Glance at the box score and you wonder how Clemson only won by 10. Clemson nearly doubled Syracuse in yardage, first downs, and even held a comfortable lead in time of possession thanks to a long drive which ended the game. How was this game so close? Recurring themes: turnovers, defensive busts, and the lack of a killer instinct throughout the contest.
At first glance, this game was sloppy and uninspired. Was the defense as bad as it looked? Yes, and no.
First, some takes on the game overall:
The offensive staff took a lot of flak for inserting Kelly Bryant on the third series which resulted in a fumble and immediate points for Syracuse.