Clemson football plays Syracuse today: Kick time, TV channel, injury report, score
Clemson football is back at home for an ACC game after a 1-2 start to the season.
Here’s your gameday guide for the Tigers’ clash with conference opponent Syracuse.
Clemson vs. Syracuse game, TV info
- Who: Clemson (1-2, 0-1 ACC) vs. Syracuse (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
- When: noon Saturday
- Where: Memorial Stadium in Clemson
- TV: ESPN
- Broadcast crew: Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick, Kris Budden
- Stream: Via ESPN or the ESPN app
- Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area (see all Clemson radio affiliates here)
- Satellite radio: SiriusXM Channel 84
- Series history: Clemson leads 10-2 and has won the last six meetings
Clemson vs. Syracuse Vegas odds
Clemson is favored by 17.5 points against Syracuse, according to the VegasInsider.com consensus betting line. The Tigers have been favored in every game this season, and this is their second-largest point spread of the season (-30.5 points vs. Troy).
Worth noting: Clemson is 0-3 against the spread this season.
Weather forecast for Clemson, SC
Clemson will see a mix of clouds and sunshine with a high of 84 degrees, according to the Weather.com 10-day forecast. “A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible,” per the website.
Top storylines for the game
- In accordance with ACC policy for conference games, Clemson released its first availability report for the Syracuse game on Thursday night. The Tigers listed starting WR Antonio Williams, SS Khalil Barnes, LT Tristan Leigh and RG Elyjah Thurmon as probable, defined as “likely to play; greater than 50% chance.” All four guys remained probable as of Friday. Last week, all four of those players were listed as questionable Thursday and ruled out Friday. Clemson’s only new injury was to starting nickelback Misun “Tink” Kelley, who was ruled out.
- Coach Dabo Swinney said this week the Tigers need to be a “desperate team” on Saturday and have “no room for error” going forward in ACC play. With two regular-season losses already, Clemson’s College Football Playoff chances are poor: The Athletic gives Clemson a 12% chance to make the 12-team field, and ESPN is even harsher at 4.4%. The Tigers’ best shot now revolves around making (and winning) the ACC championship game. But at 0-1 in the ACC, they don’t control their own destiny and need other teams to lose. A second loss in conference play — to Syracuse or anyone else — would essentially be a season-ender.
- Transfer to Syracuse, become the nation’s leading passer. That formula worked for former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord. So far, it’s also worked for former Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli. Entering this weekend, Angeli leads the country in passing yards (1,072) and passing yards per game (357.3). It’s worth noting Angeli’s production hasn’t come against the best schedule. Syracuse’s last two wins are against UConn (in overtime) and FCS Colgate. But Angeli did have 274 yards, a touchdown and an interception vs. Tennessee in Week 1.
- Clemson and Syracuse used to play annually as ACC Atlantic Division rivals. The Tigers have won 10 of 11 games against Syracuse since the Orange joined the ACC and have never lost to Syracuse at home (5-0). But Syracuse has traditionally been a pesky opponent — four of the teams’ last seven meetings have been decided by one possession. That includes Syracuse’s upset of No. 2 Clemson in 2017. Coach Fran Brown’s team has a recent history of upsets, too. The only reason Clemson made the 2024 ACC title game (and CFP) is because the Orange rallied from a 21-0 deficit to knock off No. 6 Miami in their season finale.
Clemson vs. Syracuse players to watch
Clemson WR Bryant Wesco Jr.: Wesco has been Clemson’s best receiver with Antonio Williams injured and is the first Tiger with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since Cornell Powell in 2020. His 310 receiving yards are No. 2 in the ACC.
Clemson CB Ashton Hampton: Hampton has endured a bit of a sophomore slump, and Swinney has publicly challenged him and the rest of the team’s cornerbacks to improve after being “soft on the perimeter” through three weeks.
Syracuse TE Dan Villari: Leads the team with 16 catches and is Syracuse’s second leading receiver (as well as the nation’s No. 2 leading receiver among tight ends) with 199 yards.
Syracuse CB Demetres Samuel Jr.: Samuel, 17, is the second youngest player in college football and only the fifth true freshman DB to start a season opener for Syracuse since 1985.
Clemson 2025 football schedule
Listed with known kickoff times and TV channels
Aug. 30: vs. No. 9 LSU, L 17-10
Sept. 6: vs. Troy, W 27-16
Sept. 13: at Georgia Tech, L 24-21
Sept. 20: vs. Syracuse, noon (ESPN)
Sept. 28: OFF WEEK
Oct. 4: at UNC
Oct. 11: at Boston College
Oct. 18: vs. SMU
Oct. 25: OFF WEEK
Nov. 1: vs. Duke
Nov. 8: vs. No. 7 Florida State
Nov. 14: at Louisville/Friday game, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Nov. 22: vs. Furman
Nov. 29: at South Carolina, noon (ESPN or ABC)
Clemson 2025 football depth chart
As of Sept. 15
Offense
QB: Cade Klubnik (Christopher Vizzina)
RB: Adam Randall (David Eziomume)
Outside WR: T.J. Moore (Tristan Smith)
Outside WR: Bryant Wesco Jr. (Cole Turner)
Slot WR: Antonio Williams (Tyler Brown)
TE: Olsen Patt-Henry (Josh Sapp OR Christian Bentancur)
LT: Tristan Leigh (Brayden Jacobs)
LG: Collin Sadler OR Harris Sewell
C: Ryan Linthicum (Harris Sewell)
RG: Walker Parks OR Elyjah Thurmon (Mason Wade)
RT: Blake Miller (Mason Wade)
Defense
DE: Will Heldt OR Jaheim Lawson
DT: DeMonte Capehart OR Stephiylan Green (Amare Adams)
DT: Peter Woods OR Stephiylan Green (Vic Burley)
DE: T.J. Parker (Cade Denhoff)
MLB: Sammy Brown (Jeremiah Alexander OR Dee Crayton)
WLB: Wade Woodaz (Kobe McCloud OR Dee Crayton)
CB: Avieon Terrell (Branden Strozier)
Tiger (nickel): Misun Kelley (Shelton Lewis)
Rover (SS): Khalil Barnes OR Ronan Hanafin (Tyler Venables)
FS: Ricardo Jones (Kylon Griffin)
CB: Ashton Hampton OR Jeadyn Lukus (Corian Gipson)
Special teams
PK: Nolan Hauser (Robert Gunn III)
P: Jack Smith (Robert Gunn III OR Will McCune)
KO: Robert Gunn III
LS (PK): Holden Caspersen
LS (P): Philip Florenzo
H: Clay Swinney
PR: Antonio Williams (Bryant Wesco Jr.)
KOR: Adam Randall
This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 8:00 AM.
