After back-to-back non-conference wins, the start of the ACC season is upon us. Syracuse football get things started Saturday afternoon against the Clemson Tigers. Before the season, we looked at Clemson’s high hopes for 2025 and the interesting series history between the Orange and Tigers. Now it’s time to take a closer look at where the Tigers sit ahead of Saturday’s game with Syracuse.
Where is Clemson ranked?
Following a 1-2 start to the season, Clemson has dropped out of the top 25. Based on how many votes they received in the AP poll, the Tigers would rank 36th, one week after being ranked No. 12.
Dabo Swinney responds to critics: "I mean, if Clemson is tired of winning. They can send me on my way, but I'm gonna go somewhere else and coach. I ain't going to the beach."#CollegeFootball #Clemson #DaboSwinney pic.twitter.com/BIbZOnlQn2
— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 16, 2025
Where is Clemson in the standings?
There were just three ACC games last week, and since Clemson lost one of them, the Tigers are technically tied with Boston College and Wake Forest for last in the league right now. Based on this week’s ACC power rankings, that’s not great company to be keeping.
What did Clemson do last week?
The Tigers are coming off a 24-21 road loss to Georgia Tech in their ACC opener. The Tigers got punched in the mouth early, trailing 13-0 midway through the second quarter. To their credit, Dabo Swinney’s team fought back to take the lead. After trailing again, they tied the Yellow Jackets at 21 late in the fourth quarter. But a 55-yard field goal at the buzzer gave Georgia Tech the win.
Who is Clemson’s quarterback?
Clemson is led by Cade Klubnik, who has 31 career starts under his belt. He led the Tigers to a 9-4 record two years ago and a 10-4 record last season. Despite being one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football, Klubnik isn’t off to a great start in 2025. He’s thrown an interception in all three of his games, while completing less than 60% of his passes. That being said, Klubnik remains a competent passer who is also a threat with his legs. After LSU and Troy kept him bottled up, Klubnik rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown against Georgia Tech last week.
Who are Clemson’s other stars?
Most of Clemson’s best players are on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackle Peter Woods, defensive end T.J. Parker, and cornerback Avieon Terrell are all potential first-round NFL draft picks. In fact, all are arguably the top NFL prospects at their positions for next year’s draft. Meanwhile, Purdue transfer Will Heldt is the team’s sack leader early in the season, getting two in the team’s first three games.
"Clemson's d-line? They're f**ing nice."
— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) September 15, 2025
"They probably have one of the better front 7's in the country...watching them on tape, you're like DAMN."
Fran Brown did not mince words when asked about Clemson's defensive front (that features multiple projected NFL draft picks): pic.twitter.com/BFHzkRhYqt
Offensively, the Tigers potentially have two elite wide receivers. Antonio Williams is among the top draft prospects at his position, although he hasn’t played since picking up a hamstring injury early in the season opener. His availability for this weekend remains to be seen. However, sophomore Bryant Wesco has helped to pick up the slack. He has amassed 310 yards and three touchdowns on 18 catches over Clemson’s first three games. That includes a 73-yard catch-and-run touchdown against Georgia Tech that briefly gave the Tigers the lead.
What is Clemson’s biggest flaw?
The biggest weakness Clemson has shown this season has been on the offensive line. While Klubnik has only taken three sacks in three games, he’s rarely had a lot of time to sit in the pocket. He’s been flushed from the pocket consistently, forcing him to use his legs rather than the Tigers using Klubnik’s legs as a weapon. Clemson is also averaging a modest 3.8 yards per carry on the ground and hasn't showcased much depth at running back beyond senior Adam Randall.
How does Syracuse beat Clemson?
Despite Clemson’s recent struggles, the Orange is a three-score underdog against the Tigers. The first challenge Syracuse faces is handling the environment. While two of the Orange’s last three trips to Clemson have been one-score games, there aren’t many members of the 2025 Orange who have played at Clemson’s Death Valley. The noise will be particularly challenging for Steve Angeli and the offensive line, which is already facing an elite defensive line and will also have to play cohesively and avoid drive-killing penalties.
The path to victory also includes the Syracuse defense having a great game. There is no way the Orange is winning a shootout against Clemson, but anything is possible in a low-scoring slugfest. If the Syracuse defensive line can take advantage of Clemson’s issues along the offensive line, the Orange can avoid falling too far behind early. The longer Syracuse keeps this game close, the more restless the fans will get amidst Clemson’s 1-2 start, opening the door for an upset. But if Syracuse falls two scores behind, there will be a narrow path back into the game.