FRANCESCO (2-0) (EXEMPT FROM PREDICTION):
This is Syracuse’s first test of the season, that’s the headline of this game. Colgate and Western Michigan were one thing. SU outscored them by a combined 113-7. This is a Big 10 opponent. Sure, Purdue isn’t Ohio State, it’s not Michigan, but it will certainly be a physical test for the Orange. To make it even harder, it’s a night game in front of a sold out Ross-Ade Stadium. This is a true turning point game for Syracuse. A win here, and expectations take a sizable leap.
ETHAN (2-0): Purdue 31, Syracuse 27
Playing in a hostile road environment is going to be too much a tick up in competition for the Orange to handle after opening the season with Colgate and Western Michigan. Hudson Card and the Purdue offense found something last week against Virginia Tech, and showed a resilience to overcome challenges on the field and off it having to sit through a lengthy weather delay last weekend. With the question marks on Oronode Gadsden’s health and the unproven nature of the rest of Syracuse’s receivers, I’m not sure if they’ll be able to put up as many points as they have the first couple of games. Also, SU’s defense is vulnerable against the run, as seen against WMU last week and Devin Mockobee had a breakout performance in the Dome last year and got his swagger back against VT last week. The Boilermakers win a tight one at home under the lights at Ross-Ade Stadium.
ADAM (2-0): Purdue 31, Syracuse 21
The atmosphere of a night game at Ross Ade Stadium will simply be too much for the Orange to handle. SU continues to hurt itself this season, starting slow and committing penalties. Now that the opponent is of a similar caliber those issues will stand out even more.
If Oronde Gadsden doesn’t play, the offense just doesn’t have enough talent to beat a Big Ten defense. A few receivers like Donovan Brown and Isaiah Jones have looked good. But they haven’t been the main focus of defenses. Now that they are, they won’t have the same success and the offense won’t be able to get it done.
LIAM (1-0): Syracuse 38, Purdue 28
I declared this game as must-win for the Orange earlier this week, and that is exactly what is going to happen. The Boilermakers’ offense simply isn’t as dynamic without Aidan O’Connell and Charlie Jones leading the way, and for as undisciplined as former Head Coach Jeff Brohm was in the Dome last year, that’s also a big loss. This has all the makings of being SU’s introduction to the national stage- the 7:30 PM slot on NBC on the road against a Big Ten team. A win or loss could send the season spiraling in either direction, and I’m confident that a full 60 minutes from Garrett Shrader and the rest of the starters for the first time this season gets the job done.
TYLER (1-0): Syracuse 37, Purdue 23
Syracuse is finally set to play a Power Five team, and it’s shaping up to be a “prove it” game for Garrett Shrader and the Orange’s receiving core. SU is tallying 375 passing yards per game, which ranks sixth in the nation. Shrader has five touchdowns through the air, as well as an impressive 69% completion rate. Despite All-ACC tight end Oronde Gadsden’s injury, three Syracuse pass catchers have over 150 receiving yards already: Isaiah Jones, Donovan Brown, and Umari Hatcher. However, these stats have come against FCS and Group of Five defenses.
The Boilermakers are built to truly test SU’s passing game. Purdue has allowed less than 70 rushing yards per contest, a top-three mark in the Big Ten. That means the Orange likely can’t force runs with LeQuint Allen. However, the Boilermakers do have the worst passing defense in their conference, giving up a whopping 323 yards per game. If Syracuse has a legitimate passing attack, then it should walk all over Purdue.
I think Shrader and his receivers have it in them. This is the week that SU’s offense shows it can perform against Power Five defenses.
