Syracuse vs. Clemson Odds
| Syracuse Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| +14 -110 | 49.5 -110 / -110 | +400 |
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| -14 -110 | 49.5 -110 / -110 | -550 |
Odds via'Caesars. Get up-to-the-minute'college football odds'here.
By Mike Ianniello
I bet you didn't expect me to start this game between Clemson and Syracuse talking about the quarterbacks.
But, oh am I going to. Because it is not often that the Tigers have this clear of an advantage under center.
After his play was called into question for the majority of last season, DJ Uiagalelei has bounced back and silenced the haters and losers, like Tanner.
The former No. 1 quarterback recruit has thrown 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions this year. He is second in the ACC with 20 Big Time Throws and has just three Turnover Worthy Plays.
He has doubled his Big Time Throw Rate and has already eclipsed last year's total. Uiagalelei is the third-highest graded passer in the ACC.
For Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader, he has just seven Big Time Throws and eight Turnover Worthy Plays. In his entire three-year career between Syracuse and Mississippi State, Shrader has just 24 Big Time Throws, with 30 Turnover Worthy Plays.
Another huge area that DJ has stepped his game up this year is his willingness and ability to use his legs more and run the ball. He has doubled his yards per game on the ground this year, averaging 48.1 yards per game with four rushing scores.
He is one of the quarterbacks who can match Shrader's production on the ground.
Syracuse is going to look pretty good from a numbers standpoint, but look who it has played.
The Orange have faced just two teams with a winning record this season. They beat a Purdue team that outgained them by 180 yards — plus, the Orange were benefactors of like four ridiculous penalties late in the game. Then, they beat NC State's backup quarterback.
I'm not buying it.
This is a team that won just five games last season, and sure, the Orange are much improved, but they are in for a rude awakening against the Clemson buzzsaw that is on its path back to a College Football Playoff berth.
By Tanner McGrath
The Orange are for real, folks.
Shrader and offensive coordinator Robert Anae have turned Syracuse into a different animal this season. Shrader is averaging almost 10 YPA with a 12:3 TD-to-INT ratio.
He's also backed up by a much-improved offensive line and All-American running back Sean Tucker (644 yards, six TDs, 5.2 YPC).
All-in-all, Shrader leads the nation's second-best aerial attack by Success Rate. And he's one of the nation's better dual-threat options.
Garrett Shrader takes it himself??
?? takes the early lead!
pic.twitter.com/TZAwZQvhxw
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 23, 2022
The defense is a bit problematic on the line, but the Orange are superb at tackling, in coverage and at forcing Havoc. With PFF's fifth-ranked Coverage grade led by four veteran defensive backs, Syracuse is the nation's fourth-best pass defense by Success Rate.
They say pass rush and coverage go hand in hand, so the defense has been exceptional overall — especially when it matters most, considering Syracuse doesn't give up chunk plays (fourth in Explosive plays allowed) or breaks in the red zone (seventh in Finishing Drives on defense).
Clemson looks fine and has managed a 7-0 record, but Dabo Swinney's squad is still just 4-3 ATS. Plus, coach Dino Babers has covered four of the last five meetings against coach Swinney.
Clemson managed just a three-point victory against the 5-7 Orange last season. Now Mike expects it to cover two touchdowns against an opponent that has made monumental strides on both sides of the football.
I don't buy it.
Syracuse is too good to catch this many points, even against “Big Bad” Dabo.
Ianniello: The Orange are for real. They are big fat frauds, just like that stupid mascot of theirs.