Syracuse football’s game with Boston College today seems like a must-win. SU is hot off of a bowl-eligibility-clinching win against Virginia Tech. The Eagles meanwhile are on a three-game skid, and the sky seems to be falling in after a streaky start to the year.
All that said, momentum is on the Orange’s side. Now they have to match it on the field. Here are three keys for SU to do that:
Stop those turnovers!
If Boston College is good at one thing, it’s taking the ball. The Eagles have 16 takeaways this year, good for top 20 in FBS.
And ball control hasn’t been the friendliest to the Orange. SU has coughed up the pigskin 13 times this year. But SU is trending in the right direction. After five interceptions thrown against Pitt, the Orange only had two turnovers last week against Virginia Tech.
Moving that number down even more will heavily help the Orange tomorrow.
Keep the running game going
All season long, Syracuse has been a pass-first, run-last type of team. Until last week. For the first time, Kyle McCord didn’t throw for 300 yards, but LeQuint Allen had his first 100-yard rushing game of the year.
That balance ended up being key for the Orange. Allen’s three touchdowns were the difference maker, including the tying and go-ahead score.
SU has plenty of targets to throw to. But the Eagles are giving up 140 rushing yards a game. If you let Allen get close to that number, SU should win this game.
Good job, o-line
The offensive line hasn’t been great for SU this year. But against Virginia Tech, Syracuse’s o-line held its own for one of the first times all season.
McCord only got sacked once against a talented front seven and looked more comfortable with the time that he was given in the pocket.
If the o-line can keep that going against BC, a comfortable Kyle McCord is hard to beat in any game.
