College Football Playoffs Shakes Up with Syracuse Win Over Clemson

The college football playoff picture turned upside down this Friday the 13th when Syracuse (4-3) stunned second-ranked Clemson, 27-24, at the Carrier Dome. The defending national champions learned how important starting quarterback Kelly Bryant was to their chances to repeat.

Bryant rolled his ankle during Clemson’s victory over Wake Forest last weekend and there was some doubt whether he was healthy enough to play. He was a shadow of himself, rushing four times for minus eight yards before he took a jarring hit from Syracuse defensive tackle Christian Slayton late in the first half. Bryant walked off the field with assistance but did not return. Clemson coach Dabo Sweeney said in a halftime interview that Bryant suffered a concussion. He plugged Zerrick Cooper into his spot, hoping for the best.

Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey was banged up himself, but threw for 278 yards and three touchdown passes and rushed for 61 yards. The Orange (4-3, 2-1) took the lead for good on Cole Murphy’s 30-yard field goal with 9:45 to play. After Clemson (6-1, 4-1), which never led, threw incomplete on a fake punt attempt from the Syracuse 41, the Orange held the ball for the final 6:10 with Dungey lunging for a first down conversion to help Syracuse run out the clock.

The loss was a crushing blow to the Tigers’ playoff chances. Clemson, which came into the game with an 11-game winning streak, was a 22.5 point favorite.