Louisville vs. Syracuse Prediction, Game Preview

Now that the Louisville Cardinals (4-4) have climbed back to .500 mark, they want to get over it at the expense of the Syracuse Orange (3-5). Check out the Louisville vs. Syracuse prediction and game preview.

Louisville vs. Syracuse Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 12:30 ET
Network: ACC Network

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Why You Need To Care

Ever since Louisville began the year 0-3, and Syracuse 3-0, the Atlantic Division programs have gone in separate directions. The Cardinals have clawed back to even with consecutive nail-biting victories over Boston College and Wake Forest. And if they can win two of their final four games, they’ll be a part of the postseason. The Orange, on the other hand, has dropped five in a row to further damage third-year head coach Scott Shafer’s job security.

Why Syracuse Will Win

The way Louisville is sputtering on offense, emerging QB Eric Dungey alone might be able to outscore the Cards. Louisville has not scored more than 21 points in any of its last five games with FBS opponents. The running game lacks consistency and rookie QB Lamar Jackson is still making too many mistakes through the air. The Cards barely escaped Wake Forest last week, 20-19, producing just one touchdown and two field goals in five red-zone trips.

Why Louisville Will Win

The Cardinals are playing better defensively. Louisville boasts one of the top defenses in the ACC, which will cause problems for Dungey and the one-dimensional Syracuse attack. The front generates a ton of pressure from the likes of linemen DeAngelo Brown and Sheldon Rankins and linebackers Trevon Young, Devonte Fields, Keith Kelsey and James Burgess. And with the Cards winning the line of scrimmage, Dungey still lacks the arm talent and receivers to make a difference over the top.

Player Who Matters

In Young, the Cardinals mined a gem from Iowa Western Community College that’s only begun to scratch the surface of his sizable potential. The 6-5, 237-pound junior has always possessed the get-off of an elite pass rusher. But he’s now combining that natural ability with improved technique, resulting in 8.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in just the last three games. Young is a perfect fit for the 3-4 Louisville D.

What’s Going To Happen?

Two schools heading in opposite directions will remain on disparate paths. While Louisville can see the postseason up ahead, Syracuse has yet to win on the road and is playing as if the end of the regular season is near. The Cardinals will once again survive with defense, offsetting the inefficiencies of its own offense.