I was at the Clemson Syracuse game, and I left extremely impressed with the Syracuse team. Syracuse lost 27-23, but if look closer at this game and the season as a whole, the Orange have a chance for a big season.
Syracuse came into the game 4-0, all with blowout wins. That’s what you do against bad teams – Sorry Florida State. We knew Syracuse was putting up tons of points, and we knew Eric Dungey is as underrated a QB as there in college football. They hadn’t faced a team the caliber of Clemson yet. Then we’d finally just how good Syracuse is.
The Orange went into Death Valley without fear. Why should they? They beat Clemson last year. I said before the game, that Syracuse was one of the 3 toughest games remaining on the schedule.
I think Syracuse is one of the 3 toughest games left for Clemson along with NC state and Duke.
— Jeff or Jeffrey Fann (@TalkinACCSports) September 29, 2018
They are the most similar team on Clemson’s schedule to the Texas A&M one that gave Clemson fits a couple of weeks ago. A high quality Dual Threat QB with a good passing game. In the first half especially, Dino Babers had his team moving ball efficiently against the Tiger’s vaunted defense. QB Eric Dungey and his wideouts were making plays all over the field.
The Syracuse defense held the Tigers to 7 points, and the Orange had a 16-7 halftime lead. The Syracuse offense began to struggle, but still managed to extend the lead to 23-13 in the 4th quarter. Dino Babers was going for 4th downs, and defensively they were still holding the Tigers in check. Believe me those in attendance, thought a loss to Syracuse was a very real possibility.
Clemson’s superior depth finally wore down the Syracuse defense, and the Tigers to their credit won the game. Syracuse proved in this game, that last year was no fluke – and look at the schedule – could win 9 maybe 10 games.
Syracuse is as explosive an offense as there is in the ACC, and don’t expect anyone else to be equipped to hold them to 23 points like Clemson did.
Games against at Pitt and at home against UNC look very winnable. Syracuse could be 6-1 hosting NC State. That will be a pivotal game, but then it’s at Wake Forest and Louisville at home. Do either of those games scare anyone? Syracuse might be 9-1 or 8-2 facing Notre Dame. Then they finish the season with a Boston College team that doesn’t seem capable of stopping any competent offense.
Now tell me this Syracuse team can’t win 8, 9 or even 10 games this season. They lost today, but a really nice season is there for the taking.
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1 ping
Ken says:
September 29, 2018 at 11:36 pm (UTC -5)
Great game, tough loss. The last time the ‘Cuse visited “Death Valley,” the Tigers clawed them 54-0. Yes the Orange left with another loss on their latest visit there, but their performance in the four point loss has me very optimistic and excited for the rest of the season. Obviously Clemson is an elite program that plays the game the right way. I have the utmost respect for them.
Travis Etienne…WOW.
Syracuse’s next game is at Pittsburgh on Oct. 6th. The Orange has lost 7 straight in the steel city, including the 76-61 (yes that was the score)setback two years ago. Their last victory there was back in 2001.