John (1-0): Rutgers 31, Syracuse 20
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 61-point outing against Temple which is mighty impressive. Syracuse on the other hand a nice showing on the defensive side allowing just 9 points against Ohio. At the end of the day, the front 7 from RU proves much more stingy than the Bobcats’ and is able to contain Sean Tucker. Additionally, Tommy DeVito does get the passing game going a bit hooking up with Taj Harris but it’s just not enough to punch the ball in the end zone. I think SU struggles to convert in the red zone and that will be the difference-maker in this game.
The Dome should be rocking with fans back for the first time in 650 days and the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The environment will be wild and the 12th man will carry the Orange in the fourth quarter. It will be then that the Scarlet Knights ultimately pull away and cover en route to its eighth win in the last eleven tries against the ‘Cuse.
Ian (1-0): Rutgers 28, Syracuse 27
Neither of these teams has really been tested. It seems like Ohio was vastly overrated; Rutgers played Temple, the worst team in the AAC, in week one. The Scarlet Knights are similar to Syracuse in that they go extremely fast, rely on their rushing attack and have one really dangerous playmaker on the outside. Rutgers did play against a 3-3-5 in week one, but not with the level of Syracuse’s talent. Unfortunately, I have to give RU the edge because I trust Noah Vedral, their QB, more than I trust Tommy DeVito
Cam (1-0): Rutgers 35, Syracuse 30
This weekend’s home opener is going to be a shootout. Rutgers enters the contest fresh off a 47 point drubbing of Temple, while Syracuse left plenty of points on the field and still managed a near 30.
The idea that each offense will shine is uncanny with these two squads, but that’s why this is a prediction. Many might point to the Scarlet Knights aggressive defensive approach, or maybe the emergence of SU’s Duce Chestnut and the Orange keping Ohio out of the endzone, but those same people are forgetting about history and circumstance. These two teams haven’t played each other in a decade, and fans packing the loud house is a first in 651 days.
The energy will be at an all-time high, which changes the dynamic of this former rivalry. Tape can only do enough, but the lack of familiarity in this non-conference matchup will make the difference in making this an offense-heavy game. Ultimately, Syracuse will keep it close but again, leave points on the field and welcome fans back with a loss.
Matt (1-0): Rutgers 27, Syracuse 17
Don’t get me wrong, the week 1 win was nice, but don’t let this team fool you. There are still issues, still holes, still plenty of reasons they’ll lose to Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are a real opponent. One that scored 61 points just a week ago. Sure they played Temple, but 60+ points is a feat no matter when or where they’re scored. Look for QB Noah Vedral to be a huge issue for SU. He can pass the ball well and get the job done on the ground. This one will come down to the Orange rush defense. If they can stop the wide-sread ground attack Rutgers offers, they’ll have a good shot to win, if not, look for SU to be 1-1 going into the Albany game.
Carter (1-0): Rutgers 28, Syracuse 27
For all the gripes cast against these two programs in recent years, this week’s meeting between Syracuse and Rutgers is an interesting one. Both teams won their openers perhaps less convincingly than the score would indicate: SU threw for just 100 yards and had red-zone troubles against Ohio, while the Scarlet Knights hung 61 points on Temple last week despite not having a 200-yard passer or 100-yard rusher or receiver. Both squads are destined to come down to earth a little this week, and I believe Syracuse is the team with more room to regress. RU should absolutely be more prepared for Sean Tucker than Ohio was, and they have a week’s worth of film on true freshman CB Duce Chestnut, whose sparkling career debut against the Bobcats drew rave reviews. Beyond those two, nobody really jumped out during SU’s performance on Saturday. Rutgers is riding high and showed they could play with Big 10 competition last year. For those reasons, I think RU puts together a solid outing in the Dome this weekend with a final score that ends up closer than the game itself.
Jaron (0-1): Rutgers 34, Syracuse 24
I want to believe in this team, I really do, but I still can‚Äôt find it in my heart to pick Syracuse. Sure, the Orange just beat Ohio by 20, but the Bobcats looked horrid. The Orange played well and were better than last season, but the MAC is much different from the ACC or the Big 10. Rutgers is coming off a 61-point performance that included five takeaways from the Scarlet Knights‚Äô defense. I‚Äôm expecting RU‚Äôs D to get much more pressure on Tommy DeVito and its O to finish drives, unlike Ohio. Maybe I need to hop aboard the Cuse train, but I still think it’s too early, so give me Rutgers in a high scoring affair. With that being said, I haven‚Äôt been right on a Fizz or any type of prediction in a while, so it might be smart to fade me.
Brad (0-1): Rutgers 27, Syracuse 23
The defense should keep the Orange in this game. Rutgers flexed for 61 points last week against a feeble Temple team, and Tony White will have fun sending his defensive backs to make a play at the line of scrimmage for a run heavy Scarlet Knight offense. The real question is whether or not the Orange can establish the run again like they did against Ohio. If Sean Tucker replicates his performance with the offensive line as the aggressors, then SU is in a good spot. But there’s a big difference between a MAC defensive front and a Big 10 defensive front.
