College Football Game of the Week: No. 14 Syracuse vs. No. 5 Clemson
Despite a three-loss season in 2021, Clemson was expected to be a contender for the College Football Playoff again. The Tiger’s roster still had a lot of talent returning and they had the eight-rank recruiting class in the country.
Clemson has bounced back and are 7-0 on the season.
What comes as a surprise in the ACC is that Syracuse is undefeated as well.
The only two undefeated teams left in the ACC will square off in one of the most anticipated matchups of the week.
Last week, Clemson was able to hold off a Florida State comeback to get a six-point victory in Tallahassee.
D.J. Uiagalelei has come up big for the Tigers in their last few games as he has at least three total touchdowns in the last four games.
He is leading the most efficient team in the red zone in the ACC. Clemson have scored a touchdown or field goal on all 35 of its trips to the red zone this season.
Uiagalelei also has only thrown two interceptions on the year.
The Tigers are so dangerous because they don’t leave points off the board and they don’t hand the other team points.
But Syracuse’s defense has been dominant this season. The Orange have allowed the least amount of rushing yards, passing yards and touchdowns in the ACC so far.
Syracuse’s offense is not as impressive as its defense. The Orange’s rushing game and passing game both rank in the middle of the pack of the ACC.
Junior quarterback Garrett Shrader can have a huge impact on this game though. In the Orange’s two one-score wins this season, Shrader led the team down the field to a game-winning score.
In his first full year starting at Syracuse, Shrader has proven he can be a leader of this team. The offense will still have to be more productive against Clemson’s defense as they’re one of the best in the country year-in-year out.
In these two teams’ last five meetings, Syracuse has been competitive for the rosters they’ve been up against. Clemson has won four of the last five but in last year’s matchups Clemson only won by three points.
Syracuse has never been to an ACC championship and this might be its best chance at reaching Charlotte. Clemson is the toughest task they’ll have to face and the Orange have a good chance at winning out in the regular season if they win on Saturday.
But there is a reason that Clemson has been dominant for the majority of the past decade. The Tigers put out one of the most talented rosters in college football year in and year out and it's no different this season.
With the talent that Clemson has and a home field advantage, the Tigers should be able to break down Syracuse’s defense and secure another ranked win.
Prediction: 31-17 Clemson
Jayson O’Connell is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jbo5216@psu.edu.
