Syracuse Football: Orange vs Tigers; staff prediction

We continue our Syracuse football staff predictions for Week 7. The Orange take on No. 2 Clemson in prime-time on Friday. ITLH staff shares their thoughts.

Syracuse Football is at a make or break point in the season. Sitting at 3-3 overall (1-1 in the ACC) and heading deep into conference play, the Orange need to show what they’re made of. They will have a chance this Friday in prime time in a nationally televised game on ESPN versus a ranked opponent: the No. 2 Clemson Tigers.

The chances to win this game are slim to none, but this Syracuse Football team this year has been full of surprises so anything can happen. What does our staff think? Are they optimistic about the Orange’s chances? Or we going to crash the upset party? Let’s take a look at their thoughts:

Paul A. Esden Jr.- Site Expert

Follow: @BoyGreen25

Maybe I’ve been drinking too much of the Kool-Aid. I’ll take the three plus touchdown spread because I think SU has a real chance to make this an interesting game. Most of these responses from our panel preface the injury that Clemson QB Kelly Bryant is dealing with, from everyone that I’ve talked too close to the situation suggest he’ll be very near 100% on Friday night.

So we can kill that talk immediately. This team is arguably better than they were last year and they won the whole darn thing. Although a lot of people like pointing to the 54-0 score where SU was embarrassed by the Tigers in Death Valley last season, these are different teams. The one thing SU should carry into this game is a sense of pride.

They haven’t been blown out in any of their games this season. The Cuse has an opportunity to show that they truly belong in the ACC. It won’t be easy. Clemson has a championship caliber roster again and the Orange have to play a perfect game to have a chance. I think they do, call me a homer but I think this team pulls off the upset! SU wins 32 to 29.

Neil Adler- Contributor

The Syracuse football squad reverted back to its winning ways last weekend, inching out a close victory at home versus Pittsburgh. Now, the Orange gets set to host Clemson, the number-two team in the country, this Friday night. It’s a nationally televised affair, in which the Tigers are a humongous favorite. SU (3-3), in my opinion, may prove able to hang with Clemson (6-0) for part of the game. However, I don’t think the ‘Cuse has enough firepower to pull off the monumental upset. A pivotal key is whether Tigers starting quarterback Kelly Bryant, nursing an injured ankle, plays against Syracuse. Either way, I unfortunately feel that the Tigers will prevail, 31-17. But I hope my instincts are wrong!

Zach Weisleder- Contributor

Finally, Syracuse Quarterback Eric Dungey will get his chance to showcase his elite talents on a national level. Going into Friday night, Syracuse is more than 22-point underdogs, and are more than ready to not just beat the spread, but possibly upset the second best team in the country. I see Syracuse losing 43-33 after a late fourth-quarter score by Clemson.

Andrew Carey- Contributor

Follow: @Papi_Carey

Syracuse will do all it can to try and limit the damage done by Clemson’s offense, and if Tigers QB

More from Inside the Loud House

Kelly Bryant really is suffering from a serious injury then the defense should be able to limit the Clemson offense.

A key for the defense will be limiting the big plays by Clemson’s offense. On the Syracuse offensive side, the Orange will need to put some points on the board EARLY if they want any chance to upset the Tigers. Dungey cannot come out like he did against LSU or NC State and throw an interception on his first passing attempt.

Clemson’s defensive line is one of the most NFL-ready units in the entire country and Syracuse’s offensive line must answer the challenge. Unfortunately I don’t think the Syracuse offense will have quite enough to get the job done and will fall short by a score of 35-17.

Paul A. Esden Sr. – Contributor

This game will differ greatly from last years embarrassing blowout. The OITNF is firing on all cylinders this year and has another year of this offense under its’ belt.They put together a good game but will need a perfect game to stay in this one. I think they will keep it close in the first half before fading away. 49-28. However on any given night anything can happen. Let’s show our visitors how we earned our name. The Loud House. Be Loud, Be Proud, Be Orange.

Next: Syracuse Football: 5 questions with Clemson PxP Don Munson

Josh Peelman- Contributor

Follow: @jnpmessenger

Personally, I think Syracuse will do its best to upset #2 Clemson this week at home on Friday in the Dome. I think the Orange stand a chance if Kelly Bryant, Clemson’s starting QB doesn’t play because of an ankle injury. If he plays, I think the Orange have very long odds. As of now, I’m under the assumption Bryant will play and thus that gives a huge edge the Clemson.

Not to mention they’ve had one of the best defenses in the nation this year. The Orange at home always have a shot, but it’s a small one. For the first time this year, I have the Orange losing a game. I think it won’t be as bad as last year’s 54-0 romp at Clemson, but I think it will still be over by midway through the third quarter if not sooner. Obviously I hope that is not the case, but I’ll still be rooting heavily for the Orange to win. I have the Orange losing 44-17.

Home/Syracuse Football