Syracuse is back on the field Saturday at noon, heading to East Hartford to take on UConn in a CBS Sports Network game with Jack Gordon, Taylor McHargue and Jaclyn DeAugustino on the call.
The Orange come in at 1-2 and 0-2, while the Huskies are 2-2. It’s a spot that feels like a chance for Syracuse to steady itself after the off week, and the predictions lean that way across the board.
Kevin sees a Syracuse win by two touchdowns, 37-23, and points to UConn quarterback Kalief Osborne as the wrinkle that could stress the Orange defense. Syracuse had issues containing Mason Heintschel when he escaped the pocket at Pitt, so that part of the matchup matters.
Even so, Kevin expects the Huskies’ pass defense to be vulnerable again and believes the extra time off should help Syracuse finally hit some explosive plays. The big question, in his view, is whether the Orange can stay away from costly penalties.
Max is even more convinced Syracuse gets the job done, picking the Orange 35-21 and saying they can move to 2-2. He calls UConn a struggling team, but notes Syracuse has been in that same neighborhood too.
Still, he sees this as a chance for the Orange to reset, with Calvin Russell making his debut as a possible difference-maker. Max also points to the rest and the time the staff has had to rethink how to run the team, though he adds the familiar warning about penalties.
Mike has Syracuse winning 31-17 and says these Huskies are not the Jim Mora version from last season. He doesn’t go so far as to call them bad, but he does note that UConn was outclassed by Maryland, a team that was then demolished in its Big Ten opener, and also lost to Miami OH last weekend.
Mike says the game could start a little shaky depending on how Steve Angeli looks, especially with Fran Brown suddenly under pressure. In his view, either Angeli delivers as QB1 or Amari Odom gets his chance.
Dom rounds out the picks with Syracuse 27, UConn 17, calling it a post-bye-week game that comes with some uncertainty, especially for the Orange offense. He says UConn’s defense is pretty weak, but wonders whether Syracuse can keep that unit off the field, hit the big plays and take advantage when opportunities come. Dom thinks the Orange will do enough in stretches to win, while also agreeing with the general theme: this is not the Mora Huskies, but it won’t be a cakewalk either.
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