Clemson Faces Syracuse in Crucial ACC Showdown Amid Playoff Uncertainty

Clemson Tigers are set to host the Syracuse Orange in an ACC football matchup, with Clemson aiming to avoid a difficult 0-2 start in conference play that would further harm their College Football Playoff chances. Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli, who leads the country with 1,072 passing yards and has thrown eight touchdowns so far, poses a significant threat alongside top receiver Gill, who recently earned ACC Player of the Week honors. Clemson, currently 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC, is favored by 17.5 points but has yet to cover the spread this season, highlighting challenges despite being ranked higher in ESPN's power ratings. Both teams have notable injuries and probable starters, with Clemson seeking to improve after a narrow loss to Georgia Tech and Syracuse coming off a strong 66-24 win over Colgate. The game, scheduled for Saturday at noon ET on ESPN, carries high stakes as Clemson strives to keep its ACC championship hopes alive amid a tough season start. Analysts predict an intense contest with Clemson holding an 80.5% chance to win, but Syracuse's dynamic offense and recent momentum make this a critical test for the Tigers.