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The Syracuse University football team is gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Clemson Tigers on Saturday (September 20) at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The game is set to kick off at noon and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Syracuse enters the game riding high after back-to-back victories, including a dominant win over Colgate at the JMA Wireless Dome last Friday.
Clemson, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back after a narrow loss to Georgia Tech, where a last-second field goal handed them a defeat. Despite a 1-2 start to the season, Clemson remains a formidable opponent, especially at home, where they hold a 6-0 all-time record against Syracuse at Death Valley. The Tigers are favored by 17.5 points, according to the VegasInsider.com consensus betting line.
Clemson's defense will be bolstered by junior Will Heldt, a transfer from Purdue, who leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss. On the offensive side, wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. has been a standout, becoming the first Tiger since 2020 to record back-to-back 100-yard receiving games.
For Syracuse, tight end Dan Villari leads the team with 16 catches and ranks second in receiving yards among tight ends nationally. Freshman cornerback Demetres Samuel Jr. is also making waves as one of the youngest players in college football, having started the season opener.
Clemson's head coach Dabo Swinney is aiming to improve his team's record following losses, a situation in which he has been successful in the past. The Tigers are also attempting to extend their winning streak against Syracuse to seven games, the longest in the series history.