For the second time since last season, Syracuse will welcome college football’s No. 1 team to the Carrier Dome on Saturday. Last October, the Orange played host to the Florida State Seminoles, and quarterback Jameis Winston led Florida State to a 38-20 win over SU, sending the Orange to 2-4 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.
On Saturday, Syracuse (3-6, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) will take on Clemson (9-0, 6-0) inside the Dome. The Tigers are No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings. If SU were to win, it would be a monumental upset. But even in the midst of a six-game losing streak, Syracuse coaches are doing what they can to keep their players confident before Clemson comes to SU.
When asked on Wednesday’s ACC teleconference how he’s able to keep his team’s spirits up, Shafer said the Orange “stay true to the process.”
“We keep keep fighting the good fight. We keep attacking the things that we can improve upon. We listen to each other, one another, as coaches and players, and we stick with that process of controlling the things that are right in front of us and tangible things that we can improve upon each week. We stay true to our creed and that's a brotherhood of fighting our tails off for one another and the pride of the program.”
For Syracuse defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough, this isn’t the first time he’s played against a No. 1 team. In his career as a player and coach, Bullough has faced the country’s No. 1 team on four different occasions.
Bullough’s team’s went 3-1 in those games and he won both of his games against No. 1 teams during his coaching career.
“I’ve stressed to the guys that it’s possible. You just got to work and you got to go out and play as hard as you can. It is a possibility.”
When asked what the keys will be to pulling off the upset, Bullough and Shafer both pointing to the same thing -- winning the turnover battle.
“Well, I think it always visit starts with, one, taking care of the football and trying to get the ball back. The turnover ratio is going to be key,” Shafer said.
But Shafer and SU’s coaches know that beating Clemson, though possible, will be a difficult task. Led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Tigers have a potent offense -- one that ranks 22nd among all Football Subdivision Series teams.
Through nine games, Watson has thrown for 2,233 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 69.7 percent of his passes.
“He’s just a great player, and a guy that can do a lot of things,” Shafer said. “He's got a very good arm. He's got a great understanding of their offense and how to attack the different defenses they've played against this year, and he's got some great targets to throw to all around the field.”
On the other side of the ball, Clemson is even better. The Tigers rank fourth nationally in total defense. They’re led by defensive end Shaq Lawson, who has 6.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, both best on the team. As a whole, Clemson’s defensive production hasn’t been lost on SU offensive coordinator Tim Lester.
“They’re phenomenal at all levels,” he said with a smile. “It’s a credit to them. I mean, last year, I think they had seven guys that are on NFL rosters. They fly around. They’re strong. … They’re going to get up in our face and challenge us.”
Clemson and Syracuse will meet up at 3:30 p.m., and you can listen to live game action on 88.3-FM WAER.