Adam (3-2): Syracuse 38, NC State 24
I said last week that it was a must-win game for Syracuse. I think that this week is the same for the Orange. SU needs to prove that it’s legitimately at/near the top tier of the ACC. NC State isn’t what it looked like at the start of the year. Grayson McCall’s injury destroyed the Wolfpack’s hope of doing anything this year. Now they have a true freshman at QB with an awful defense. If the ‘Cuse don’t dominate this game then there will be an issue. No special teams mistakes, no interceptions, this is the time for SU to step up and show that it’s a legit team.
Tyler (2-0): EXEMPT FROM PREDICTION
This was supposed to be one of the premier games of the season for Syracuse, but now, it feels like a must-win leading into a tough stretch of road games that includes… Pitt and Boston College? Yeah, it’s been a weird year in the ACC.
The deciding factor of this game will be turnovers. NC State does a solid job of forcing mistakes: 6 interceptions and 5 fumbles. McCord needs to be smart with the football, and avoid extending his pick streak to four games. As long as the Orange play cleanly, it should be smooth sailing.
Nico (4-14): Syracuse 34, NC State 14
For me, a must-win game is very rare (especially for Syracuse football). They have to come at the right time, and can’t be combined with trap games, such as Stanford. This Saturday, Syracuse “must win” against NC State. The Wolfpack have allowed 30+ points in three of their last five games. Plus, the Orange offense is coming off an all-time high in Vegas. Keep the good times rolling for SU, and show it can put a statement on one of the worst teams in the ACC. And, for God’s sake, can the real special teams please standup?
Dan S (2-3): Syracuse 28, NC State 17
This is going to be a gritty game. The Wolfpack are already down to backup quarterback CJ Bailey, after Grayson McCall left last game after taking a big hit. Bailey stepped up for NC State, going 28-42 throwing for 272 yards and two touchdowns, so it’s not as if the Orange are facing nobody. On Syracuse’s side, injuries have also hit the squad. Head Coach Fran Brown announced last night that running back Will Nixon is out for the year. On top of that, this morning Brown also made it public that defensive lineman Dion “Tank” Wilson and Kevin Jobity Jr. are likely done for the season. Defensive back Berry Buxton is also likely to be out for Saturday’s game. All of these injuries on both sides lead me to feel that while this game won’t be pretty, Syracuse still has enough offensively to carry itself to the finish line and stay perfect on the road.
Alex (4-1): Syracuse 39, NC State 25
A few weeks ago, a two-touchdown win for the Orange would seem like a stretch. But the tides have changed. After a bump against Stanford, Syracuse proved last week that it can win games with its offense. NC State meanwhile is last in the ACC and is now down to its backup freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, who is 1-1 and got blown out by Clemson. The two big question are special teams and ball security. For everyone’s sanity, SU needs to clean up its on punts and kicks. And if Kyle McCord can keep his pick number to 0, SU should pick up a key ACC win.
Dan P (2-3): Syracuse 35, NC State 24
This game had so much hype around it when the schedule was released. What could’ve been a prime time matchup between two undefeated ACC teams has now become an interesting Syracuse team vs NC State with a backup quarterback. That being said, this game probably will still be interesting. Special teams needs to be better, and if McCord and Allen continue to connect, there’s no telling what that duo could do. Give me the Orange to prove themselves once again.
Henry (2-1): Syracuse 35, NC State 20
All the signs point to a Syracuse win on the road at NC State, which is unusual for the Orange considering their all-time 3-13 record against the Wolfpack. That’s mostly because Syracuse has been unstoppable on offense thanks to the excellent play of quarterback Kyle McCord, who has the Orange third in the country in passing yards with 369 per game. NC State has been poor on defense all season, and McCord will have no problem dicing up the Wolfpack secondary. NC State’s true freshman CJ Bailey will have a tough time keeping his team in the game if it turns into a shootout, and Syracuse should keep its longtime rivals at the bottom of the ACC.
