2014 was the last time Clemson was in this same situation, having lost twice early in the season. That year they ran off 6 consecutive wins before losing again and finished 10-3 overall. This season's early struggles stem from an offense that is averaging just under 325 total yards per game and 5.7 yards per completion this season.
D.J. Uigalelei was seemingly anointed coming into the season , as the next great QB in the Clemson lineage. That hasn't happened yet, his numbers have been lackluster at best. He's averaging 158 passing yards per game, with a 54% completion rate, three passing TD's, three interceptions, and has been sacked 10 times in five games.
This season, Clemson has had the misfortune of being bitten by the injury bug worse than in past years. This year seems to be one ACC foes see as their shot to get a landmark win against the ACC's recent "Bell Cow". The Tigers travel to Syracuse for a rare Friday night tilt this week. Anybody around college football will testify to the traditional struggles road teams have in games on odd days. In my mind, the bye week came at the right time for Clemson. It has provided them time to heal and to clean up some issues offensively.
Syracuse is 3-3 on the season but seems to have improved in the last few weeks. The Orange have a bad loss to Rutgers but a solid win over a 5-1 Liberty squad. They have lost on late field goals in consecutive weeks. The Syracuse offense is predicated on their run game that's averaging over 5 yards per carry.
The passing numbers between both teams are pretty similar. Clemson can expect Syracuse to get the ball to RB Sean Tucker. He has almost 800 yards rushing and just over 200 as a receiver, Tucker has 11 total TD's. Syracuse also features dual threat QB Garrett Shrader, the Charlotte native is their 2nd leading rusher with 400 yards and 8 rushing scores.
The Tigers own the all time series advantage 7-2 and one of those losses was the 1996 Gator Bowl. It's no secret Clemson has had some struggles against Syracuse in the not-so-distant pass. In 2017, Clemson was upset at Syracuse while having to play their back up QB. The following season, Clemson scratched out a hard fought 27-24 win in Death Valley. That game was probably the most vibrant memory Clemson fans have of Chase Brice. Clemson does have some recent momentum winning the last two meetings by a combined 61 points. Friday night's game is set for a 7 PM kickoff.
