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Syracuse’s first quarter of the season tested it against three nonconference opponents of varying skill levels.

An opener against then-No. 24 Tennessee out of the Southeastern Conference showed SU second-year head coach Fran Brown that there’s still room to grow. A nail-biter versus UConn nearly put the Orange on the brink of their first 0-2 start since 2020. A crushing win over Colgate proved Syracuse might have the best passing offense in the country again.

SU’s three-game trial run is now in the rearview mirror. A gauntlet of an Atlantic Coast Conference schedule awaits, and it opens Saturday in Death Valley. While beginning the year as the No. 4 team in the land, Clemson has spiraled out of the AP Top 25 following its second loss in three games. The Tigers dropped their season opener to then-No. 9 LSU and fell in their ACC opener in Week 3 against Georgia Tech. They need a revival and look to do so against the Orange.

Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (2-1, 0-0 ACC) will fare against Clemson (1-2, 0-1 ACC) in its conference opener:

Aiden Stepansky (3-0)
Sorry 50 Cent
Syracuse 23, Clemson 31

Brown referenced rappers The Game and 50 Cent when asked Monday about his team opening as heavy underdogs versus the Tigers. As 50 Cent says in his 2005 hit, “Hate It or Love it, the underdog’s on top.” I love 50 Cent, and I love this song. But sadly for Brown and the Orange, the underdogs won’t be on top Saturday in Death Valley.

Syracuse is taking on a Clemson team that’s struggling offensively. The Tigers rank third-to-last in the ACC in points (19.3) and have just eight trips to the red zone in three contests. The star power of Cade Klubnik, Adam Randall and Bryant Wesco Jr. can still give the Orange problems. And if projected first-round pick Antonio Williams plays, SU is in even more trouble. Syracuse has shown zero ability to rush the passer in 2025, with only one sack from a defensive lineman. That’s a recipe for disaster.

On the flip side, Clemson’s defensive line is “f*cking nice,” as Brown put it. Top prospects Peter Woods and T.J. Parker have yet to get going this season but can still wreak havoc. Steve Angeli will likely find out about them early and often, as I still don’t have much trust in SU’s offensive line.

Battles like the one in South Carolina this weekend are won in the trenches. While I think Syracuse’s offense will move the ball and score some points, I don’t think its defense will make enough stops down the stretch. Brown loves being the underdog. I do think there are a few times where 50 Cent’s words will ring true for the Orange this year. This won’t be one of them.

Cooper Andrews (3-0)
Dabo runs into some trouble
Syracuse 27, Clemson 30

Clemson football’s pregame tradition features its players running down the grass hill that extends down from the Memorial Stadium left end zone stands to the field. The Tigers’ two-time National Champion head coach, Dabo Swinney, is infamous for his noticeably aggressive sprints down the slope. It’s as if he’s going to buckle his chinstrap himself and suit up to play.

With the way Clemson’s performed to start 2025, letting Swinney play might not be a bad idea. But the Orange aren’t lucky enough to bask in that absurd reality. Instead, they’ll go toe-to-toe with one of the nation’s most-loaded defensive lines and a quarterback in Klubnik who had preseason Heisman hype.

Though I believe Syracuse will give Clemson a heck of a fight — one that’ll send Swinney running fast into the locker room at halftime to make adjustments — the Orange don’t have enough power in the trenches to escape with an upset win.

Brown’s own words strayed me into this direction. Two days after beating UConn 27-20 in overtime, he said SU’s offensive line has been getting Angeli “killed” through its first two games of the season. Giving up five sacks to Tennessee’s front seven elicited concern. Angeli’s lack of time to throw through three quarters against the Huskies warranted changes. Syracuse rotated 10 guys on its offensive line versus Colgate last week. But I don’t see any backups holding their ground against Woods, Parker and possibly Williams.

While Brown lamented his offensive line, he praised Clemson’s defensive line to the high heavens. Angeli’s proficiency and the Tigers’ offensive inconsistencies will make this game close, but don’t be surprised when a Clemson sack wraps up Syracuse’s impending road loss.

Zak Wolf (3-0)
Eye of the Tiger
Syracuse 19, Clemson 33

Brown joked Monday that he was going to find anyone he saw and bring them into Syracuse’s practice, in an effort to replicate the hostile atmosphere at Memorial Stadium. As Darrell Gill Jr. explained, nothing can simulate a game in Death Valley. Brown can blast 50 Cent as loud as he wants, but his tactics will fall short.

Having Death Valley be your first true road game isn’t ideal. Clemson has lost just six games at home since 2014, and Syracuse won’t make it seven. The Orange have given the Tigers some scares over the years, losing by four in 2018 and six in 2022, but I find it hard to believe SU will be that competitive in its ACC opener.

I don’t mean to be repetitive, but the mismatch in the trenches is glaring. Syracuse can’t protect Angeli, allowing eight sacks in three games. It also has an inability to rush the passer, with only three sacks so far, which will be detrimental against Clemson. Football is won in the trenches, and the Tigers will manhandle Syracuse there. Despite Klubnik’s disappointing start to the season, he’ll have ample time to dissect SU’s secondary.

It looks like Yasin Willis will be available after missing SU’s game against Colgate, which will give its rushing attack a boost. However, even if Syracuse can move the ball effectively with Angeli — which is still very debatable — Clemson’s defense will hold Syracuse to field goals rather than touchdowns, which will be the difference. The Tigers have playmakers on defense who can disrupt drives, while Syracuse lacks them.

I was tempted to make the scoreline a blowout, but I have faith in Brown to keep this one somewhat respectable.

Published on September 17, 2025 at 9:03 pm