Syracuse heads to Raleigh on Saturday with the same simple mission NC State has: get one win closer to bowl eligibility. Both teams enter at 4-5, and the Orange will kick off against the Wolfpack at Noon on ACC Network.
There’s also a little extra drama hanging over the matchup. NC State is close to finalizing the deal to make Philip Rivers their next Head Coach, which raises the question of whether Syracuse can walk into Raleigh and spoil the mood.
The biggest thing to watch is whether the Orange can get their ground game moving. NC State just allowed 238 rushing yards to Duke, and Syracuse’s passing attack had its own issues against Clemson, so this feels like a spot where the Orange may lean hard on Ahmad Miller and Tylik Hill. With the Wolfpack expected to be without two of their top three tacklers, Syracuse has a chance to dictate tempo and force NC State to commit to stopping the run.
That could also create more room for Hatcher and Russell on the outside and make the defense adjust to what Syracuse is doing.
The larger concern for the Orange is that they can’t keep getting in their own way. The defense did enough against Clemson, even if that offense wasn’t exactly a juggernaut, and it put Syracuse in position to win.
But the offense couldn’t finish the job. Steve Angeli’s performance needs to be a little better, and while he wasn’t the only issue, the two turnovers were costly.
Syracuse also managed just 3.5 yards per rush against Clemson, so a bounce-back on the ground would go a long way here. Against a shaky NC State defense, that should matter. The Orange just have to make sure they don’t waste the opportunity again.
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Syracuse Just Got A Strong Sign About Fran Browns Future
Fran Browns future at Syracuse got a public vote of confidence from athletic director Bryan Blair, who said he expects the football coach to remain in place through the 2027 season. Brown is in his third year with the Orange and has brought the program to a 17-17 record while navigating injuries and a young roster, with Syracuse generally tracking close to preseason expectations.
Blairs comments matter because they suggest the university sees Browns method as more than a short-term fix. He praised the way Brown has gone about building the program and said the school will review things after the season, but for now the message is clear enough: Syracuse appears inclined to give its coach time to keep pushing the rebuild forward. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger issue for Syracuse is the math attached to the final stretch. Both teams still need wins down the stretch to stay on track for a postseason bowl, and the Orange are already dealing with several players listed out before they even get to Raleigh. In a game like this, the margin for error is thin, and Syracuse has to find a way to handle a changing opponent while protecting its own depth. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Heads To NC State With Bowl Hopes Suddenly On The Line
Syracuse heads to Raleigh on Saturday with its bowl picture suddenly tightened, and the Orange know exactly what is at stake. A noon ET kickoff against NC State offers a chance to steady a season that still has a path forward, but only if Syracuse can start stacking wins in the final stretch. Steve Angeli will get the start at quarterback as the Orange try to keep their postseason hopes alive.
NC State added an extra layer of intrigue this week by announcing Phillip Rivers as its future head football coach, though he will not be on the sideline for this game. For Syracuse, the immediate focus is simpler and more urgent: win two of the final three and bowl eligibility is there. Saturdays matchup gives the Orange a direct shot at keeping that goal in reach, with little margin left to spare. [Read more 🡒]