Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Clemson Football: 3 keys to victory vs. Syracuse in Week 3

By Dante Pryor

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive lineman Kendall Coleman #55 of the Syracuse Orange pursues quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers on a play after which Lawrence would leave for the lockerroom at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive lineman Kendall Coleman #55 of the Syracuse Orange pursues quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers on a play after which Lawrence would leave for the lockerroom at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammate Justyn Ross #8 after his third quarter touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers is congratulated by his teammate Justyn Ross #8 after his third quarter touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. Survive Syracuse’s initial punch

When you’re the No. 1 team in the country, it stands to reason you are going to get your opposition’s best effort. Clemson clearly has the advantage in this game based on early returns, but this game is in the Carrier Dome, and the last time the Tigers visited upstate New York to play the Orange they lost 24-27. Kelly Bryant got knocked out of that game, and the offense was completely inept without him.

The Carrier Dome was loud and raucous for four quarters. Eric Dungey played lights out. The Orange remember that and so do the Tigers.

Clemson is better equipped to handle losing their starting quarterback than it was two years ago, and Eric Dungey has graduated and moved on. However, the Syracuse faithful will be out en mass ready to root for the Orange to shock the world.

If Clemson can overcome that initial surge Syracuse will have playing at home, and being ready to give the Tigers their best game then they should be fine. They have the better team with so many of their pieces returning (especially on offense) from last season.

Home/Clemson Tigers