 (end of 1995 season) Gator Bowl in Jacksonville by a 41-0 score. Last year, Clemson won at Syracuse by a 49-14 score behind the passing combination of
Tajh BoydTajh Boyd Can the Tigers put up similar numbers under
Cole StoudtCole Stoudt Syracuse is 2-0 in true road games this season, while Clemson is 4-0 at home. The Tigers also have a six-game home winning streak, dating back to last season. Which team will see a streak end? WHAT: Syracuse at No. 21 Clemson WHERE:Memorial Stadium, Clemson SC (82,500) WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 25 (7 p.m.) SPREAD: Clemson by 14.5 TV: ESPNU (Anish Shroff, Kelly Stoufer, Cara Capuano) WHY SYRACUSE MIGHT WIN *It’s the same as last week. Clemson’s offense just isn’t the same without quarterback
Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson *Syracuse’s defense is playing pretty well…..The Orange like to blitz off the edge and play man coverage. That was a killer last season as Boyd and Watkins – and even
Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries *Syracuse has had a lot of moving parts on the offensive line, but….. Due to injury, the Orange has used six different offensive line combinations in seven games. Eight different players have started at least once with Nick Robinson (RG), Ivan Foy (RT) and John Miller (C) all missing at least one game because of injury. Preseason All-ACC left tackle Sean Hickey is the only member of the group to start all seven games. Because of the moving parts, it’s that much more impressive that first-year coach Joe Adam’s unit is tied for fourth in the FBS in fewest sacks allowed (5). Can they keep that kind of success against Clemson? WHY CLEMSON MIGHT WIN It’s getting repetitive, but…..This Clemson defense is playing really, really well right now. The Tigers leads the nation in tackles for loss, and they’ve made better quarterbacks than A.J. Long look mortal (think Tyler Murphy and Jacoby Brissett). Defensive coordinator
Brent VenablesBrent Venables *The offense is beginning to find its way…….
Artavis ScottArtavis Scott *Speaking of the run game….The Tigers lost leading rusher
Adam ChoiceAdam Choice *History is on Clemson’s side…..Syracuse is the second of three first-time visitors to Death Valley. Clemson defeated Louisville on October 11, 23-17 in the Cardinals first appearance. Syracuse makes its first appearance on Saturday, then Georgia State will be a first time visitor on November 22. Syracuse is the 55th different team to play in the Valley, and the Tigers are 40-13-1 against teams making their first appearance in the stadium. Since 1978, however, it’s almost impossible to beat Clemson at home in that situation. The Tigers are 24-2 during that span, losing only to Marshall in 1999 and Miami (FL) in 2005. WHAT WILL HAPPEN Syracuse has a freshman quarterback who will be making his first appearance in a loud environment, at night, against one of the nation’s best defenses. That alone is a recipe for a Clemson win no matter what the offense can muster. But Clemson’s offense will make enough plays and score enough points that this one is not in doubt by the middle of the third quarter. Dye makes an appearance, Williams and Scott continue to make plays and Stoudt gets a little better while the defense does its thing. FINAL SCORE CLEMSON 27, SYRACUSE 10 * Points: 3 pts for best prediction of the week (tiebreaker is Clemson score), 1pt for picking the correct winner
Quarterback (2009 - 2013)
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
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to
Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
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. Boyd threw for a record 455 yards and five touchdown passes, while Watkins had four catches for 126 yards, including a 91-yard score from Boyd. Clemson led 35-7 at halftime. Clemson finished the game with 624 yards of total offense and averaged 8.1 yards per play.
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
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? Will this – like the previous two weeks – be a defensive struggle?
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
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. Senior Cole Stoudt led the Tigers to a win last week, but there were at least two occasions where he could have been picked off. Despite almost 400 yards of total offense, the Tigers managed just one second half touchdown and had to hold on late to beat Boston College.
Sr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 193
Spartanburg, SC
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– beat them repeatedly over the top. But Stoudt has a thin offensive line, no running game to speak of and Syracuse played perhaps its best defensive game of the season last week in its win over Wake Forest. Syracuse scored two defensive touchdowns and has the confidence it can play with Clemson.
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
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stacked the box against Murphy and Boston College last week and all but shut down the Eagle run game. Expect more of the same this week, as Venables dares the freshman signal caller to go out and win the game against a defensive line that will be attacking with a frenzy. Another great stat – Clemson is sixth nationally in red zone defense as opponents have been inside the Clemson 20 yard line just 15 times in seven games. If Syracuse wants to pull the upset, it’s gonna have to pull out all the stops against a defense that is making its own stops. The advantage is all Clemson in this matchup.
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL
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(38) and
Mike WilliamsMike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 208
Vance, SC
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(30) have combined to catch 68 passes, 40.5 percent of the Tigers’ total receptions. Williams is second in the ACC in receiving yards (95.9 yards per game) and both receivers seem to be developing a chemistry with Stoudt. Stoudt hasn’t looked like a world-beater, but he hasn’t had to be with the play of the Clemson defense. Stoudt also played the Louisville game with a bum shoulder, and he had to have a shot during pre-game and at halftime last week. His arm strength is back, and he told us this week that he doesn’t expect to need a shot against the Orange. If he can go out and turn it loose and gain some confidence, the offense can finally break through. Especially if they can find a spark in the running game.
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
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early last week, and he’s out for the season. However, both
Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA
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and
C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-10, 203
Clemson, SC
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were effective at times last week, and the Tigers will get a boost with the debut of freshman running back
Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 5-11, 214
Elberton, GA
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. Dye likely won’t see a lot of snaps and you wouldn’t expect more than five rushes out of him, but any lift he can give the offense is a good one. As he gets healthy, he will push the rest of the backs to be better. It’s not too much of a stretch to see Dye being a major contributor by the end of the season.
GUEST PREDICTIONS
Mickey Plyler - 6AM-9AM EST on WCCP 105.5FM -
31-13 Clemson
Tony Crumpton - TigerNet's Associate Editor - 34-14 Clemson
Nikki Steele - TigerNet Writer - 30-7 Clemson
Lawton Swann - Clemson Sports Talk / TigerNet Talk - 34-13 Clemson
Pigskin Prophet - 30-13 Clemson
Dutch Coleman - 9AM-12PM EST on WCCP 105.5FM - 31-9 Clemson
Game
Actual
David Hood
Mickey Plyler
Tony Crumpton
Nikki Steele
Lawton Swann
Pigskin Prophet
Dutch Coleman
UGA
45-21 UGA
27-24 CU
27-23 CU
28-27 CU
24-21 UGA
31-23 CU
23-16 CU
31-20 CU
SC St
73-7 CU
44-10 CU
45-10 CU
49-13 CU
52-10 CU
43-7 CU
44-10 CU
52-13 CU
FSU
23-17 FSU
27-23 FSU
31-23 FSU
31-21 FSU
30-24 FSU
35-31 CU
31-28 CU
27-24 CU
UNC
50-35 CU
45-17 CU
48-20 CU
42-24 CU
42-17 CU
51-27 CU
41-21 CU
49-17 CU
NCSU
41-0 CU
37-23 CU
41-27 CU
48-25 CU
42-28 CU
42-27 CU
38-28 CU
42-21 CU
LOU
23-17 CU
37-20 CU
31-17 CU
35-17 CU
38-14 CU
45-18 CU
27-17 CU
38-17 CU
BC
17-13 CU
27-21 CU
24-23 CU
24-17 CU
28-10 CU
34-20 CU
27-23 CU
24-20 CU
Points
-
8
6
8
11
7
7
7
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