Clemson Visits Syracuse Friday in ACC Showdown
On Friday night, college football features an ACC matchup when the No. 2 ranked Clemson Tigers visit the Syracuse Orange. The current line has Clemson favored by 22.5 points with the over/under point total on 56.5.
Entering this game, Clemson on the season is 6-0 straight up and 4-2 against the spread. On the road, the Tigers are 2-0 SU and ATS. Syracuse on the season is 3-3 SU and 3-2-1 ATS. At home, the Orange is 3-1 SU and 1-2 ATS.
Kelly Bryant the star quarterback for Clemson was injured in last week’s game against Wake Forest, but returned to the practice field Monday and is expected to start when the Tigers face Syracuse Friday night
Last Saturday, Bryant hurt his ankle during Clemson’s 28-14 victory at home against Wake Forest, The win was Clemson’s 11th consecutive and the Tigers are 37-2 over their last 39 games played. Clemson rests next week prior to a tough ACC stretch.
Syracuse is 0-4 all-time against Clemson, which includes being routed 54-0 last season. However, the Orange is much stronger this season than last, especially on the defensive side of the play and last week beat Pittsburgh 27-24.
Clemson is very well balance offensively averaging over 237 yards rushing and 233.5 yards passing per game. Bryant is the offensive catalyst leading the team in rushing yards with 401 and 7 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,258 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Defensively, Clemson ranks No. 5 in the country against the score allowing just 11.2 points a game, and No. 8 in total defense giving up 264.3 yards a game.
The Orange now has a respectable defense giving up 24.2 points a game, after allowing almost 39 per game last year. The improvement on defense combined with the team’s potent offense that is averaging over 466 yards per game, has made Syracuse a tough opponent.
Signal caller Eric Dungey is in the top five in total offense averaging 354.4 yards a game and has to solid and experienced pair wide receivers in Ervin Phillips and Steve Ishmael, who combined have caught 356 passes at Syracuse.
Clemson is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games played.
Syracuse is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games played at home.
Prediction: Syracuse likely will not beat Clemson, but the Orange will keep it close and cover.
