Clemson Football: Early Opponent Analysis vs. Syracuse Orange

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 29: Center Gage Cervenka #59 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after a Syracuse Orange touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter of the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 29: Center Gage Cervenka #59 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after a Syracuse Orange touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter of the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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The 2019 Clemson football season is less than three months from kickoff. Here’s our early opponent breakdown of the Syracuse Orange.

The clock is ticking.

The 2019 Clemson football season is less than three months away from kicking off. The Tigers will be opening up the season with a home game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on a Thursday night in Death Valley.

Following that ACC matchup, Clemson will take on the Texas A&M Aggies at 3:30 p.m. the next Saturday. After the two home tilts, the Tigers will take to the road for the first time when they play the Syracuse Orange up in the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse has designated the matchup as their Homecoming and it’s clear that the Orange will be pulling out all the stops to try and pull off the upset.

Here’s our early opponent analysis and breakdown of the Syracuse Orange.

Early Opponent Analysis:

Syracuse is the biggest threat to Clemson and the ACC Atlantic Division. The Orange will have to replace Eric Dungey- one of the top QBs of all-time in Syracuse history- but Tommy DeVito looked solid in his time at quarterback last season.

The Orange also return Moe Neal and Abdul Adams at running back, but will have to replace both starters at offensive tackle from last season.

Defensively, both Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman return after having double-digit sack seasons a year ago. They’ve also got plenty of returning experience in the secondary, led by safety Andre Cisco who was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year last season.

Dino Babers is doing a great job up in Syracuse building the program and it’s clear that the Orange are set to take another step forward this season.

Next. Vegas odds vs. GT are high. dark

Early Game Breakdown:

Though Syracuse brings back talent and experience in some areas, the Orange just don’t have the talent that Clemson possesses. With the games being close- and the Tigers losing the last time these two teams played in the Carrier Dome- I think Clemson will place added focus and emphasis on this game.

That could spell trouble for the Orange.