Syracuse Football: North Carolina football gameday prediction

Andrew Carey (contributor) 4-2

This is an absolute must win for Syracuse in my book. If this team and program wants to show that they are back and can be a consistent team, week in and week out, then they should beat North Carolina at home.

The Tar Heels have been an up and down team all season, they struggled out of the gates early, but have played much better as of late beating Pitt and taking Virginia Tech down to the wire last weekend. Syracuse has had two weeks to gear up for this game and get ready, I am looking to see a recharged Eric Dungey, who did not look right against Clemson or Pittsburgh to come out and be the play maker we all know he is capable of being.

The Orange are getting Ravian Pierce back, the starting tight end plays with passion and is a threat in both the pass game and the run blocking schemes. North Carolina has been able to run the ball effectively throughout the season, and for the Syracuse defense that has been the strength. If the run defense is once again struggling on Saturday, I don’t think Babers and his staff have a choice, they have to let some of the young backups play. Whether it is a question of fatigue, or simply being out matched, Syracuse cannot afford to get gashed on the ground the way it did against Clemson and Pitt.

On the Syracuse offense, I am looking for them to establish a run game as the have done with some success throughout the season. Finally, I hope to see more targets going to true freshman Taj Harris. The New Jersey product has 10 catches this season and is averaging 18.9/YPC. He will be a big time player in years to come, but I am hopeful he will have a strong second half of the season. Orange pull out a win on Homecoming 38-27.