Clemson vs. Syracuse: Game Preview With TV Schedule

Coming into the year, not many people knew where to slot the Clemson Tigers when it came to the playoff race, especially after losing starting quarterback Tajh Boyd to the next level. After a slow 1-2 start to the season, the Tigers have responded with four consecutive victories, jumping back into the Top 25 at No. 21.

On the opposite side of things, the Syracuse Orange began the season 2-0, even blowing out Central Michigan 40-3, but have since lost four of five, falling to a 3-4 overall mark that not many people are surprised about. The Orange’s one promising season has turned into quite the opposite and it looks like they will be playing spoiler for the rest of the year.

Clemson’s quarterback situation this year has been a bit sloppy, to say the least. Senior Cole Stoudt was supposed to be the next solid QB to come through Dabo Swinney‘s system and take over for Boyd, but he failed to live up to expectations, giving way to freshman dual-threat Deshaun Watson. However, Watson suffered a possible season-ending injury two weeks ago and Stoudt is back in command. On the season, the senior quarterback has passed for 934 yards and just one touchdown while throwing two interceptions and completing 62 percent of his passes. He has a dynamic group of receivers to throw to, though, as sophomore Mike Williams leads the way with 671 yards and four touchdowns on 30 catches while freshman sensation Artavis Scott has 38 catches for 443 yards and three scores. The run game has struggled much more as Adam Choice is the leading rusher with just 218 yards and a score while both C.J. Davidson and Wayne Gallman have 198 yards apiece.

Syracuse has had quarterback issues of its own as starter Terrel Hunt went down with an injury a couple weeks ago and was expected to miss four to six weeks, giving way to freshman AJ Long. Before his injury, Hunt passed for 983 yards, a touchdowns and four picks while rushing for another 307 yards and six scores. In place of Hunt, Long has passed for 338 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes and adding a rushing touchdown of his own. Jarrod West will continue to be the team’s top target no matter who the quarterback is, catching 29 passes for 421 yards, but failing to reach the endzone this season. Steve Ishmael is the team’s second-leading receiver, accounting for 248 yards and two scores on 15 catches. Running back Prince-Tyson Gulley has added 18 catches for 101 yards while also leading the team in rushing yards with 418 to go along with a rushing TD.

Defensively, the Orange rank in the top half of the nation in a few major categories. Syracuse is nothing less than solid on defense, allowing 357 yards per game as well as a 50th-best 23.9 points per game. Clemson’s success this season can be largely attributed to its defense, ranking 19th in points allowed and fifth in total yards allowed per contest. The crowd at Memorial Stadium will be loud and hungry for a Clemson home victory.

Syracuse will travel to Clemson to take on the Tigers at 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 25. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 14, Clemson 34

Want to see the Orange take on the Tigers in week nine? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].