I had a chance to interview David Stone, Editor of Inside The Loud House and get his take on the Clemson vs Syracuse game. Here is his analysis.
I had the opportunity to talk to David Stone, Editor of Inside The Loud House and get his take on the Clemson vs Syracuse game. We talked about the match-up, the Syracuse program, and even where Tiger fans should check out for those making the trip up to New York this weekend. Check out the full interview here.
Q. Even though the Orange are 3-6 coming into this one, they played Virginia, Pitt, and LSU fairly close. What are some brights spots you’ve taken away from this season to build on?
Their youth. Almost 80% of the offense has come from freshman and sophomores. The defense lost 8 starters last year and 7 out of the 11 starters now are underclassmen. There is a lot of potential once they get more experience.
Q. What is the fix for Syracuse? What do you think needs to be done in order to restore the football program?
That’s a tough question. There is a lot that needs to be done. Although Shafer has gotten some quality 2-3 star recruits, if they want to compete against the bigger teams like Clemson and FSU, they are going to need to reel in some 4 and 5 star players. They also need to work on their conditioning. It seems like every first half this year they have hung with the opposition, only to get torched in the second half. Lastly, game management needs to improve. There have been several games already that were decided or at least heavily influenced by bad clock management, poor play calling, or poor execution down the stretch.
Q. Who are some players we can look for on both sides of the ball to make plays for the Orange on Saturday?
On offense it might be very tough sledding for SU. All signs point to Eric Dungey missing the game, which means that walk-on, fifth string quarterback Zack Mahoney gets the nod. He did play well against LSU however. If they are going to have a shot, Steve Ishmael is going to have to step up in the receiving game. He has the talent to be great, but tends to disappear against good coverage. Jordan Fredericks is going to need to run with authority as well.
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On defense, Ron Thompson is the main pass rusher. He’s recorded 6 sacks and 3 forced fumbles, and he is a tough guy to stop. Zaire Franklin, the MLB and team captain, is also a name to remember. He has played pretty solid all year in run support and with the pass rush. In the secondary, Antwan Cordy has been stellar all season. Although only 5’8, he’s a solid tackler with great fundamentals and a relentless motor.
Q. What’s your thoughts on Clemson long-snapper Jim Brown being a captain in reference of Syracuse’s former legend Jim Brown for this game?
I love it! I actually gained a lot of respect for Dabo Swinney in making this decision. It shows that he truly appreciates the history of Syracuse and it’s a great tribute to one of our teams greatest players of all time.
Q. A lot of Tiger fans will be making the trip up to the Carrier Dome this weekend. What would you recommend they check out around the area while up north?
If they are staying around campus, check out Marshall Street. There are lots of great bars, some awesome food joints, and plenty of entertainment spots. You can’t go wrong with Varsity Pizza. Also up near campus on Westcott Street is a little place called Beer Belly Deli. They have some of the best, most creative dishes in the city. Their Pig and Egg, which consists of ham, a fried egg, candied bacon, smoked gouda, and citrus aioli is a truly unforgettable meal experience. They also boast some excellent craft beers on tap.
If they go downtown and are in a drinking mood, I’d recommend The Blue Tusk or J Ryan’s. Both boast over 40 taps of beers from all over the world.
Q. What are the keys for Syracuse to pull off the upset and/or make it close at home?
The upset would be very difficult, but if they want to keep it close they are going to need to play four solid quarters of fundamental football. They can’t turn the ball over, and they have to grind out long, time-consuming drives. The only way they stay in the game is if they limit how much Deshaun Watson has the ball in his hands. If they can manage that, and force a couple turnovers of their own, they have a shot to hang around.
Q. Lastly, what’s your prediction for the game?
As much as I’ll be cheering for a Syracuse upset, the reality is that Clemson just has far more talent at most positions. It’s certainly not impossible for Syracuse to win, but in the end I think Clemson will be far too much for them to handle. I say they cover the spread, but Clemson ends up winning 38-21.
Next: Clemson vs Syracuse: Game Announcers, TV Info, and More
I want to thank David, once again, for taking time to answer my questions and give his insights from a Syracuse point of view. It was great getting to talk to him and Tiger fans, make sure you visit Inside The Loud House for some in-depth analysis of Syracuse football.