Clemson vs Syracuse: Our Take

Each week we give you our three keys to the game and our staff predictions. Here is a look at tonight's opponent Syracuse.

The Match Up:

#2 Clemson (6-0, 4-0) @ Syracuse (3-3, 1-1)

Clemson's Last Visit to Syracuse:

All-Time Series:

Clemson Leads 4-1
at Syracuse: Clemson leads 2-0
at Clemson: Clemson leads 2-0
at Neutral Site: Syracuse leads 1-0
Since Syracuse Joined ACC: Clemson 4-0
1st Meeting: Syracuse 41-0 in 1995 Gator
Last Meeting: Clemson 54-0 in 2016
Streak: Clemson has won 4 in a row
Last Syracuse Win: 41-0 in 1995 Gator

Key 1: Pressure with Four (or less)

I was tempted to call Key 1 "Pressure with the Front Four," but Brent Venables has had the luxury of bringing pressure with four or less quite a bit this season. In all honesty, as good as they are, Clemson's front four don't do all of the disrupting at the line of scrimmage, as the Tigers defensive ends are more than athletic enough to drop back in coverage which creates confusion up front for opposing lineman. This defensive scheme allows linebackers like Tre Lamar and Kendall Joseph to find free lanes to the quarterback messing up the timing of opposing offenses.

Syracuse's offense is fast, lightning fast. They are going to snap the ball as quickly as possible. The Orange offense is interested in spreading the ball around through the air to wideouts Ervin Philips and Steve Ishmael. If Clemson wants to limit defensive snaps, they are going to have to disrupt quarterback Eric Dungey before his targets can get free in the secondary.

If Clemson can get pressure with four down lineman or less, that gives them the ability to drop more men in coverage making it increasingly more difficult for Syracuse to navigate Clemson's stingy secondary. This season, Clemson has minimized pass interference penalties with better technique and the windows to complete passes seem tighter. Clemson's secondary has benefited from the disruptive play upfront. 

Key 2: Cool off the Carrier Dome

This game is essentially the Super Bowl for Syracuse. The Orange are a team that I felt wouldn't be bowl eligible this season and getting to six wins is still going to be tough for Dino Babers' team. They have three wins already but face Clemson, Miami, Florida State, Wake Forest, Louisville, and Boston College the rest of the regular season. Trying to find three wins in those six games isn't going to be easy. Given that fact, you can rest assured the Orange are going to be fired up at the opening kickoff.

If Clemson can stick to the road script that we have seen this season, one would opine that the Tigers will be fine. Clemson has traveled on the road to more hostile environments already and played far better competition in their matchups with Louisville and Virginia Tech. 

If Clemson hits Syracuse early, I don't thank the fans in attendance, or the players on the field for the 'Cuse will be interested in answering the bell.

Key 3: Keep Kelly Bryant Upright

Clemson is good enough to beat Syracuse without Kelly Bryant. I said during Monday's show if Bryant's ankle weren't 100% I wouldn't play him. I don't think Clemson's chances at another ACC title game or a third consecutive college football playoff birth are in jeopardy if Coach Swinney decided to rest Bryant tonight. Clemson's just better than Syracuse. But if you lose Bryant for an extended period, that could significantly change the outlook of Clemson's season.

Given the fact the Dabo Swinney said Bryant was "ready to roll," everyone expects him to play. If he's indeed out there, Clemson has to protect him. Not to win this game per say, but to keep him healthy for the schedule ahead. With matchups looming against NC State and Florida State, the Tigers need #2 to be 100%.

Prediction:

Last season Clemson made a mockery of this game winning 54-0 in Death Valley. It appeared things were headed that way two years ago in the Carrier Dome as well. You might recall, Clemson jumped out to a 14-0 lead in less than two minutes of game action. 

Ironically it was backup quarterback Kelly Bryant's fumble, that gave Syracuse hope. However, the #1 Tigers would outsprint the Orange in a 37-27 victory moving to 10-0 on the season. Some might look back at that moment as Clemson being a bit "liberal" with their substitutions.

This past Sunday, Coach Swinney addressed the frustration some fans had with Clemson giving up points late against Wake Forest as the Tigers allowed some younger players to get in-game reps. Swinney said, "My thought process is I'm not trying to please fans. I'm trying to build a program. If they get bored with winning, that's their problem. I'm trying to play the guys who deserve to play and build our team."

Given Swinney's take this past Sunday, you can expect to see young players getting opportunities when Clemson feels comfortable, but I'd be willing to bet we don't see a backup quarterback until Clemson has a little more cushion in the Carrier Dome this time around. 

Clemson Sports Talk

Final Score Predictions:

Best Prediction = 3 Points        Correct Prediction = 1 Point 

Listen to last night's show: