Syracuse Football: Week 3 Clemson Tigers crystal ball predictions

Paul A. Esden Jr, Site Expert (1-1)

We’ve finally made it to game day! While the Maryland lost did take some wind out of the sails a bit, the Orange have forgotten about that and have rebooted for the Clemson game.

Doing a deep dive analysis on this game, several things seem evident.

If the Orange want to compete, they have to trade blows with the Clemson Tigers.

It won’t be easy, but I don’t see any other way where Syracuse wins this game. The past two matchups have both been sub-30 scores (27-24, 27-23), but the Tigers offense is so much better than each of those teams.

The Tigers have a Heisman candidate at quarterback, running back, and at both wide receiver spots. That’s not hyperbole, that’s accurate.

Syracuse and Brian Ward are going to have to deliver a rock star performance in this one. It’s not necessarily going to be stopping this Clemson offense, but more so containing it, forcing turnovers, and getting that critical stop at the end of the game.

If you remember, in the Syracuse vs Clemson game last year, the narrative was the Orange defense ran out of gas. In this one, Syracuse will be ready for the moment.

The x-factor is Tommy DeVito.

He can’t play “not to lose” and hope the elite special teams and defense can carry the Orange to victory, that’s not realistic. If Syracuse is going to win this game, DeVito is going to have to make some plays.

Call me crazy, maybe I’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid, but I have the Orange winning 54-51 over the Clemson Tigers in an instant ACC classic we’ll remember for many years to come.