No. 12 Syracuse (8-2, 6-2 Atlantic Coast) plays No. 3 Notre Dame (10-0) at Yankee Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The Orange enter the game riding a four-game win streak, most recently defeating Louisville 54-23. The Irish are coming off a 42-13 victory against Florida State. Saturday’s Shamrock Series game is a home game for Notre Dame, which chose the neutral site — it will be Syracuse’s first Top 15 matchup in 21 years.

Here’s what to know before Saturday’s matchup.

All-time series: Notre Dame leads, 5-3

Last time they played: In 2016, Syracuse fell to Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium 50-33. Syracuse and Notre Dame combined for 36 points (the Irish led 23-13) in the first five minutes. Behind 17 unanswered points through the third and fourth quarter, the Irish pulled away marking the end to Syracuse’s 0-4 run in the MetLife series. DeShone Kizer threw for 471 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while Eric Dungey completed 31-of-51 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns.

The Notre Dame report: Notre Dame enters Saturday’s game with wins over three Top-25 opponents spanning two starting quarterbacks. In Week 1 against Michigan, senior quarterback Brandon Wimbush started at quarterback completing 12-22 throws for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Junior Ian Book started for the first time three games later against Wake Forest. In six games starting under center Book threw for 1,811 yards while completing 14 touchdowns.

After Book injured his ribs against Northwestern he sat against Florida State. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said after the Florida State win he expects Book to be back for the game against SU.

On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame boasts one of the nation’s strongest units, head manned by defensive coordinator Clark Lea, a former SU assistant under Scott Shafer. The Irish defense ranks 15th nationally in points per game, allowing 18.7 points per game.

How Syracuse beats Notre Dame: In Syracuse’s upsets over Virginia Tech in 2016 and Clemson in 2017, the Orange had similar formulas. Fast starts, chunk yard gains, and winning the turnover battle. In both games Syracuse’s defense played beyond the level it had throughout the season.

This year’s Orange team is different, but similar things will still need to happen. Head coach Dino Babers has said in the past that in order to win on the road, his team needs to dominate the run game, on both sides of the ball, and win the turnover battle. Headed into Saturday’s matchup, Syracuse ranks tied for fourth in the country in turnover margin. Notre Dame is tied for 49th. On paper, Notre Dame’s rushing attack (42nd) outmatches Syracuse’s run defense (70th). While The Orange’s rush offense (27th) ranks higher than Notre Dame’s rush defense (41st). Babers said earlier this week that he expects Notre Dame to attack his group of linebackers, none of whom started a year ago. If Syracuse wins that battle, it’ll be on it’s way to a victory.

Babers’ described his teams matchup with Notre Dame as a “freebie,” referencing Syracuse’s 4-0 start following the bye week and the Irish not being a nonconference opponent. Saturday’s game will hold serious implications in Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff hunt. The pressure will be on the undefeated, while Syracuse, according to its coach, is gambling with house money.

Player to watch: Te’von Coney, linebacker, No. 4

Coney leads the Irish with 87 tackles, 8.5 of which were for a loss. A senior leader on the Irish’s defense, Coney will play a major role in how well Notre Dame’s defense can counteract Syracuse’s top 10 offensive unit. In two of Notre Dame’s closest games of the year, against Michigan and Ball State, Coney registered 10 and 14 tackles respectively. A defense often functions off how its linebackers play in the middle of the field so if Dungey and Syracuse’s offense stall, keep an eye on Coney.

Published on November 15, 2018 at 3:44 pm

Contact Josh: jlschafe@syr.edu | @Schafer_44