Urban Meyer weighs in on Syracuse vs. Clemson, makes resolute prediction

No. 14 Syracuse and No. 5 Clemson, two of the final nine undefeated teams left in the Division I ranks, are set to do battle this weekend in a seismic ACC matchup to determine the outright leader in the Atlantic standings.

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer compared the Orange’s situation to that of Penn State‘s last week against Michigan, noting that Syracuse just isn’t there yet compared to their opponent.

“I think what happens you find out about a team like Penn State, when you do finally get up against a really good team, there are a lot of teams that are supposed to be really good teams, … but [Penn State was] completely wiped out [by Michigan],” Meyer said on a recent episode of Urban’s Take with Tim May. “I don’t know enough about Syracuse I’m not all over them, like the Big Ten schools and some other schools, but the decision will be made Saturday afternoon about what Syracuse really is.

“I think Clemson is going to handle them very easily.”

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The Nittany Lions – a top-ten team this time last week – were dismantled 41-17 by the Wolverines off the heels of a 400-yard rushing performance by the Michigan backfield. Meyer believes Clemson’s status as a College Football Playoff contender should be enough to garner a massive victory over the unproven Orange.

If Clemson can handle Syracuse with ease on Saturday, the ACC title – and an undefeated season – is the Tigers’ to fumble. With no other ranked challenges for the rest of the regular season, Clemson couldn’t be denied a spot in the playoffs if it were to win out and secure its seventh conference title in eight years after dropping the title game to Kenny Pickett and Pitt last season.

Still, Syracuse has a chance for its to secure the biggest victory of its Cinderella season against the Tigers. With the Orange already bowl-bound and off to its first 6-0 start of the 21st century, they have nothing to lose against Clemson in Death Valley.

Kickoff between the two undefeated ACC opponents is set for noon ET live on ABC. Clemson is a 13.5-point favorite as of Wednesday afternoon.