Syracuse gets its first real test of the season Saturday, and the panel around the Orange is leaning hard in one direction.
The Orange will host California at 3:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome, with the ACC Network carrying the game. And when it came time to make picks, all four voices in the prediction panel landed on Syracuse, with every selection also backing the Orange to cover.
Brent Axe sees a 34-24 Syracuse win and pointed to Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele as the biggest swing factor.
“Anything can happen when Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is on the field. He could throw four touchdowns or four interceptions in a row and neither would faze me. He’s a wildcard that Syracuse has to make sure to play to the whistle every snap.”
Axe also noted the quarterback’s ankle injury and what he views as a weak California run defense as reasons the Orange can control the game.
“I think JKS’s ankle injury and Cal’s poor run defense will tilt in SU’s favor, and the Orange start 2-0 with a short turnaround to Pitt to follow.”
Chris Carlson is also calling for a Syracuse win, with the Orange taking it 34-28.
“I didn’t think we’d be getting into the impact of injuries this early in the year but here we are.”
Carlson said he wants to see how Syracuse’s work on the offensive and defensive lines carries against a Power-Four opponent, but he sees Sagapolutele’s health as a major issue for California after the quarterback limped late against UCLA.
“Combine that with Cal’s dreadful performance against the run and a cross-country road trip and I’m already flip-flopping on one of my preseason expectations.”
Javon Edmonds is picking Syracuse 28-24 and also sees the matchup tilting toward the Orange in the trenches.
“Syracuse matches up with Cal at multiple levels. The Bears are rebuilding their defense and aren’t close to being a good unit.”
Edmonds pointed to Cal giving up 277 rushing yards against UCLA and said Syracuse’s size up front and depth at running back should matter.
“They allowed 277 rushing yards against UCLA. Syracuse has the biggest offensive line in the country and has several running backs it can throw at Cal.”
He also flagged Sagapolutele’s two interceptions last week and said Syracuse’s secondary should be ready for more complex looks than it needed in the opener.
“As long as Syracuse can keep JKS in the pocket, the Orange will leave its ACC opener with a win.”
Nate Mink has the widest margin of the bunch, taking Syracuse 34-17.
“Syracuse may end up facing multiple future first-round NFL quarterbacks this season, much the way it did in Fran Brown’s first season when Kyle McCord outgunned Fernando Mendoza and Cam Ward.”
Mink said Cal has built around its quarterback, a sophomore on a one-year deal worth a reported $3 million, and that his camp is already publicly wondering whether he can check off all of his college goals in the Bay Area.
“The Orange can muster enough points as they continue finding their way offensively, but I’m betting on the two future NFL cornerbacks and better fundamental acuity in a new defensive scheme as the more decisive factor on Saturday.”
Syracuse and California both enter the game with 1-0 records. Brent Axe is 1-0 straight up and 1-0 against the spread, and Chris Carlson is also 1-0 straight up and 1-0 against the spread.
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