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The Fizz Predicts Syracuse and Boston College

Tyler Aki (6-5): Boston College 38 Syracuse 21

This Syracuse team is REELING. Don’t get me wrong, if Eric Dungey was playing in this game, I would be picking the Orange. But I have little faith in that happening. Syracuse’s offense has looked stagnant over the past six quarters. As for the defense, SU is allowing about 330 RUSHING yards per game. Now, it gets AJ Dillon who has been dynamite for the Eagles. BC is going to run all game long on a struggling defense. If the Orange wants to win this game, it will be because of the running game, and there are no guarantees that Dontae Strickland, who has played well as of late, plays in this game. If that happens, Moe Neal will have to set the tone, it will depend on whether or not he actually gets the opportunity in the game.

David Edelstein (6-5): Boston College 35 Syracuse 24

Playing Boston College is Syracuse’s last attempt to improve its record from last year’s 4-8 season. And SU is going to have to do it on the road. If this season has shown anything about the character of this Orange team, it’s that it gets off to slow starts on the road. At NC State, Miami and FSU, Syracuse didn’t score in the first quarter. At LSU, Miami and Louisville, SU only scored 3 points in the first half. Last week at Louisville, the Orange only scored 3 points through the first three quarters and only 10 in the game. For the Orange to get this win at BC, Syracuse must score early. If SU doesn’t, there is a large possibility the Orange will again fall behind and not be able to recover. Ultimately, Boston College is the better team in this matchup, and playing Syracuse only gives the Eagles better home field advantage. And, as if a final punch is needed with one week left in the season, Eric Dungey is likely to be sidelined once again. The Eagles should get ready to fly in V-formation.

JD Raucci (7-4): Boston College 34 Syracuse 28

Over the past two weeks, the Syracuse defense has taken a gigantic step back from how we saw it function in the early part of the season. There have been gaping holes, missed tackles, blown assignments. You name it, we’ve seen it from the Orange D. I just don’t see that ending this week versus Boston College. More often known for its stout defense than a prolific offense, the Eagles have a special weapon on the offensive side of the ball in running back AJ Dillon and he could kill SU on Saturday. In four out of the last five games, the true freshman has rushed for more than 140 yards, including a pair of 200+ yard performances (272 vs. Louisville and 200 vs. UCONN). He’s got great size at 6 foot, 240 pounds and I just don’t really see anybody on the SU defense that is going to be able to slow him down, especially with how well BC’s offensive line has played this season. Because of Dillon’s production and SU’s shaky quarterback situation, I think BC pulls out a close one in the Carrier Dome.¬†

Tim Leonard (7-4): Boston College 34 Syracuse 17

The Orange just don’t have much to play for Saturday and I don’t see any reason why the defense won’t put up another disappointing performance. Everyone is talking about the Eric Dungey injury and rightfully so but don’t let that overshadow just how crippling the Jordan Martin injury has been. SU‚Äôs D has simply imploded since Martin went down for the year and I don’t see the season finale being any different. BC is going to run the football down SU‚Äôs throat and hand Syracuse another demoralizing loss to finish the season.

Jonathon Hoppe (4-2): Boston College 42 Syracuse 31 

It’s safe to say this wasn’t the end to the season that Syracuse fans imagined a month ago. At the start of the year, many saw the BC game as one of the easiest on the schedule. That is now far from the case. The bowl bound eagles are a tough opponent that has won four of their last five games, including wins against Louisville and Florida State. It’s senior day, which should give Orange fans some hope, especially if Zack Mahoney is the man under center. The most concerning thing? SU’s defense. Boston College has been putting up big numbers, and I don’t expect that to change on Saturday. I think Syracuse competes in its season finale, but it won’t be enough to pick up its fifth win of the season.¬†

The Fizz is owned, edited and operated by Damon Amendolara. D.A. is an ’01 Syracuse graduate from the Newhouse School with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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