Syracuse Football: Western Michigan gameday prediction

Andrew Carey (contributor) 0-0

This is going to be a very interesting opening game for the Orange who rarely open up on the road. What makes me nervous as a fan, is that this could be THE game that decides the bowl eligibility for Syracuse, and it is just their first test of the season on the road.

Western Michigan is coached by former Syracuse assistant Tim Lester, and defensive coordinator Tim Daoust was also on the Orange staff. They are familiar with some of the Syracuse upperclassmen but not as much as Scott Shafer and Middle Tennessee was last season.

In terms of how the game works out, Syracuse’s ability or lack there of to stop the Western Michigan ground attack is going to be key. Jamauri Bogan is the key cog in the backfield for the Broncos, while Syracuse will be turning to three relatively inexperienced linebackers. This will be the key to the game for the Syracuse defense. If the cast of Kielan Whitner, Andrew Armstrong, and Ryan Guthrie can contain the WMU ground game the defense should perform well.

On the offensive side of the ball for Syracuse, Eric Dungey will need to develop a relationship with his largely inexperienced WR group. After graduating receiver mainstays in Erv Philips and Steve Ishmael there are a lot of question marks at wide receiver. Look for either Jamal Custis or Devin Butler to step up early and answer those questions. Syracuse finds a way to stop the Western Michigan running attack, and has some success throwing through the air, they come out of Kalamazoo 1-0 with a 35-21 win.