Ben Boulware predicts more losses ahead in Clemson's 2023 season, raises doubts vs. Syracuse

It has been a rough start to the 2023 season for Clemson as the Tigers are 2-2 entering Saturday’s matchup at Syracuse.

Dabo Swinney is hopeful that his team can go on a run the rest of the season. However, former Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware doesn’t see a team that’s ready to run the table with the way it is playing right now.

Boulware appeared on WCCP on Thursday and predicted more losses before the season is over.

“Do I think we’re about to run the table for the rest of the year? I mean if I’m a betting man, I would say no,” Boulware said. “Unless we do something completely different, it’s about to be an 8-4, 7-5 team this year. That’s what it looks like right now.”

Boulware added that it’s possible one of those losses comes this weekend against Syracuse.

The Orange are undefeated at 4-0 entering Saturday’s game, and even though they haven’t faced the toughest competition, Boulware expects to see a confident team.

“This is going to be a tough game against Syracuse. … My senior year we went to Syracuse and I played the worst game I’ve ever played in my entire life. We prepared for a spread offense, and then we go up there and they’re running like a triple option. I begged coach [Brent] Venables to take me out of the game, because I didn’t know what was going on,” Boulware said. “But that dome – it fits three people in it, but it gets loud. It’s super small. And they’re a 4-0 team right now. So I’m not feeling too confident go up to New York right now.” 

If Clemson does lose to Syracuse, the Tigers would fall to 2-3 (0-3) and be all but eliminated from making the ACC Championship game. However, with a win, perhaps Clemson could gain some momentum and turn things around.

Boulware is hoping to see a different Clemson team this weekend, but he’s not confident he will.

“[Syracuse has] a bunch of momentum – a lot of confidence, a lot of momentum. We don’t have freakin dookie squat right now,” Boulware said. “We’re 2-2. Momentum is a thing. Confidence is a thing. And they’ve got a lot more than we do. They’ve got some freakin juice that we don’t have.”

Despite Syracuse being undefeated and playing at home, Clemson enters the matchup as a seven-point favorite. The Tigers desperately need to find a way to come out on top.