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Message: [QUOTE="PAcuse, post: 5568782, member: 715"] Syracuse goes into South Bend as a heavy underdog, but this matchup isn’t without hope. We’ve seen this before — a struggling Orange team walking into Notre Dame Stadium and shocking the college football world. With a defense that keeps fighting, a freshman corner playing like a veteran, and a young QB who showed some flashes on the final drive last week, there [I]are[/I] paths to an upset. Here’s how Syracuse pulls it off. [LIST] [*][B]History Says It Can Happen[/B] – 2008 felt like a lost season until that surreal upset in South Bend. Same energy: a battered Syracuse team, a heavyweight Notre Dame squad, and a chance to shock the world again. [*][B]Filardi[/B] – The final drive vs. Miami showed real composure from Filardi: 3-for-3, 39 yards, and a touchdown. If that confidence carries over, the offense finally has something stable to build around. Nixon finally is mixing in QB runs and that is what we need when they stack the box. [*][B]Defense Deserves a Chance to Breathe[/B] – E. Rob’s group has been strong when not forced onto the field for 35+ minutes. Even a little offensive support could make this defense a major problem for ND. [*][B]Demetres Samuel Jr. Continues to Rise[/B] – The freshman corner is already leading all first-year CBs in the country with eight pass breakups. He’s been targeted heavily, and still wins more reps than he loses. A breakout game is coming. [*][B]Notre Dame’s QB Inexperience[/B] – C.J. Carr is talented, but he’s still a redshirt freshman making young-QB mistakes. SU’s disguised coverages and pressure looks can bait him into turnovers. [*][B]Irish Defensive Regression[/B] – Under new DC Chris Ash, ND hasn’t looked dominant. Opponents have converted too many third-and-longs, and miscommunications have popped up in big moments. [*][B]Turnovers Can Change Everything[/B] – Notre Dame has stalled repeatedly in the red zone, and Syracuse has been opportunistic. A timely interception or fumble recovery on ND’s side of the field could be the swing play. [*][B]Road Underdog Mentality[/B] – In South Bend, [B]all the pressure is on Notre Dame[/B], not Syracuse. SU walks in with nothing to lose, no expectations, and full freedom to be aggressive with play-calling on both sides of the ball. Sometimes the most dangerous team is the one playing loose and fearless. [SIZE=6][I]Posted in memory of our friend, carrying on the tradition.[/I][/SIZE] 🟠 [I]Go Orange![/I] 🟠 [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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