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Syracuse Football: Week 7 NC State Wolfpack crystal ball predictions

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Nick McCloud #4 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack warms up before their game against the East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Nick McCloud #4 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack warms up before their game against the East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Chris Queripel, Contributor (4-1)

Syracuse heads into an ACC clash against the NC State Wolfpack on Thursday night in Raleigh. The Orange are 3-2 on the season most recently blowing out Holy Cross. ‘Cuse is coming off of a bye week and hopes that they had more time to prepare against NC State. The Wolfpack also have an extra week of rest.

Syracuse hopes to use the Thursday night matchup as a stepping stone for success for the remainder of their schedule. Quarterback, Tommy DeVito, exited the last game with an apparent injury but is likely to start for the Orange. In other injury news, Syracuse fans are unlikely to see defensive linemen McKinley Williams. Defensive backs, Andre Cisco, and Ifeatu Melifonwu are both questionable, Babers said: “he wouldn’t bet on those guys playing.”

The big question marks will be what defensive backs the Orange can trot out against NC State. The Wolfpack passes the ball almost 44 times per game, which is top five in the FBS. However, similarly to Tommy DeVito, the NC State quarterbacks get sacked among the most of any NCAA teams.

Sticking in the passing game for the Wolfpack, they just announced Bailey Hockman to be their starter for Week 7. Head coach Dave Doeren made the decision based on how he felt Hockman directly affects the passing game.

Matthew McKay started the first five games but wasn’t as effective as Doeren wished. Hockman got the start in Week 5 against Florida State but got injured. This led freshman Devin Leary to get some game action. So the QB room for the Wolfpack has been nothing short of a carousel over the past few weeks. Heading into this week, Hockman is atop the depth chart, followed by Leary then McKay.

NC State has only given up 87 yards per game this season on the ground and could test Moe Neal. However, the 3-2 Wolfpack gave up a lot of passing yards, so Syracuse may have to alter their game plan slightly.

My x-factor on the offense this week is Tommy DeVito. There is a lot of pressure for him to perform in an ACC contest. With NC State’s weak secondary look for DeVito to explode for one of his better performances of the season.

Defensively one constant this season for the Orange has been Lakiem Williams. No matter who plays depending on the injuries, look for Williams to be all over the field. Williams is the overall tackle and sack leader this season for the Orange.

In the end, the Orange go on the road and get a 27-20 win over NC State.

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