Syracuse football opens conference play Saturday against Clemson. After beginning the season 4-0, the Orange will face its toughest battle yet in the ACC opener. Clemson enters the game at just 2-2. but has lost two tough battles against ranked teams. Most recently, Clemson lost in overtime to then No. 4 Florida State on the road. Here are three things to look out for in Syracuse vs. Clemson.

Despite being 2-2 to start the season, Clemson's run defense has played strong. The team ranks second in the ACC in rushing yards against, giving up 79.0 per game.

A big test for the Orange will be establishing the run against the stout Tigers run defense. SU has run consistently through its first four games, averaging 213.3 yards per game on the ground.

Garrett Shrader and LeQuint Allen have been dynamic rushing the ball for Syracuse and are both top ten in the ACC in rushing yards. Shrader is sixth in the conference with 79.0 per game while Allen is eighth with 77.8.

With an inconsistent passing game thus far, Syracuse will need to once again rely on the rushing game to score points and drive down the field. While this will be more difficult against the Tigers, Syracuse has shown the ability to run when needed, especially in the red zone.

Shrader's dynamic two way ability has clicked at a high level, making him the leading rusher on the team, though Allen has also played a strong game. If Syracuse wants win the game and stay undefeated, they will need to run on Clemson's highly ranked running defense.

Damien Alford had a career day in Syracuse win against Army. Alford had nine receptions for 135 yards.

With Oronde Gadsden II done for the season with an injury, Syracuse needs a wide receiver to step up as the number one option. Alford, as a captain of the team and the number two receiver entering the season, was in prime position to step into that role.

The game against Army was a good building block that Alford can use to catapult himself into the undisputed number one option.

Alford will face a Clemson defense that allows 183.8 passing yards per game. Against Florida State, the Tigers allowed star wide receiver Johnny Wilson to have five receptions for 94 yards.

Alford will look to do the same against the Tigers on Saturday. He's totaled 247 yards, 17 receptions, and one touchdown. He will need to find the end zone at a better rate for Syracuse to beat Clemson.

At a certain point in the contest, SU's offense will be forced to throw the ball in the red zone. If the Orange can find the end zone through the air, they have a great chance of winning.

In 2022, Cade Klubnik entered the game against Syracuse in the second half. Clemson took out DJ Uiagalelei and Klubnik thrived. The five-star freshman led two touchdown drives in a row to get Clemson past Syracuse and hand SU its first loss of the season.

Now, in 2023, Klubnik will lead Syracuse into the JMA Wireless Dome to take on an undefeated Syracuse team once again. Although Clemson is .500 in its first four games, Klubnik has played well.

He has completed 66.2 percent of his passes and thrown nine touchdowns to just two interceptions. Klubnik will be facing a Syracuse team that has not given up more than 20 points in its first four games.

Klubnik will be looking to get his team back in the win column against Syracuse. The sophomore will be looking to spoil Syracuse's undefeated streak once again.

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