Get to know the Clemson Tigers: Syracuse football's week-four opponent in 2025 season

It might be a little bit of a stretch to call Syracuse football and Clemson bona fide rivals. However, there is no denying that these two teams have played some memorable games against one another since Syracuse joined the ACC. After missing each other last season, the orange and blue will be facing the orange and purple in Week 4 of the 2025 college football season.

Clemson’s head coach: Dabo Swinney

Syracuse fans certainly know this guy, as Swinney has been the Clemson head coach since taking over as the interim coach in 2008, pre-dating the Orange’s arrival in the ACC. During that time, the former Alabama walk-on has led the Tigers to nine ACC championships and two national championships. Swinney is now entering his 18th full season as the Clemson head coach.

Since Syracuse joined the ACC, Swinney has had an interesting relationship with every Orange head coach. Who can forget Scott Shafer cursing out Dabo during the first Syracuse-Clemson ACC game in 2013? For years, Dabo and Dino Babers had a rather cordial and complimentary relationship based on mutual respect, which was nice to see. Finally, even before Dabo’s first head-to-head meeting with Fran Brown, the two seem to be on good terms after Coach Fran shouted out Dabo after last year’s win over Miami, which put the Tigers in the ACC Championship Game, and ultimately into the College Football Playoff.

Last meeting with Syracuse: Clemson 31, Syracuse 14 (2023)

This game was perhaps the beginning of the end for Babers. After a 4-0 start in 2023, the Orange’s hype train was stopped dead in its tracks by the Tigers. A pair of first-quarter turnovers put Syracuse behind the eight ball, and the Orange was never able to overcome those mistakes. It became the first of five consecutive losses that ultimately got Babers fired, allowing Coach Fran to take over in 2024.

Series history

Despite a slew of competitive games and memorable moments between the Orange and Tigers, Clemson owns the all-time series 10-2. Syracuse won the first-ever meeting 41-0 in the 1996 Gator Bowl. They next met in 2013, which was Syracuse’s inaugural season in the ACC. The Orange and Tigers clashed for 11 straight seasons until last year’s hiatus.

The only Syracuse victory in those 11 games was the memorable 2017 upset when the Tigers came to the Dome ranked No. 2 in the country, only to lose 27-24 to Eric Dungey and company. However, the Orange gave the Tigers all they could handle in a 27-23 loss in 2018, a gut-wrenching 17-14 home loss in 2021, and let one slip away in a 27-21 loss in 2022. Over the last decade, there have only been a few ACC teams that have given Clemson more trouble than Syracuse. The Orange has actually played some of its best games against the Tigers on the road, showing no fear in "Death Valley.”

Clemson’s 2024 season

The 2024 campaign was not a typical Clemson season. The Tigers were crushed by Georgia in their season opener. They also suffered home losses to both Louisville and South Carolina, giving them a rather modest 9-3 record during the regular season. Alas, Fran Brown and Syracuse saved the day by beating Miami in the final week of the season. That win put Clemson in the ACC Championship over the Hurricanes.

The Tigers eked out a 34-31 win over SMU in the ACC Championship Game, giving Clemson an automatic spot in the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately for the Tigers, a road game against Texas proved difficult, as Clemson failed to capitalize on scoring chances, losing to the Longhorns 38-24.

Clemson’s key returning players

The Tigers will have one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football leading them in 2025. Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns for his senior year with two full seasons as the starter under his belt. On top of being the team’s second-leading rusher last season, Klubnik threw 36 touchdown passes with just six interceptions. In 2025, he’ll be throwing to familiar targets, as the Tigers also bring back their top three receivers from last year in junior Antonio Williams, and sophomores Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore. The Clemson offensive line also features five upperclassmen, who should provide Klubnik with good protection.

There is also a ton of experience coming back on the Clemson defense. It starts with defensive end T.J. Parker, who led the team with 11 sacks last season. At linebacker, Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown return after finishing second and third, respectively, on the team in tackles in 2024. There is also no shortage of depth in the Clemson secondary, as the Tigers return cornerbacks Avieon Terrell, Jeadyn Lukus, and Ashton Hampton, who combined for 24 defended passes last season.

Clemson’s notable additions

The Tigers only added a few players in the transfer portal, but there are some notable names. Purdue transfer Will Heldt figures to step in as a starter at defensive end. Alabama transfer Jeremiah Alexander will add depth at linebacker. Also, wide receiver Tristan Smith will add some depth after coming over from Southeast Missouri State.

As usual, Swinney has found some freshmen who will be ready to play key roles for the Tigers right away. Running back Gideon Davidson has a chance to be the starter as a true freshman. Five-star defensive lineman Amare Adams could also carve out a significant role for Clemson’s defense in 2025. Likewise, freshman edge rusher Ari Watford could become the next instant-impact pass rusher for the Tigers.

Clemson’s 2025 season outlook

As usual, the internal expectations at Clemson will be to compete for a national title. On paper, there is no reason why the Tigers shouldn’t be back in the College Football Playoff and give themselves a chance. As mentioned, Klubnik gives them an experienced quarterback leading the way. It also benefits Klubnik to have a veteran offensive line in front of him and familiar wide receivers around him. Defensively, there is plenty of room for improvement from last season, although the Tigers have a lot of experienced players coming back at all three levels.

The Clemson schedule also sets up the Tigers for success in 2025. They open with a tough game against Brian Kelly and LSU, but Clemson gets that game at home. The Tigers also get Syracuse, Duke, SMU, and Florida State at home, so they’ll have an edge against some of the tougher opponents in the ACC. An early road game against Georgia Tech and late road games with Louisville and South Carolina could trip up Clemson. But if the Tigers play up to their potential, it’s not hard to imagine Clemson winning another ACC title and playing in the CFP.

When and where Clemson plays Syracuse in 2025

The Orange return to Memorial Stadium in Clemson, aka “Death Valley,” on Saturday, September 20.

Learn more about Clemson: https://rubbingtherock.com/

Prediction: Clemson 30, Syracuse 23

Unfortunately, we’ve seen this script before. It’s a safe bet that Fran Brown will have his team ready to compete with the Tigers in “Death Valley.” But pulling out a win is another matter. The Orange should find a way to make this game close and give the Tigers a scare. However, Clemson’s experience at quarterback and along the offensive line should be enough to put the Tigers over the top, especially in front of a hostile Memorial Stadium crowd.