Gameday Guide: Clemson vs. Syracuse, TV details, key players, and more

Clemson, No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, makes a visit Saturday to upstate New York to face the Syracuse Orange.

▪ WHO: Clemson (9-0, 6-0 ACC) at Syracuse (3-6, 1-4 ACC)

▪ WHERE: Carrier Dome (49,262)

▪ WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

▪ TV: ABC/ESPN2 (Dave LaMont, Ray Bentley, Marty Smith)

▪ RADIO: WZMJ-FM 93.1 (Don Munson, Rodney Williams, Michael Palmer), Clemson Radio Network

▪ SATELLITE RADIO: Sirius 84/XM 84

▪ LINE: Clemson by 28

▪ SERIES RECORD: Clemson leads 2-1.

▪ STREAKS: Syracuse won the last meeting between the teams 41-0 in the 1996 Gator Bowl. Donovan McNabb threw for more than 300 yards in that game, often targeting Marvin Harrison. Raymond Priester, Clemson’s top receiver and rusher that year, was held to 52 yards on 17 touches.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Mostly Clemson’s undefeated record and presumptive spot as a team in control of its playoff destiny. Syracuse is not very good, especially defensively.

THREE GAME STORYLINES

1. A letdown spot for the Tigers. Clemson is coming off one of its biggest wins of the season, an emotional and emphatic snapping of Florida State’s divisional dominance. The Tigers should be able to march to the ACC title game, but these are still 18-to-22-year-olds, and overlooking a down opponent is not out of the question.

2. Stops or starts. Simply put, Syracuse is below average on both sides of the ball. They give up more than 30 points a game, rank 74th in points scored, and those are both boosted by a 47-0 win against Rhode Island. With how good Clemson is on both sides, it could be trouble.

3. Death to Clemsoning. The Tigers’ streak of wins against unranked opponents now stretches back years. The term that rankles Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has pretty much been put to bed (save for the odd, unfortunate press conference question). No. 1 teams trample downtrodden foes, and the Orange certainly qualify.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH - Clemson

1. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is here because he has to be. Unless things get weird, he shouldn’t see a snap in the fourth quarter. He’s still building a Heisman-quality resume with 2,233 passing yards, 21 scores, seven interceptions, a completion percentage of 69.7, plus 493 yards on the ground.

2. Cornerback Mackensie Alexander doesn’t have an interception this year, but that’s because opponents don’t challenge him often. Syracuse is better through the air than on the ground, and Clemson absolutely smothers opposing passing games.

3. Quarterback Kelly Bryant has seen mop-up duty in five games this season, and broke out with two touchdowns on five carries against Miami. If the game goes the way it should, the true freshman should provide a preview of what Clemson fans could see in a post-Watson world.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH - Syracuse

1. Quarterback Eric Dungey is not only the top passer for the Orange with 1,298 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, but he’s also run for 351 yards, second on the team. Remove sack yardage and he’d actually be the top ground gainer.

2. Wide receiver Steve Ishmael has blossomed this season with 30 receptions and 458 yards, both team highs. He’s also second on the team in yards per catch among receivers with at least 10 receptions and catches 68.3 percent of the passes sent his way.

3. Defensive end Ron Thompson has six sacks and 7 1/2 tackles for loss, along with forcing three fumbles. He’s part of a front the creates an understated amount of havoc on a defense so young, it only has four seniors in 22 spots on the two-deep.

ROSTERS, TEAM STATS

Roster links: Clemson | Syracuse

Team Stats: Clemson | Syracuse