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CLEMSON — Clemson football looks to keep its playoff chances alive with its first conference win.
Unranked Clemson (1-2, 0-1 ACC) will host Syracuse (2-1) on Sept. 20 (noon ET, ESPN) at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers entered the season as the ACC favorites and a national championship contender but are off to their worst start since 2014. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is still confident the Tigers can turn their fortunes around against Syracuse, a team that is third nationally in passing yards and helped Clemson make the ACC championship game last year.
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Here’s what to know about this Week 4 matchup as Clemson continues to search for complementary football for the third straight week.
Clemson vs Syracuse prediction
If there was ever a time for Clemson’s offense to get rolling, this is the game. The Tigers, who average 19.3 points (111th nationally), can’t lose another game or risk falling out of the playoff picture entirely.
That pressure will make Clemson’s offense have its best game of the 2025. Cade Klubnik will look sharper and exploit a Syracuse defense that struggled to stop Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar in Week 1.
Syracuse’s pass-happy offense will give Clemson’s defense trouble, but the Tigers will generate multiple turnovers to avoid a 1-3 start, which would be their worst since 2004.
Clemson vs. Syracuse scouting report
Why Clemson has an advantage: Clemson is 10-2 all-time against Syracuse, including a 5-0 record at Memorial Stadium. The Orange has committed two turnovers in every game, and the Tigers have thrived at generating takeaways at home this season, forcing five.
Syracuse has allowed 165 yards rushing a game, 104th nationally. Clemson has been better running the ball in its past two games, rushing for at least 120 yards and scoring a touchdown. The Orange has also generated only three sacks, which should bode well for Klubnik and Clemson’s offensive line.
Why Syracuse has an advantage: Orange quarterback Steve Angeli leads the country in passing yards with 1,072. Syracuse’s passing game will test Clemson’s secondary, a unit that Swinney was disappointed in after the Georgia Tech game.
Clemson vs Syracuse injury updates
Clemson: Starting wide receiver Antonio Williams, safety Khalil Barnes and offensive linemen Tristan Leigh and Elyjah Thurmon all are listed as probable for Week 4. All missed Week 3 with injuries.
Williams and Barnes are recovering from hamstring injuries that they suffered against LSU. Leigh suffered a lower-body injury against LSU, too, and Thurmon got injured in practice leading up to the Georgia Tech game.
Starting nickel cornerback Misun Kelley is out. Shelton Lewis will likely replace him.
Syracuse: Defensive lineman Dion Wilson Jr., wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons, linebackers Gary Bryant III and Derek McDonald and offensive lineman Da’Metrius Weatherspoon are all listed as probable.
Defensive backs Duce Chestnut and Devin Grant, running back Yasin Willis, wide receivers Tyshawn Russell and Emanuel Ross and offensive lineman Trevion Mack are all questionable.
Clemson vs. Syracuse score prediction
Clemson 34, Syracuse 20: This will be the game where the Tigers’ offense finally starts a game with urgency. After falling behind by two scores in two straight games, Klubnik will lead an opening-drive touchdown that will turn into an offensive barrage to help the Tigers earn their first conference win.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
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