Syracuse football: Orange open as slim underdogs to Clemson

The Syracuse Orange have suddenly improved in their opening odds after a two-game winning streak. Syracuse hosts the Clemson Tigers in the JMA Wireless Dome this Saturday. The Orange only opened as +3.5 point underdogs according to FanDuel's opening odds . The odds have since decreased as the Orange are only +1.5 point underdogs as of Sunday evening.

The Orange are coming off a dramatic win over SMU at home this past Saturday. The Mustangs, then ranked No. 19 at the time, came back from down 10 points at half time to take their first lead of the game with nine minutes left in the game. The Orange kicked a field goal then marched 68 yards down the field on 11 plays in 3:19 to retake the lead with 17 seconds left. The Noah Meyers touchdown was just enough for the Orange to hold on for the upset victory.

Steve Angeli threw for 200 yards and the game-winning touchdown on 21-24 passing with no interceptions. He also added a 26-yard rushing touchdown. The Orange defense just barely survived, despite SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings throwing for 352 yards and two touchdowns.

The victory gives Syracuse two ACC wins on the season. The Orange had lost its previous 11 ACC games prior to last week. The win also moves Syracuse to a 4-4 record, needing just two wins for bowl eligibility.

Clemson got back into the win column with a victory at Florida State. The Tigers scored over 30 points for the first time in ACC play this season as Clemson took down the Seminoles 36-24. The game would be the last that Mike Norvell coached as the leader of Florida State, as he was fired on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers enter the JMA Wireless Dome at 5-3 on the season. Clemson lost at LSU to open the year and also got blown out by Miami. The Tigers also lost to James Franklin's Virginia Tech team in Death Valley.

Syracuse won for the third time in history against Clemson last season. Angeli threw for 245 yards and two touchdowns in the game before tearing his Achilles. Justus Ross-Simmons had two touchdown catches and Johntay Cook had 113 receiving yards as the Orange won 34-21 over the Tigers in Death Valley.

Kickoff for Saturday's marquee matchup is set for 12:00 pm ET. The game will air on ESPN2.