Clemson vs Syracuse NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Coming off a bye week, the Syracuse Orange will get set to host No. 3 Clemson who arrives in upstate New York undefeated and reeling off solid performance from Heisman contender Tajh Boyd.
No. 3 Clemson (4-0) vs. Syracuse (2-2)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Carrier Dome,
City: Syracuse
O/U Odds: 64
Spread: Clemson -14
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Meanwhile, the Orange will try to remember their game plan from 1996, when they beat Clemson 41-0.
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Boyd has thrown nine touchdown passes without an interception in four consecutive wins for the Tigers, but will face a Syracuse defensive squad that has been known to shut down even the best quarterbacks — ala Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater last year at the Carrier Dome.
Boyd leads an offense that averages nearly 500 yards and 43 points per game.
He has connected with wide receiver Sammy Watkins for 96 receiving yards in three of thoes four games, including six catches for 113 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown catch last weekend in a 56-7 blowout over Wake Forest at home.
Defensively, the Tigers are ranked 25th in the nation in points against and are led by defensive end Vic Beasley who has recorded six sacks on the year. However, they have shown their inconsistencies.
Meanwhile, Syracuse wide receiver Jarrod West has caught at least one pass in 18 straight games and needs just 50 yards for 1,000 in his career. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
He is just one of four Orange players with over 100 yards receiving so far this season, with 11 grabs for 211 yards. Christopher Clark has 15 catches for 202 yards and three touchdowns as well.
Defensively, the Orange has given up its share of points this season, which puts Syracuse at 45th in the nation giving up 22 points a game. They surrendered 585 total yards against Northwestern, giving up 325 passing yards.
That’s going to be a problem against a player of Boyd’s caliber, who if not contained early, will have a field day come this weekend.
Matt’s Prediction
Clemson has won 12 straight games against unranked teams by double digits, and I really don’t see the outcome of this one being any different.
Not to take anything away from the Orange, but even with an extra week of preparation coning into this one, I don’t see them having much success slowing down the Tigers’ offense.
If the Orange can at least establish the run game against an inconsistent Clemson defense, they could keep this one closer than the spread.
Clemson 31, Syracuse 17
