Clemson will look to get its season back on track this weekend as it hosts Syracuse in its second ACC contest of the year.
The Tigers, 1-2, 0-1 ACC, have yet to live up to expectations in any of their matchups this season, but understand they can turn things around in a big way against Syracuse.
Despite what the records may show, Syracuse comes into the game as the obvious underdog. The Orange has lost six consecutive matchups to the Tigers and has never won in Death Valley in school history.
For Clemson, more questions arise after each performance this season. After a heartbreaking 24-21 loss last week to Georgia Tech, including a 55-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, Clemson has fallen out of the top 25, going from championship contenders to College Football Playoff longshots.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik and the Tigers’ offense will look to finally put the pieces together on Saturday, as their struggles this year have been evident. Clemson is averaging fewer than 20 points per game thus far and will need more of a spark for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Syracuse, 2-1, 0-0 ACC, enters the game as the clear underdog. While the Orange might not have history on their side when facing the Tigers, there’s optimism in year two under head coach Fran Brown.
The Orange comes into the weekend off a 66-24 win against Colgate. Steve Angeli, the team’s transfer quarterback from Notre Dame, is currently leading all of college football in passing yards, averaging more than 357 passing yards per game.
Angeli will be surrounded by wideouts Darrell Gill Jr. and Justus Ross-Simmons, who will give him options to make plays against Clemson’s secondary. Gill Jr. is coming off a 152-yard, two-touchdown performance that earned him ACC Receiver of the Week honors against Colgate.
The matchup provides different opportunities for both teams, as Syracuse looks to keep its momentum going with a statement win to kickstart ACC play and change the outside view of their program.
Conversely, Clemson will attempt to find their footing and start a winning streak headed into a bye week on a high.
The Tigers and Orange will kick off Saturday at noon in Death Valley and will be covered on ESPN.
