Clemson vs. Syracuse preview, prediction: Week 8 college football picks

A pair of ACC rivals square off in a battle for first place in the Atlantic Division as Clemson welcomes Syracuse in college football's Week 8 action on Saturday.

James Parks | Oct 22, 2022

Clemson vs. Syracuse preview, prediction: Week 8 college football picks /

Clemson vs. Syracuse preview, prediction

Clemson Tigers college football team schedule, rankings — Week 8 college football picks: Clemson vs. Syracuse

How to watch

When: Sat., Oct. 22

Time: 12 p.m. Eastern

TV: ABC network

Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

More college football on SI: College football scores | College football rankings | College football schedule

Odds, point spread, betting lines

Odds courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Clemson -13.5

Syracuse ATS:

Over/under: 49.5

Moneyline: SYR +400, CLEM -654

FPI pick: Clemson 83.5%

Clemson vs. Syracuse: What you need to know

Syracuse Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader on a rushing attempt during a college football game in the ACC. — USA Today Images

1. De facto division title game? It's a little early to sort out the Atlantic Division chase right now, but this game will no doubt go a long way in doing that. If Clemson wins, it would still need to take down Miami or Louisville in the next few weeks to take the division. But it means more for the Orange, who still have trips to Pittsburgh and Wake Forest. Syracuse comes in at 6-0 overall and 3-0 in ACC play, compared to Clemson's 7-0 overall mark and a 5-0 record in conference. Winning the head-to-head here is vital.

2. Clemson up front. Coming into last week, Clemson boasted the 4th stingiest rushing defense in college football, but Florida State ran through it for over 200 yards, a number the Tigers had allowed on the ground just four times in the last six years. Dabo Swinney said his team missed 26 tackles in that game, being out of position, slow at the point of attack, or missing their angles of pursuit. That issue has to be corrected as Clemson lines up against Syracuse's 1-2 punch on offense.

3. Shrader and Tucker. Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader is a legitimate threat moving the ball in the air, averaging 171 yards per game with 12 TDs and three picks while completing almost 70% of his attempts. He'll have opportunities against Clemson's secondary, which allows almost 256 passing yards per game. Tucker had 157 yards rushing in this game last season and is hitting over 5 ypc this year with 6 of Syracuse's 12 rushing scores. Shrader has five of those other TDs while adding 300 yards on the ground. This duo can challenge Clemson's front seven, one of the nation's best making plays behind the line.

Fast Facts

+ Clemson and Syracuse are 2 of 9 undefeated teams left in FBS

+ Syracuse has start 6-0 two other times since World War II, and finished undefeated both times (1959, 1987)

+ Clemson has won 37 straight games at home

+ Syracuse is 26 of 28 (.929) in the red zone this season

+ 5 of Clemson's last 7 teams to start 8-0 went on to play for the national championship

+ Orange are 5th nationally allowing 13.2 points per game

+ Clemson is 135-8 when leading at halftime under Dabo Swinney and 15-25 when trailing

+ Syracuse has punted 16 times, 9th fewest nationally

+ Clemson is 140-5 when leading after three quarters under Swinney and 12-27 when not

+ Syracuse is 62-8 when leading at halftime under Dino Babers and 8-50 when trailing

+ Clemson has scored 30 points in 7 straight games and 13 of the last 14

+ Syracuse is 0-24 under Babers scoring under 20 points and 60-15 when scoring 30-plus

+ Clemson is 29-6 under Swinney in games where it enters ranked lower than it did the previous week

+ Orange are 59-12 when allowing 29 or fewer points under Babers and 14-47 when allowing 30-plus

Clemson vs. Syracuse Prediction

Syracuse has the variety to run on Clemson better than most teams on its schedule thanks to the pairing of Shrader and Tucker, and coming off a close fought, 3-point loss in this game last season.

It's a pairing that can help the Orange control the clock, sustain longer scoring possessions, and keep DJ Uiagalelei and company off the field.

Clemson has taken important steps improving its offensive output after last season's subpar outing, but it's still not the caliber of those elite star-studded teams that took the program to College Football Playoff prominence.

By testing Clemson's secondary early, Syracuse can help open things up in close range to establish its rushing capacity. But that's a tough ask when trying to ward off the Tigers' physical front seven.

College Football HQ Prediction: Clemson 30, Syracuse 20

College football rankings

According to AP top 25 poll

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Published Oct 22, 2022

JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He previously covered football for 247Sports and CBS Interactive. College Football HQ joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022.