Eric15
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They referred to our receivers as "average." They didn't have to do that, but it was very nice of them nonetheless.
Wake Forest (4-4) at Syracuse (3-4) Nov. 2, 12:30, ESPN3
Why You Should Give A Hoot: Wake Forest and Syracuse are hooking up for the third time, the first as members of the same conference.
Both schools are on the cusp of postseason contention, with every game going forward carrying tremendous significance. The Demon Deacons were one of the ACC’s hotter teams in October, beating NC State and Maryland. However, last week’s 24-21 loss to unbeaten Miami, while impressive, goes down as a major lost opportunity to log a statement win. Wake outplayed the nation’s No. 7 team, losing its lead with under a minute left. The Orange got a bye to fix what went wrong in a 56-0 loss to Georgia Tech. Two weeks may not have been nearly enough time for head coach Scott Shafer to address the issues impacting his team on both sides of the ball.
Why Wake Forest Might Win: Though light on publicity, the Deacon D has been stout throughout the season. Clemson is the only opponent that’s scored more than 24 points on a unit that gets its spark from high-motor interior lineman Nikita Whitlock. With Whitlock exploiting gaps on the inside and DE Zach Thompson coming off the edge, it’ll be another long day for Syracuse QB Terrel Hunt, who too often locks onto one receiver. The Orange now rank 111th in passing efficiency, and has gone three straight games without a touchdown pass.
Why Syracuse Might Win: As long as the offense remains inconsistent, Wake Forest will have a difficult time pulling away from anyone. The Orange will pound away on offense with RB Jerome Smith, attacking an opponent that has had occasional issues with the running game. The Syracuse D is better than it looked against the Yellow Jackets, boasting its own front seven playmakers in DT Jay Bromley and linebackers Marquis Spruill and Cameron Lynch.
Who To Watch Out For: Not only must Hunt deal with the pressure he’ll feel on Saturday afternoon, but he’ll also need to avoid the instinctive Deacon corners. Kevin Johnson and Merrill Noel have three picks apiece, and will have no problems blanketing the average Orange receivers.
- Wake Forest QB Tanner Price wants to get the ball to WR Michael Campanaro. The Syracuse staff knows it. The Syracuse players know it. And the Syracuse fans know it. It won’t matter. So skilled is Campanaro with his quickness and his route-running that he’ll be good for at least 10 catches for a fourth straight game.
- Bromley and Whitlock are two of the most underrated interior linemen on the East Coast. Both players bear a close watch, because both players are capable of changing the tenor of this game.
What Will Happen: Wake Forest has struggled outside of Winston-Salem in recent years under Jim Grobe, but this latest edition has the right amount of resolve and veterans to endure a trip to the Carrier Dome. The defense is stingy, and Price against Hunt has the potential to be a mismatch that favors the visitor. Wake has the right makeup to pop back up following last week’s disappointing loss in South Florida.
Prediction: Wake Forest 27 … Syracuse 20
Line: Syracuse -3.5 o/u: 50.5
Wake Forest (4-4) at Syracuse (3-4) Nov. 2, 12:30, ESPN3
Why You Should Give A Hoot: Wake Forest and Syracuse are hooking up for the third time, the first as members of the same conference.
Both schools are on the cusp of postseason contention, with every game going forward carrying tremendous significance. The Demon Deacons were one of the ACC’s hotter teams in October, beating NC State and Maryland. However, last week’s 24-21 loss to unbeaten Miami, while impressive, goes down as a major lost opportunity to log a statement win. Wake outplayed the nation’s No. 7 team, losing its lead with under a minute left. The Orange got a bye to fix what went wrong in a 56-0 loss to Georgia Tech. Two weeks may not have been nearly enough time for head coach Scott Shafer to address the issues impacting his team on both sides of the ball.
Why Wake Forest Might Win: Though light on publicity, the Deacon D has been stout throughout the season. Clemson is the only opponent that’s scored more than 24 points on a unit that gets its spark from high-motor interior lineman Nikita Whitlock. With Whitlock exploiting gaps on the inside and DE Zach Thompson coming off the edge, it’ll be another long day for Syracuse QB Terrel Hunt, who too often locks onto one receiver. The Orange now rank 111th in passing efficiency, and has gone three straight games without a touchdown pass.
Why Syracuse Might Win: As long as the offense remains inconsistent, Wake Forest will have a difficult time pulling away from anyone. The Orange will pound away on offense with RB Jerome Smith, attacking an opponent that has had occasional issues with the running game. The Syracuse D is better than it looked against the Yellow Jackets, boasting its own front seven playmakers in DT Jay Bromley and linebackers Marquis Spruill and Cameron Lynch.
Who To Watch Out For: Not only must Hunt deal with the pressure he’ll feel on Saturday afternoon, but he’ll also need to avoid the instinctive Deacon corners. Kevin Johnson and Merrill Noel have three picks apiece, and will have no problems blanketing the average Orange receivers.
- Wake Forest QB Tanner Price wants to get the ball to WR Michael Campanaro. The Syracuse staff knows it. The Syracuse players know it. And the Syracuse fans know it. It won’t matter. So skilled is Campanaro with his quickness and his route-running that he’ll be good for at least 10 catches for a fourth straight game.
- Bromley and Whitlock are two of the most underrated interior linemen on the East Coast. Both players bear a close watch, because both players are capable of changing the tenor of this game.
What Will Happen: Wake Forest has struggled outside of Winston-Salem in recent years under Jim Grobe, but this latest edition has the right amount of resolve and veterans to endure a trip to the Carrier Dome. The defense is stingy, and Price against Hunt has the potential to be a mismatch that favors the visitor. Wake has the right makeup to pop back up following last week’s disappointing loss in South Florida.
Prediction: Wake Forest 27 … Syracuse 20
Line: Syracuse -3.5 o/u: 50.5
