FSU vs. Syracuse Prediction, Game Preview

FSU vs. Syracuse prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Seminoles and Orange on Saturday in Syracuse, NY.

FSU vs. Syracuse Game Preview

When: Saturday, Nov. 19 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
TV Broadcast: ABC/ESPN2

The Seminoles (7-3, 4-3 ACC) put together their best performance in conference play of the season last week in a home win over Boston College. Jimbo Fisher’s squad took control by scoring on its first two drives and led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter of an eventual 45-7 victory.

Meanwhile, the Orange (4-6, 2-4) managed to gain only 218 total yards in a 35-20 home loss to NC State last Saturday. Dino Babers’ squad was held to just 28 yards on the ground and 190 yards through the air playing without sophomore quarterback Eric Dungey, who was hit in the head/shoulder area during the first quarter of a 54-0 loss to Clemson the previous week.

In last year’s meeting between these teams in Tallahassee, Sean Maguire passed for 348 yards and three touchdowns while Jacques Patrick added three scores and 162 yards on the ground in a 45-21 win. Travis Rudolph had five receptions for 191 yards and three touchdowns.

What To Know About FSU

The Seminoles were getting used to playing from behind a lot in ACC play, but that finally changed last week when they jumped on Boston College from the get-go. In their previous six conference games the ‘Noles had scored first only once and had trailed by double digits in five of them. Dalvin Cook rushed for 108 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown, while Deondre Francois tied a season high with three touchdown passes in the win over the Eagles. Francois finished 16-of-24 through the air for 183 yards, but the redshirt freshman suffered a bruised shoulder late in the third quarter and did not return. Fisher told local media on Monday, though, that Francois is fine and could have returned but he wanted to get Maguire some work.

What to Know About Syracuse

Dungey, who is third in the ACC and No. 16 in the FBS in passing yards, practiced during the week leading up to the game against the Wolfpack, but he was not cleared by the team’s medical staff. Junior Zack Mahoney was 13-of-24 passing for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the start. He had just two rushing yards as well, and it was clear that the ‘Cuse offense was a shell of its former self. Babers said on Monday that he’s awaiting the results of more tests on Dungey. If Dungey is cleared to rejoin the team, Babers said it would be a coach’s decision whether he would play. It’s this scribe’s opinion, though, that he should be shut down for the rest of the year.

Advantages

Offense: FSU. The Seminoles are averaging 465.1 yards per game, and the offense really shined last week in the win over BC.

Defense: FSU. Syracuse is allowing 471.5 yards per game.

Special Teams: FSU. Syracuse kicker Cole Murphy has missed eight field goals on the year.

Coaching: FSU. Babers has made Syracuse football fun again, but Fisher has won a national title with the ‘Noles.

Intangibles: FSU. The ‘Noles put together a real nice game on both sides of the ball last week against BC.

Matchup To Watch

Brisly Estime vs. FSU kickoff coverage team

The Syracuse punt returner can be a valuable asset, especially for a team looking for any edge in its hopes for an upset. He has a big game against Notre Dame to his credit this year, so he’ll be looked upon to give the ‘Cuse offense good field position in this one.

Betting Odds

Spread: FSU -17
Over/Under: No Line (as of post)