The Syracuse football team tries to get a much-needed win on Saturday against the NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Nov 14, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange running back Jordan Fredericks (22) runs past Clemson Tigers safety T.J. Green (15) and defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) for good yardage during the first quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
After seven straight losses, several of which were heart-breakers, Syracuse is due for a win, right?
Somehow I don’t think that NC State really cares how unlucky, or unfortunate, or how deserving we are of winning a game. They might already be qualified for a bowl, but now they are looking to run the table and get to a better spot at the end of the year.
Syracuse, on the other hand, is just looking for something positive to end another lackluster season on. Although there have been plenty of bright spots this, the overwhelming truth is that Syracuse is 3-7 and threatening to finish with the exact same record as last year.
Youth, inexperience, injuries, bad clock management, and more have all been excuses used so far to account for the record, but now it’s time to put up or shut up. If Scott Shafer wants to keep his job, he needs to prove that he deserves it in these last two games. Playing a close game against Clemson was good, but wins are the ultimate goal. This game is absolutely winnable.
Here are the five keys to the game for Syracuse, and how they can accomplish them to pull out a victory.