Syracuse (3-6, 1-4 Atlantic Coast) hosts No. 1 Clemson (9-0, 6-0) on Saturday at 3:30 in the Carrier Dome. The last time the Orange hosted a top-ranked team was against Florida State last season, which ended in a 38-20 FSU win. This time around, the Orange is reeling having lost six straight. Its bowl hopes rest in the hands of walk-on quarterback Zack Mahoney. Here is how our beat writers predict the game to unfold:

Sam Blum (6-3)
House arrest
Clemson 59, Syracuse 14

What’s that old Scott Shafer saying about locking opponents in the Dome? Well, on Saturday, it will be Syracuse that’s imprisoned in its own nightmare and not even officer Zack Mahoney can help break the Orange out.

Jesse Dougherty (6-3)
They mooore than gooood… they’re GREAT
Clemson 52, Syracuse 9

Syracuse will not be able to keep up with Clemson. Not in its own stadium, not on the road, not in its dreams. Cole Murphy accounts for all of the Orange’s offense, and it’s on to North Carolina State for New York’s College something or other.

Matt Schneidman (7-2)
What do Tigers dream of?
Clemson 48, Syracuse 13

Playing Syracuse. Clemson is the No. 1 team in the country and Syracuse isn’t. Clemson has a Heisman contender as its quarterback and Syracuse doesn’t. Clemson has allowed over 24 points once and Syracuse has allowed over 40 in four of the last five games. Have a nice day everyone.

Paul Schwedelson (8-1)
The real game is in Ithaca
Clemson 52, Syracuse 10

Syracuse will be blown out by the No. 1 team in the country, as the most exciting college football game in New York on Saturday will be the Cortaca Jug between Cortland and Ithaca. Deshaun Watson continues his push to be the nation’s best quarterback and the Orange defense allows more than 40 points for the fifth time in the last six games.

Published on November 12, 2015 at 10:12 pm