Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse head coach Fran Brown dropped the formality on Monday when discussing the Clemson defensive line that the Orange will face this Saturday, a group that features two projected NFL first-round draft picks.
In ESPN’s most recent listing of NFL Draft prospects both Peter Woods and T.J, Parker were ranked among the top four prospects in the country by the television network’s brain-trust of Matt Miller, Stephen Muench and Jordan Reid.
“They f---in’ nice,” Brown said. “Number 11 (Woods), Number 19 (DeMonte Capehart). Especially 11. I like 11 a lot. They good. They really good.
“The offensive line will compete their butts off but they nice. ... I like their front seven a lot. Probably one of the better front sevens in the country. It’s going to be a good test for us to see where we are. You watch them on tape and you’re like, ‘Damn, they legit.’ We’re excited to play them.”
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, cornerback Avieon Terrell, wide receiver Antonio Williams and safety Khalil Barnes were also ranked among the top five prospects at their respective positions by at least one of the three ESPN analysts. Syracuse does not have a player ranked on those lists.
Those rankings were published last week, before Clemson fell to 1-2 with a loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
The Tigers started the season considered one of the teams most likely to win the national championship but have struggled behind an inconsistent offense. The Tigers haven’t scored more than 27 points in a game this year.
The Clemson defense, however, has mostly held up its end of things. No opponent has scored more than 24 points.
That defense, and the fact that Clemson’s losses have come against LSU and Georgia Tech, considered two quality opponents, are part of the reason that Syracuse is a 17.5-point underdog at most sports betting websites to start the week.
Brown was unfazed by the number and said he won’t lean on it to motivate his team.
“I don’t care about what they say. Vegas said that Canelo (Alvarez) was about to win,” Brown said, referencing a high-profile boxing match with Terence Crawford over the weekend. “I don’t pay attention to that. I’m not allowed to gamble. ... That’s cool. I like being an underdog. I’ve been an underdog my whole life, right?”
The Orange has not won in five visits to Clemson. Syracuse has also struggled to protect quarterback Steve Angeli so far this season, surrendering nine sacks against a three-team combination of Tennessee, UConn and Colgate. Syracuse’s defense has recorded just three of its own.
“We want more sacks,” Brown said. “Of course we do. I just really want to win. If winning means you can’t have a lot of sacks then maybe keep the sacks. We’ll take the Ws.”
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