Syracuse football has chance to move out of ACC basement vs. Louisville

Syracuse football is a huge underdog as the Orange heads to Louisville on Friday evening.

Syracuse football, following a bye week, makes a trip to Louisville this Friday night, in an Atlantic Coast Conference clash that pits two of the league’s worst teams to date in the 2020 stanza.

After a 31-17 loss at Virginia this past Saturday, the Cardinals are 2-6 overall and 1-6 in ACC competition. The Orange (1-7, 1-6), meanwhile, is currently in last place within the conference, but the ‘Cuse did hang tough with Boston College in its most recent encounter, falling 16-13 from the Carrier Dome on Nov. 7.

Should Syracuse football, a team decimated this term by injuries, student-athlete opt-outs and poor play, manage to knock off Louisville, that would get the Orange out of the ACC’s basement, at least for the time being.

It might also prove the best opportunity remaining in the current campaign for the ‘Cuse to notch a success, as the squad’s other games left on the docket are at home against a good N.C. State group and on the road versus highly rated Notre Dame, which is a serious contender for the College Football Playoff.

At this juncture, even though both the Cardinals and the Orange are really struggling, Louisville is a roughly 18-point favorite, according to odds-makers.

ESPN’s Football Power Index says that the Cardinals possess an 83.8 percent chance to prevail. This ACC battle, by the way, begins at 7 pm on Friday, with television coverage on ESPN.

Syracuse football can move in a positive direction within the ACC standings with a win at Louisville.

When the ‘Cuse hits the field with the Cardinals, the Orange will square off against a crew that is potent on offense for sure, but the Cardinals, much like Syracuse football, are woeful on defense.

Per ESPN, Louisville averages about 28 points per game while compiling an impressive 440 yards of total offense. Orange head coach Dino Babers said via cuse.com, “It’s an explosive offense … and they continue to find ways to score points. I’m really impressed with everything they’ve been able to do.”

On the flip side, though, the Cardinals give up nearly 30 points a game, and they allow 392 total yards on defense per meeting, which isn’t quite as bad as the Orange, but Syracuse football nonetheless should be able to generate some offense in this ACC bout.

A few days ago, Louisville got some bummer news when its best running back, redshirt sophomore Javian Hawkins, said on Twitter that he would sit out the rest of the 2020 term and declare for next year’s NFL Draft. That’s a small victory for a ‘Cuse defense which is pretty dreadful against the run in the fall campaign.