Clemson’s start to the season has not matched the hype that surrounded it in the offseason. As we enter week four of the college football season, the Tigers sit at 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC after losing to Georgia Tech last week. This knocked Clemson completely out of the AP top 25 this week after coming into the season ranked fourth in the country.
There is still time for the Tigers to right the ship, but it’s got to start this week. On top of that, Clemson has no more room for error. This Clemson team has the talent to go on a run for the next three quarters of the season. A spark has to be found in this group soon, though. This is a great week to find it against a scrappy Syracuse team coming into Clemson.
Clemson vs. Syracuse
Matchup History
This will be the 13th meeting all-time between Clemson and Syracuse. The first meeting between these programs was in the 1996 Gator Bowl. That game was won by the Orange 41-0.
The Tigers lead the series overall 10-2. Since Syracuse joined the ACC in 2013, it‘s only beaten Clemson one time back in 2017. The Orange have never won a game in Memorial Stadium, where this weekend’s game will be played. Clemson won the last matchup at home 27-21 in 2022.
The 2023 season was the last time the Tigers and Syracuse met. Clemson won that game 31-14. This will be the first time the Tigers will face the Orange with Fran Brown as their head coach.
Importance of this Game
For Clemson, this game has become much bigger than it was two weeks ago. While, of course, every game matters in college football, even in the 12-team playoff model, this game was not as much of a must-win. Also, the confidence of the Tigers getting the win was much higher.
With the way Clemson has performed the first three weeks of the season, the perception of the Tigers has been severely damaged. Many thought this could be the year Dabo Swinney was proven right about his “old-school” method of roster building. Now, the same conversations about Swinney’s stubbornness holding Clemson back are ramping back up.
The talent is there for the Tigers to be successful, but it’s going to take a little more than that. The staff needs to find effective ways of using the talent presented to them as well. They can’t force the talent to fit into what they want to do scheme-wise. The coaches must meet the players where they are at and come up with game plans that fit the talent.
How Clemson Rights the Ship
There is no doubt that Clemson needs to win this game if it has any chance of saving its season. There is one way for the Tigers to do so, and it’s a drum we will continue beating until it happens. Garrett Riley has to trust in Adam Randall and commit to the run game.
Yes, the downfield passing game is fun to watch, and it is great when it works. But when it is not moving the ball, it is useless.
Randall has what it takes to be the premier back for the Tigers this season. He’s shown that he is by rushing for 192 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks.
Syracuse is not very stout up front. The last power conference opponent the Orange played was Tennessee in week one. They gave up 246 rushing yards in that game. Both UConn and Colgate were able to establish a run game against Syracuse as well. Clemson should dominate the game up front and run the ball a ton early on.
Establish the ground game early, get the offense in rhythm, then have Cade Klubnik let it rip when the box is packed. If Riley can be patient with the run game and let it open everything up, the Tigers should get rolling at home.
Main Image: Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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