Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Oct. 15, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI College Football Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

It’s certainly not the year most people expected from the Clemson Tigers as they try and avoid yet another disappointment against the Orange. Cuse will host the Tigers this Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Carrier Dome on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Clemson 20, Syracuse 18

Best Bets

Under

Syracuse +14.5

Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Predictions

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Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Betting Odds

For all the frustration surrounding a non-ranked Clemson team, they take on a Syracuse team dealing with its own version of heartbreak. The Tigers offense is just okay, with D.J. Uiagaleleileading an often-anemic attack. The ground game is consistent enough, at least will be against Syracuse.

But it’s been the Tigers defense that will stand out the most in upstate NY. While allowing just over 300 yards per-game, the Tigers are a tough out when it comes to scoring, just at 19.5 PPG. Their offense won’t be anywhere near good enough to blow out anyone on the road, but they will be strong enough defensively to put a stronghold on the Orange.

Garrett Shrader has been equally average for Syracuse throwing the football but like Clemson, not good enough. The difference is Cuse’s ground game is a national powerhouse, just outside the top-10 in rushing.

Sean Tucker clears the way on the ground for the Orange and should be able to physically wear down Clemson’s front. There’s something to how Cuse lost all three of their games, tight and down to the wire. They don’t quit, and wont against Clemson, despite

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Clemson is a 14.5-point road favorite at Syracuse. Clemson is 0-5 ATS this season while Cuse is 5-1 ATS this year.

The total for this game is 45.5 points. The U has covered in a combined seven games this year for both teams.

Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Betting Resources

Matchup: ACC
Date: Friday, October 15, 2021
Venue: Carrier Dome
Location: Syracuse, New York
TV-Time: ESPN - 7:00 p.m. ET

Clemson Tigers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 3-2
ATS: 0-5
O/U: 1-4
ATS - Home: 0-4
ATS - Away: 0-1

This line is simply too large for this year’s Tigers team. Their offense is awful compared to ranked teams and their defense hasn’t been lights out in their victories. They can’t cover a spread to save their season, 0-6 dating back to last year. Uiagalelei has underwhelmed and so have his receivers.

He’s just at 53.5 percent completion but only three TDs so far, add three picks to make it even worse. There’s no pathway to success in the air against Cuse, so Clemson will rely more on Kobe Pace to lead the rushing attack. Pace hasn’t been anywhere near dominant, with just 218 yards and two TDs. Once again it will be the Tigers on defense that will squeeze out another victory.

Syracuse Orange Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 3-3
ATS: 5-1
O/U: 3-3
ATS - Home: 3-1
ATS - Away: 2-0

The Orange aren’t going anywhere. This team fights right down to the wire as we’ve seen in three tight losses – two coming in their most recent games. Hard to ignore what Tucker is doing on the ground this year, as he’s amassed nearly 800 yards rushing and nine TDs. That’s going to be good enough to keep Syracuse in this football game, maybe even help give them a lead. Their defense is sharp this year, cracking the top-25 in total defense.

The Syracuse Orange have covered five of their last six games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Clemson Tigers

Record: 3-2
VI Ranking: 28
Points Scored: 106
Points Allowed: 61
PS/G: 21.2 (112th)
PA/G: 12.2 (3rd)

Inside the Stats - Syracuse Orange

Record: 3-3
VI Ranking: 67
Points Scored: 189
Points Allowed: 144
PS/G: 31.5 (52nd)
PA/G: 24 (64th)

Key Players to Watch

CLEM: D.J. Uiagalelei - QB (76/140, 793 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT)
CLEM: Justyn Ross - WR (23 catches, 231 yards, 3 TD)
SYR: Garrett Shrader - QB (49/86, 1,031 total yards, 12 Total TDs, 2 INT)
SYR: Sean Tucker - RB (133 carries, 791 yards, 9 TD)

Injuries

CLEM: Baylon Spector - LB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
CLEM: Braden Galloway - TE (Concussion-Questionable)
CLEM: Mario Goodrich - CB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
CLEM: Frank Ladson, Jr. - WR (Groin-Questionable)
CLEM: Will Putname - OL (Toe-Questionable)
CLEM: E.J. Williams - WR (Knee-Questionable)
CLEM: Justyn Ross - WR (Concussion-Probable)
CLEM: Fred Davis II - CB (Undisclosed-Doubtful)
CLEM: Will Taylor - QB (Knee-Out)
CLEM: Will Shipley - RB (Knee-Out)
CLEM: Troy Stellato - WR (Redshirt-Out)
CLEM: Brannon Spector - WR (Covid-Out)
CLEM: Bryan Bresee - DL (Knee-Out)
CLEM: Dietrick Pennington - OL (ACL-Out)
CLEM: Tyler Davis - DT (Biceps-Out)
CLEM: Tayquon Johnson - DT (Pectoral-Out)
CLEM: Lannden Zanders - S (Shoulder-Out)
SYR: Abdul Adams - RB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
SYR: Darius Tisdale - OL (Lower Body-Questionable)
SYR: Luke Benson - TE (Undisclosed-Questionable)
SYR: Ja'Had Carter - DB (Undisclosed-Questionable)
SYR: James Willis - P (Undisclosed-Questionable)

Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Betting Conclusion

Maybe a punt or kick return for a score, but that just shows how much Clemson needs in their favor just to escape with a win. The Tigers won’t lose outright, but they won’t cover this ridiculous spread either. Tucker is the reason why Cuse hangs on and covers the game.

Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Betting Trends

Clemson has failed to cover the spread in six straight games.
Syracuse has gone OVER the point total in five of its last six games when playing in October.
The point total has gone UNDER in four of the last five meetings.
Syracuse has covered the spread in three of its last four games when facing Clemson.
Clemson has won three straight games when facing Syracuse.