30 most memorable college football games of 2017

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban speaks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The Alabama Crimson Tide won the game in overtime 26-23. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – OCTOBER 13: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers carries the ball for a touchdown during the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on October 13, 2017 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats Clemson 27-24. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

23. Syracuse vs. Clemson

Date: Oct.13
Outcome: Syracuse wins 27-24

It seems like the Clemson Tigers cannot get out of a regular season without a major upset loss at some point. In 2017, that upset loss came at the hands of the Syracuse Orange. There was a time that Syracuse head coach Dino Barbers was one of the hottest names in the nation.

However, Syracuse did not finish out the year on a positive note. In fact, they weren’t even bowl-eligible at the conclusion of the regular season. But, that does not take away from the significance of this victory the Orange notched at the Carrier Dome in the middle of October.

Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant went down with an injury in the second half, leading to backup quarterback Zerrick Cooper getting 14 passing attempts. Cooper did not turn the ball over, but he also was not enough for Clemson to avoid the collapse.

Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey was the most valuable player for the Orange, with his nearly 300 passing yards and three touchdowns. Dungey did not have another game like this in 2017, or really at any other time in his college career. Clemson did respond to this loss, winning the ACC again and making the Playoff.

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