Adam (2-0): Syracuse 38, Stanford 13
On Wednesday, I wrote that Syracuse has to dominate this game and win in a blowout. Tonight is a chance for the Orange to prove that they are a step above the rest of the ACC and are a legit contender in the conference. Stanford’s pass defense has struggled at times this season. Kyle McCord is due for another big game, especially considering the impending addition of Justus Ross-Simmons. Until Illinois-Nebraska kicks off at 8pm, this will be the only football game on. Its time for SU to prove something to the rest of the country.
Tyler (1-0): Exempt From Prediction
The biggest thing to learn from Syracuse in this game is how it comes off of a bye week under Fran Brown. That was an issue in the Dino Babers era, when the Orange were 4-9 in games with more than a week off leading up to them. SU has a chance to prove it’s rested, not rusted. That opportunity comes against a pretty bad ACC opponent in Stanford, whose passing defense has struggled so far. Kyle McCord should be licking his chops. At the end of the day, the questions isn’t about if Syracuse will win, but instead about how much it’ll win by.
Nico (2-0): Syracuse 31, Stanford 28
Both teams are coming off a bye. Stanford carries a sneaky squad from the Bay Area that Syracuse cannot look past. In no way am I comparing Stanford to Ohio, but I am sensing a similar start to the game much like week one. On the other hand, the Cardinal are coming off a demolishment over Cal Poly after barely losing to TCU at home in week one. Stanford is a team that can easily hang with Syracuse for much of the game, as it showed against TCU, but how long will the Orange tolerate that? It might be a bit of a regress for McCord in the first half, and I think this game remains close.
Dan S (1-1): Syracuse 35, Stanford 17
There should be no reason why the Orange do not come out on top in this game. Kyle McCord is on fire, his receiving core looks unstoppable, and the defense looked great against Georgia Tech. That’s not to say this will be an easy win though. Stanford is going to come hungry and ready to play. You don’t travel 2,800 miles across the country to lose. The only glaring issue heading into this game for SU is the special teams. The Orange let up a blocked punt, kick, and an onsides kick. But, if all goes according to plan, Fran Brown should have his first win against Stanford and be unbeaten in ACC play.
Alex (2-0): Syracuse 35, Stanford 17
The Orange seem to have the advantage at almost every aspect of the game. While Stanford QB Ashton Daniels has flashed some dual threat capabilities, he hasn’t even neared the arm power Kyle McCord has. The Cardinal don’t have much of a rushing game (Daniels leads the team on the ground). And Stanford’s defense is better than last year, but still gave up 34 points to a TCU team that lost to UCF last week. As long as there’s no more messy special teams, Syracuse should be well on its way to a commanding 3-0 start.
Dan P (1-1): Syracuse 38, Stanford 17
If Syracuse wants to get ranked, this is the game to do it. Expect Stanford coming from the West Coast to start out a little slow, but after that, the gameplan should be the exact same as Georgia Tech. If SU can contain the QB run, and keep performing at the same level on offense, this one could get ugly quickly. The only thing to worry about is the Orange coming off a bye week, who notoriously struggle (1-4 in the past five seasons.) The ‘Cuse get to 3-0 and sneak onto the ballot as #25 next week.
Henry (0-0): Syracuse 35, Stanford 17
Syracuse comes into the first-ever ACC matchup between the two teams with the 5th-best passing attack in the country (367.5 yards per game), and they should feast on a Stanford secondary that’s struggled to start the season. The Cardinal allowed 353 passing yards in their season-opening loss against TCU, and Kyle McCord should be able to post similar numbers, if not better, with the Orange offense clicking. High-profile transfer wide receiver, Justus Ross-Simmons, is expected to make his season debut, and he’ll add another deep threat to a Syracuse air attack that’s had no problem moving the ball downfield.
