Is anyone else’s heart still beating fast after that last-second win by Syracuse football this past Saturday afternoon against Big Ten Conference member Purdue on the Hill? I know mine is.
The Orange and the Boilermakers combined for a whopping 42 points in a thrilling fourth quarter, with ‘Cuse quarterback Garrett Shrader connecting with wide receiver/tight end Oronde Gadsden II for a 25-yard touchdown with just seven seconds remaining.
That score propelled Syracuse football (3-0) to a 32-29 triumph over Purdue (1-2), and it gave the Orange a really strong home win versus a formidable Power 5 opponent. Now, the ‘Cuse was far from perfect in this non-conference clash, as the defense allowed more than 400 yards through the air.
All-American running back Sean Tucker also didn’t have a performance against the Boilermakers that we’re accustomed to these days. However, the Orange made some big plays when it mattered the most, including a 17-yard pick-six from defensive lineman Caleb Okechukwu.
Looking ahead, Syracuse football clearly has a lot of positive momentum, as the ‘Cuse is 3-0 for the first time since 2018, when the Orange went 10-3 overall, won a bowl game, and finished at No. 15 in the national rankings.
Up next for Syracuse football is a Friday night collision with fellow Atlantic Coast Conference squad Virginia. The ‘Cuse already owns one ACC conquest after stomping Louisville in week one.
If Syracuse football can knock off the Cavaliers (2-1) from the JMA Wireless Dome, that will inch the Orange one step closer toward reaching at least a half-dozen victories in the 2022 stanza and becoming bowl eligible this fall.
Syracuse football vs. Virginia odds week 4
When I penned this column, the Orange was a 10-point betting favorite over UVA, per the Action Network Web site. The over/under was set at 54.5 points.
Syracuse football vs. Virginia prediction week 4
To date in the 2022 stanza, the ‘Cuse has wins versus Louisville at home, UConn on the road and, most recently, Purdue in Central New York. Virginia, meanwhile, defeated Richmond in Charlottesville, Va., got crushed at Illinois and snuck by Old Dominion at home this past Saturday.
Syracuse football hosting the Cavaliers is a really intriguing match-up. One obvious – and big – storyline is certainly Orange offensive coordinator Robert Anae and quarterbacks coach Jason Beck going up against UVA.
Anae and Beck left Virginia in the off-season to join the staff of ‘Cuse head coach Dino Babers, and without question, those two assistant coaches have made a huge impact so far for Syracuse football in the 2022 term.
Interestingly enough, UVA and the Orange are pretty similar at this juncture as it pertains to several statistical categories, including points allowed per game, total yards per contest on offense and total yards given up per affair on defense.
At this point in the current season, though, the ‘Cuse does have a sizable advantage in points scored per game, at 37.0 for Syracuse football and 17.7 for the Cavaliers.
The Loud House has been terrific in the Orange’s home battles so far in 2022, and I expect the Dome to be rocking again this Friday evening. I like Syracuse football to prevail over Virginia.
Injuries, how to watch, live stream, next game
On the injury front, fullback/tight end Chris Elmore and linebacker Stefon Thompson are out for the 2022 campaign, and Babers said earlier this week that, unfortunately, wide receiver Isaiah Jones is “probably” out for the remainder of this season as well.
The ‘Cuse will welcome UVA to town on Friday, Sept. 23, with the kick-off scheduled for 7 pm. ESPN will televise this ACC bout. All-time, Virginia is 3-2 versus Syracuse football.
For Orange and UVA fans who want to stream this game, you can check it out on fuboTV.
After (hopefully) besting Virginia, Syracuse football will stay on the Hill for a non-conference game against Wagner out of the Northeast Conference. The kick-off is slated for 5 pm on Saturday, Oct. 1. The ACC Network Extra will provide coverage.