Syracuse @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 5, 2013 ) Clemson 49, Syracuse 14

With a resurgent defense that has allowed a total of 30 points in three games this month, No. 20 Clemson hopes to suffocate Syracuse when the schools meet on the Tigers' home field Saturday evening. The Tigers gave up 35 points in a win over North Carolina in late September but since have shut down North Carolina State, Lousiville and Boston College in extending their winning streak to four games. Clemson gave up 263 total yards in last week's 17-13 victory over Boston College in which the pass defense (six yards per attempt) and run defense (3.3 yards per attempt) both performed admirably.

The Tigers led the nation in tackles for loss a season ago and are right back atop the leaderboard this year with 66, thanks in large part to Vic Beasley (eight sacks). "That whole defensive line is the best D-line overall that this team has seen in five years," said Orange offensive tackle Sean Hickey. "Easily. No one comes close." Syracuse halted a four-game losing streak last weekend by defeating Wake Forest despite the absence of starting quarterback Terrel Hunt, who continues to be sidelined with a leg fracture.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Clemson -13

ABOUT SYRACUSE (3-4, 1-2 ACC): The Orange scored two defensive touchdowns last week against the Demon Deacons, helping to make up for a quiet day for quarterback AJ Long and running back Prince-Tyson Gulley. Long threw for just 171 yards on 32 attempts, although he did add a rushing score, while Gulley was limited to 36 yards on 10 carries. Two players who stepped up for Syracuse were running back Devante McFarlane (114 yards on 10 carries) and freshman wideout Steve Ishmael (six catches, 72 yards), who led the team in receiving for the second straight week.

ABOUT CLEMSON (5-2, 4-1): The improvement of the Tigers' defense has been much-needed, as they have scored increasingly fewer points in all five of their victories (73, 50, 41, 23 and then 17 last week). With quarterback Deshaun Watson out with a broken hand, Cole Stoudt returned to the starting role last week and threw for 285 yards without a turnover. One downside for Clemson is that leading rusher Adam Choice (ACL) was lost for the season last Saturday, giving redshirt freshman Tyshon Dye a chance to make his season debut as he returns from a torn Achilles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Orange, who are playing in the state of South Carolina for the first time in school history, lost to the Tigers 49-14 at the Carrier Dome last season in the first ever meeting between the programs.

2. The Tigers' defense has forced a three-and-out on its first defensive possession in all seven games this season.

3. Clemson WR Artavis Scott has tied the school's freshman receiving record of 10 catches in each of the last two weeks.

PREDICTION: Clemson 24, Syracuse 20