Syracuse Football: Week 7 NC State Wolfpack crystal ball predictions

Mat Mlodzinski, Contributor (3-2)

Who says Thursday night football can’t be fun?  Syracuse will try their hand at that when they take on North Carolina State at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 10 at 8 p.m.

Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito was injured at the end of the Holy Cross game, but given the bye week, all reports stem to him being able to suit up for this all-important game.

Currently, the Orange are 0-1 in ACC play, but with their final seven games all conference matchups, it would be key to start that stretch off with a bang.  Meanwhile, the Wolfpack come in at the exact same record at 3-2 (0-1), and with it being a home game for NC State, this puts extra pressure on the ‘Cuse.

NC State can definitely score the football. They’ve put up 27 points or more in four of their five games. However, last time out they were held to just 13 by Florida State, which could be something to keep an eye on.

Regardless, they run the ball well, with three backs all at over 200 yards on the season, and a quarterback, Bailey Hockman, who will be starting his first game against the Orange.

For Syracuse to win this game, it must bring pressure. Through five games, Matt McKay had yet to pass the 1,000-yard mark, thus bringing in Hockman. Nonetheless, both are well under 60% completion percentage on the season, and with a combined 4:2 touchdown to interception ratio, the air game isn’t like it was when Ryan Finley was in town. Hockman himself only passed for a little bit above 200 yards on 21-of-40 throwing against FSU, so clearly Syracuse could make him uncomfortable and perhaps force some turnovers.

It is a big game for Syracuse, as a win would put them right back in the ACC race at 4-2 (1-1) with a game against Pitt next Friday.

Syracuse wins 34-27 over the Wolfpack.