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In the opening game of the Fran Brown era, Syracuse overcame a slow offensive start and a poor defensive showing to take down Ohio 38-22. Quarterback Kyle McCord threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns as wide receiver Trebor Peña added two receiving touchdowns and one on the ground.

SU’s offensive firepower overshadowed continuous defensive mishaps as the Bobcats rushed for 255 yards. Along the way, the Orange lost linebacker Marlowe Wax, who’s expected to miss at least six weeks due to a leg injury. Following a mid-major opponent to start the season, Syracuse quickly shifts to Atlantic Coast Conference play, where it will face No. 23 Georgia Tech on Saturday

The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 to start the season, including an upset victory over then-No. 10 Florida State in the season opener. GT has been effective on the ground through its two games, averaging 207.5 rushing yards per game.

Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (1-0, 0-0 ACC) will fare in its conference opener versus No. 23 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC):

Aiden Stepansky (1-0)
Fran’s first strike
Syracuse 33, Georgia Tech 30

There’s no question Syracuse has its work cut out for them Saturday. Wax’s absence is an obvious hurdle, and GT’s potent rushing attack doesn’t bode well for SU’s defense which allowed 255 yards for Ohio.

But here’s where I think we see a different Syracuse team. Brown’s advanced recruiting will be shown through the linebacker depth provided, allowing James Heard Jr. and Anwar Sparrow to step up in a big way. Additionally, I believe SU’s poor rushing defense was partially due to first-game jitters. Everything we’ve seen from Brown and his staff throughout the offseason shows they’ll quickly demand improvements.

Syracuse wins this game in a shootout that comes down to the fourth quarter. The Orange offense, led by McCord, was impressive after a slow first quarter. 38 points in three quarters against the Bobcats is no small feat. McCord and his weapons proved to me they can score at a high level and be effective through the air.

It won’t be easy, but a home win over a ranked opponent gives Brown his biggest win yet, further proving the legitimacy of his program in year one and possibly shooting them into the top 25.

Cooper Andrews (1-0)
What can be, unburdened by what has been
Syracuse 27, Georgia Tech 26

Considering the troubles Syracuse weathered in its season-opener against Ohio, I’m surprised to be making this pick. I penciled this game in as a loss for SU before the year. But, I don’t think the Yellow Jackets are nearly as good as experts make them out to be.

Let’s start with Florida State. Georgia Tech upset the then-No. 10 Seminoles 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland, to open the season. Defeating the preseason ACC favorite right away propelled the Yellow Jackets into the national discussion — rightly so. GT followed it up with a win over Georgia State to cement its place as the No. 23 team in the latest AP Top 25 Poll.

Yet, I’m already at the point to deem the Yellow Jackets’ triumph over Florida State as not that impressive. The Seminoles have taken a major step backward. They lost a Monday night home game to Boston College 28-13. With an inaccurate and overwhelmed DJ Uiagalelei under center, FSU is already proving that it’s an average team.

Which leads me to my pick. It’s way too early to write Syracuse off against Georgia Tech. Quarterback Haynes King shines as a dual-threat, but he has plenty of limitations as a passer. I trust SU’s offense far more than I trust FSU’s, especially due to McCord’s electric debut. GT has to enter a hostile environment against the best offense it’s faced so far. The Yellow Jackets will likely gash Syracuse in the ground game. I just think McCord, Allen Jr. and Co. will outscore a relatively one-dimensional Georgia Tech side and deliver a statement win.

Justin Girshon (1-0)
Not there yet
Syracuse 20, Georgia Tech 23

Brown has a huge opportunity to cement how Syracuse can look under his leadership with a win. While I believe the program is in great hands, I think his first crack at an ACC foe will fall just short of a win.

Is GT’s win over Florida State not nearly as impressive as it was this time last week? Absolutely. Does that mean GT is being overvalued by the AP Poll? Not necessarily.

No matter how you slice it, the Yellow Jackets have one of the best rushing attacks in the ACC. Meanwhile, the Orange surrendered 255 yards to Ohio. Even worse, Wax, arguably their best and most important defensive player, won’t be playing.

I feel the Yellow Jackets will dominate time of possession due to the discrepancy in Tech’s rushing attack to Syracuse’s rush defense. The longer McCord and SU’s offense remains on the sideline, their margin for error significantly decreases. In a game that could come down to the last possession, I see GT controlling the pace just enough to escape the JMA Wireless Dome with its third straight win.

Published on September 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm