The feeling will resonate in the locker room, on the sidelines, and in the huddle throughout the game: we deserve to be here, playing in MetLife Stadium, on primetime television, like the 3-1 team we should be.
Following a difficult and disconcerting loss to the Maryland Terrapins, the Orange will face off against Heisman Trophy candidate Everett Golson and his eighth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday night in the Meadowlands.
For the ‘Cuse, this marquee matchup is a chance to showcase their programs talent, and to prove to the nation that they are for real. Even if not contenders, a win or a close loss would prove a considerable amount against a team of Notre Dame’s caliber.
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The fate of the Orange likely lays in the hands of quarterback Terrel Hunt, who in 2013 was ranked the 9th best junior quarterback in the country. Hunt leads the team in rushing and passing yards, and is considered one of the top dual threat QB’s in the nation.
Aug 29, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Terrel Hunt (10) drops back to pass against the Villanova Wildcats during the first quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Behind him is an adequate collection of skill players, but a group that often commits crucial mistakes, costing the team a chance at victory. This has been the storyline for ‘Cuse football so far, and against a top-10 team like the Fighting Irish, unjustifiable errors will prove incredibly costly.
Prince-Tyson Gulley, who currently averages an incredible 7.8 yards per carry on the season, headlines Syracuse’s deepest class of running backs in years, But the shifty, nimble runner will be up against the often overwhelming Notre Dame defense which ranks in the top 30 in rush-D.
Aug 29, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange running back Prince-Tyson Gulley (23) runs with the ball as Villanova Wildcats defensive back Malik Reaves (27) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Gulley is excellent at exposing openings in cutback lanes, however, and if there is one position that Notre Dame is short on, its defensive ends. He effectively follows blocks, and easily changes direction without losing momentum, Draft Insider says about him.
But the biggest key to a Orange victory would be on the defensive side of the ball, where the Orange, led by defensive lineman Robert Welsh, Ron Thompson, Marcus Coleman and Isaiah Johnson, look to contain a volatile offensive attack lead by Golson, who has compiled 780 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and four rushing touchdowns in just three games.
Sep 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) carries the ball in the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Despite being faced with an incredible challenge, this defense has racked up 12 sacks this season, making them one of the nation’s premier units.
The Fighting Irish are the best in the nation in turnover ratio, and Syracuse is the only team in the country without an interception. The ‘Cuse know that they need to shut Golson and Co. down to win. They better hope they do.
“Everett’s a great football player,” Syracuse coach Scott Shafer said. “We knew that he had a year off last year and now all of a sudden, he’s back.”
“He accounts for over 62 percent of their offense when you look at both pass and run so he’s the guy. He’s the guy that we have to do a great job defending (against).”
But Syracuse is up for the challange, and everyone knows it.
“You try to tell them, but you can’t,” Defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said about the primetime matchup. “They’re going to know they’re on national TV. They know it’s Notre Dame. Obviously Notre Dame is a big story. You just hope they don’t get too over influenced when the game starts that they’re ready just to play. We just keep stressing it, but they’re young kids. They’re influenced by people at home.”