The Clemson Tigers and the Syracuse Orange meet Saturday in college football action from the Carrier Dome. Clemson last played Florida State in their fourth game of the year. The Tigers went on to lose a close one in overtime. As for Syracuse, they’re fresh off a matchup against Army. The Orange ended up winning by 13 points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Clemson Tigers 

The Tigers’ 2023 campaign kicked off with a tough matchup versus Duke. Clemson ultimately couldn’t get close in a 28-7 loss to start the year. The next two games were both wins for the Tigers, though: a 66-17 blowout win over Charleston Southern and another big win 48-14 against Florida Atlantic. QB Cade Klubnik posted 169 yards and three scores in the game three win. 

In the Florida State game last weekend, the Tigers outscored the Seminoles 10-7 in the second half to force overtime but eventually lost 31-24. Klubnik had 283 yards with a touchdown in that one, and Phil Mafah led the rush with 69 yards. Tyler Brown was tops in receiving with five grabs for 84 yards. 

Clemson Tigers Team Facts

Clemson has won 53 of its last 57 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Clemson has failed to cover the spread in 12 of its last 14 September games as a favorite.
Clemson has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
Clemson has won the first half in 11 of its last 12 games against conference opponents.
Six of Clemson’s last seven games as a favorite against Syracuse have gone UNDER the total points line.

Syracuse Orange

Over on the Orange’s side, they got off to a nice start through their first three games this year at 3-0. Syracuse beat Colgate 65-0 in their opener. Game two was a 48-7 blowout victory over Western Michigan, then came a 35-20 win versus Purdue. Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader posted 195 rush yards with four touchdowns in the win over the Boilermakers. 

Matched up against Army in game four, the Orange were down 10-3 going into the third quarter. Syracuse outscored the Knights 26-6 from there and won it 29-16, though. Shrader posted 245 yards with a TD and an interception. LeQuint Allen was the leading rusher on 104 yards and a score, while Damien Alford caught nine balls for 135 yards. 

Syracuse Orange Team Facts

Syracuse has won each of its last 10 games in September.
Syracuse has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
Syracuse has won the first quarter in four of its last five home games against conference opponents.
Syracuse has lost the first half in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
Each of Syracuse’s last seven home games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Syracuse ranked T14th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.615).
Syracuse ranked 30th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (4.4).
Clemson ranked T5th among FBS teams for H1 win percentage last season (.786).
Clemson ranked 13th among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (3.4).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stay with Syracuse. We should have a pretty fun matchup on our hands here regardless, though. The Orange posted a nice comeback win over Army back on Saturday despite a listless first half. Syracuse would end up with 403 total yards (245 passing) and 20 first downs, but the third-down conversions (3-of-11) could use some work. Still, that makes 29 or more points in each game for the Orange so far. 

As for Clemson, they were able to hang tough against a very good Florida State team in their last outing, holding the Seminoles to just 22 rushing yards. This is going to be another competitive matchup and you could make a good case either way. I like Syracuse to eke out the cover in the end, though.