Syracuse gets Louisville in the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and the mood around the pick sheet is pretty clear: the panel doesn’t see much of a path for the Orange.
Brent Axe went first with Louisville 42, Syracuse 24, and he doesn’t see Syracuse hanging around because of the quarterback uncertainty, the second-half issues, the special teams mess and Louisville’s knack for piling up points in a hurry. His call on the spread: Syracuse won’t cover.
Chris Carlson was even more direct about the Cardinals’ firepower, taking Louisville 38, Syracuse 17 and also saying Syracuse won’t cover. He called Louisville the best team Syracuse has faced this season and noted that, even with three losses, the Cardinals still look motivated.
Carlson pointed to Louisville’s offense, which has not scored fewer than 27 points in any game this season, plus running back Isaac Brown and dual-threat quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. He also highlighted the impact of edge rusher Clev Lubin, who leads the ACC in quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus, averaging five per game against a good schedule.
Javon Edmonds followed with Louisville 40, Syracuse 17 and another no on Syracuse covering. He said this won’t be a fun watch and predicted Syracuse’s ACC losing streak will reach 11 games.
Edmonds expects Louisville to control the game on the ground and through the air, while Syracuse’s offense could become the bigger problem. He also said the Orange is likely to start either Steve Angeli, whose left Achilles tendon has not properly healed, or Danny Lauter, a transfer from Georgetown, and noted that both quarterbacks have had turnover-worthy plays this season.
Like Carlson, Edmonds pointed to Clev Lubin lining up over Syracuse’s right tackle all night. He added that Syracuse is catching Louisville at a bad time and that it will be extremely difficult to climb out of an 0-4 start to ACC play.
Nate Mink rounded out the panel with Louisville 37, Syracuse 20, also no on Syracuse covering. He framed Louisville as college football’s most explosive offense and backed it up with the numbers: 44 plays of at least 20 yards, three more than anyone else in the country. Mink also noted that Louisville leads the nation in plays of 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+ and 60+ yards, and has 10 touchdowns of 50 yards or more this season.
Season records for the panel: Nate Mink is 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread; Chris Carlson is 4-1 straight up and 2-3 against the spread; Javon Edmonds is 3-2 straight up and 4-1 against the spread; Brent Axe is 3-2 straight up and 2-3 against the spread.
In Other News...
Syracuse Has A Kicking Problem Fran Brown Cant Ignore
Syracuses kicking game has become one of the clearest problem spots in a season where little margin already exists. The Orange have missed more field goals per game than anyone in the Football Bowl Subdivision this season, and the issue showed up again in a recent loss that included missed kicks and a botched punt. Fran Brown said after the game that the special teams struggles were part of what went wrong, and the staff is now trying to steady a unit that has repeatedly left points on the field.
Freshman Shay Barker has been named the starting kicker going forward, giving Syracuse at least some clarity at a position that has been in flux. Even with that decision, the bigger question is whether the Orange can turn enough of those scoring chances into points to change outcomes in close games. In a season where every possession matters, the kicking game has stopped being a side note and become something Brown cant afford to keep watching unfold. [Read more 🡒]
Carmelo Anthony Just Gave Syracuse Fans Another Reason To Feel Close
Carmelo Anthony keeps finding ways to stay connected to Central New York, and his latest move feels especially personal. The former Syracuse star recently bought a nearly 60-acre property in Brookfield, New York, giving him a rural retreat that includes a farmhouse, cabins, a chalet and a large pond with recreational features.
Anthony shared a video giving fans a look at the place, and his son Kiyan said the purchase was meant to serve as a family retreat. For Syracuse supporters who still claim Carmelo as one of their own, it is another reminder that the bond between Anthony and the region has never really gone away. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Just Put A MAC Commit In Fran Browns Recruiting Crosshairs
Syracuses 2027 recruiting board picked up another interesting name this week when the Orange extended a scholarship offer to Jerry Black Jr., a three-star linebacker-athlete from Ohio who has already made an early verbal commitment to Kent State. Black has shown the kind of versatility Fran Brown and his staff tend to chase, working multiple spots at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School while drawing more attention from programs that see room for his frame and range to grow.
Black is also expected to visit the JMA Wireless Dome for Syracuses game against Louisville, which gives the Orange a chance to make a real impression before his recruitment settles down. For a 2027 class that already includes several notable verbal pledges, the offer fits the broader pattern of Syracuse staying active on underclassmen early and pressing for athletes who can fill more than one role once they arrive on campus. [Read more 🡒]