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College Football Week Five Takeaways: Michigan wins a grinder

By Eric Robinson

EVANSTON, IL - SEPTEMBER 29: Karan Higdon #22 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his game winning touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats with Ben Mason #42 (L) and Jon Runyan #75 at Ryan Field on September 29, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan defeated Northwestern 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - SEPTEMBER 29: Karan Higdon #22 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his game winning touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats with Ben Mason #42 (L) and Jon Runyan #75 at Ryan Field on September 29, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan defeated Northwestern 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 29: Running back Tavien Feaster #28 of the Clemson Tigers pushes for yards after contact against the Syracuse Orange during the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 29: Running back Tavien Feaster #28 of the Clemson Tigers pushes for yards after contact against the Syracuse Orange during the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Clemson escapes an upset bid

The irony of no. 4 Clemson’s win over Syracuse is heavy.

Just days after the team decided on true freshman Trevor Lawrence being the starter at quarterback and moving on from former stater Kelly Bryant, Lawrence found himself being knocked out of the game in the second quarter after taking a hit to the head.

So Clemson called on third-string quarterback Chase Brice to keep the team afloat. But things looked bleak as Syracuse took a 23-13 lead in the fourth quarter. A late 94-yard drive by Brice and the Clemson offense needed a 4th-and-6 conversion to eventually score a game-winning touchdown by running back Travis Etienne.

But for the second year in a row, the Tigers took a few blows on the chin from a scrappy Syracuse team.

There is a great amount of youth on this Clemson team but they are undeniably loaded with talent.

Going forward, Lawrence may end up being the right call for the program as he possesses the skill set to be a dangerous quarterback with experience. Remaining on the schedule for the Tigers is a game that can’t be overlooked against no. 23 North Carolina State and a road contest against Florida State.

The Tigers are capable of running the table and the tests they have encountered so far this season has displayed their mental toughness.

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