Syracuse Football: Week 4 Western Michigan crystal ball predictions

Mat Mlodzinski, Contributor (2-1)

Syracuse – 48, Western Michigan – 21.

The Orange are getting ready for the second of a two-game series against the Broncos this weekend. Last year, the high-powered ‘Cuse offense won in a surprisingly tight battle, 55-42.

Western Michigan was led by quarterback Jon Wassink (379 yards and 3 touchdowns), LeVante Bellamy (120 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns), and D’Wayne Eskridge (8 receptions and 2 touchdowns).

The Broncos bring the former two back, and still have a very good offense, putting up over 45 points in both of their wins. However, they have yet to find a true No. 1 receiver to step up, something I believe Dino Babers will look to take advantage of on the defensive side of the ball.

For this to happen, the Orange defense will have to play well. Barring a total collapse offensively, Tommy DeVito and co. should have no trouble scoring on a team that let Michigan State drop 51 points on them in Week 2.

With that being said, the defensive secondary is key for Syracuse, so that Wassink doesn’t get too comfortable, as he is not a very dangerous threat on his legs. Moreover, this is a redemption game for the Orange. It is the first of two extremely winnable games to put Syracuse back over .500 and into the national landscape of good teams again. Those around the program know that this team is capable of winning at least eight games. This is the game to start to prove that.