5 intriguing storylines to track during huge College Football Week 8 slate

Is this the year No. 14 Syracuse finally defeats No. 5 Clemson?

Head Coach Dino Babers has the Syracuse Orange humming in 2022, off to a perfect 6-0 start with key wins over Louisville, Purdue, and No. 15 NC State last week. Their defense has played outstanding, surrendering an average of just 13.2 points per game through Week 7 of the college football season.

The Orange are trying to do something they have never done before: defeat Clemson in South Carolina. In fact, Syracuse is just 2-8 all-time vs this week’s opponent, No. 5 Clemson. Their only wins against the Tigers came in 2017 in New York and 1996 in Florida at the Gator Bowl.

With the way this defense has performed, many have a watchful eye on the Orange to see if they can slow down a resurgent DJ Uiagalelei. The Inland Empire, Cal. native has posted strong numbers this season of 1,665 passing yards, 17 TD, and just 2 INTs. They’ll also have to account for running back Will Shipley, who’s recorded a combined 703 rushing and receiving yards this season and 8 touchdowns.

For Syracuse, QB Garrett Shrader has been incredibly difficult to stop this season. He’s completed nearly 70% of his passing attempts, thrown for 1,434 yards, 12 TD, and 3 INTs. He’s also carved up defenses on the ground, rushing for 300 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns.

Something has to give in this matchup of unbeatens, will it be the experience and firepower of Clemson or the stringent defense from Syracuse?