Clemson vs Syracuse predictions, can Dabo Swinney, Tigers overcome injuries?

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney admitted this week he was outcoached by Syracuse's Fran Brown in the Tigers' loss to the Orange last season.That was Swinney's first time coaching against Brown. He'll have another opportunity in their second matchup when Clemson (5-3, 3-2 ACC) plays at Syracuse (4-4, 2-4) on Nov. 7 (noon, ESPN2).The Tigers are coming off a 36-24 win over Florida State, which led to Seminoles coach Mike Norvell being fired the next day.The Orange lost their first four ACC games, but have since pulled off back-to-back upsets with a comeback overtime win over North Carolina on the road and a 30-27 win over No. 24 SMU.Here's our prediction and scouting report for the game.Clemson vs. Syracuse predictionClemson will certainly be without three offensive starters - center Harris Sewell (ankle), left guard Elyjah Thurmon (concussion) and running back Gideon Davidson (ankle) - against Syracuse. It will be more challenging to run the ball this week. Starting slot wide receiver Tyler Brown is questionable.The Tigers will need a replica of their victory against FSU. Clemson averaged just 3.7 yards per carry against the Seminoles, but they finally threw passing touchdowns when quarterback Tait Reynolds threw his first two in over a month. Reynolds was also more willing to push the ball downfield, as his average depth of target of 8.3 yards was his second-highest of the season. He'll need to do that again in Syracuse, and he may have to use tight ends Christian Bentancur and Olsen Patt-Henry more often if Brown can't play.Clemson's defense will also need to force whoever the Orange quarterback is into mistakes, as they did with FSU quarterback Ashton Daniels. Steve Angeli, who's started Syracuse's last two games but is listed as questionable this week, has recorded four turnover-worthy plays in those games, according to Pro Football Focus.Angeli is questionable for the game, but had that same designation ahead his last two games before playing in both. Angeli had some success against the Tigers last season with 245 passing yards and two touchdowns before his season-ending Achilles injury in the third quarter. Clemson's secondary is better, but its pass rush also has to have an effect. If that can happen, and if the Tigers can continue stopping the run as they did against Virginia Tech and FSU, they'll come back with a victory.More: Clemson football bowl projections from Boston to San Juan to San DiegoClemson vs. Syracuse injury reportThis was the initial injury report released on Nov. 4.ClemsonRB Gideon Davidson (out)CB Corian Gipson (out)S Polo Anderson (out)CB Shavar Young Jr. (out)LB Kobe McCloud (out)WR Cole Turner (out)RB David Eziomume (out)OL Elyjah Thurmon (out)OL Harris Sewell (out)OL Mason Wade (out)OL Braden Wilmes (out)DT Markus Strong (out)WR Tyler Brown (questionable)WR Gordon Sellars III (questionable)SyracuseWR Darien Williams (out)DB Jai Eugene Jr. (out)QB Amari Odom (out)OL Jackson Iak (out)WR Terrell Wilfong (out)QB Malachi Nelson (doubtful)QB Steve Angeli (questionable)DL Tunmise Adeleye (questionable)OL Matthew Hawn (questionable)DL Alex Haskell (questionable)OL Kahlil Stewart (probable)DL Dillan Fontus (probable)Clemson vs. Syracuse scouting reportWhere Clemson has an advantage: You may not have noticed because the Tigers lost the turnover battle in every game before defeating FSU, but they've been good at generating takeaways.Clemson ranks fourth in the ACC with 11 takeaways, which includes seven interceptions. The Tigers have done well at forcing quarterbacks into mistakes, and Angeli is another quarterback that looks ripe for the picking.Where Syracuse has an advantage: The Orange have 23 sacks and two players among the ACC's top 10 in sacks. Keyshawn Johnson has six sacks, and Tunmise Adeleye has 5.5. According to PFF, Nissi Ogbebor ranks third in the ACC with 32 quarterback pressures.Even if Adeleye can't play, Syracuse has multiple disruptors on its front seven who can overrun Clemson's battered offensive line. The Orange can, and should, be aggressive in their pass rush, and that could mean Reynolds hits the deck multiple times.Clemson vs. Syracuse score predictionClemson 27, Syracuse 21: The Tigers' defense is good enough to hold the Orange at bay long enough for their offense to figure things out. Push the ball downfield through the air, pressure Syracuse's quarterback better than you did last season and get a takeaway or two to create some distance. If Clemson can do those things, it will be 6-3.Nick Coppola covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA Today Network. Email him at ncoppola@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @Nick_Coppola__ and like his Facebook page at Nick Coppola, Clemson Sports.This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson vs Syracuse predictions, can Dabo Swinney, Tigers overcome injuries?