Two Atlantic Coast Conference squads trending in the wrong direction will go toe to toe this Saturday night, as Syracuse football heads to Wake Forest.
The Orange (6-4, 3-3) has lost four straight. Its most recent disaster was a 38-3 setback at the hands of top-25 Florida State on senior day last Saturday evening at the JMA Wireless Dome. The ‘Cuse fell by 35 points. There’s not much more that can be said.
Following a 6-0 start to the 2022 campaign, Syracuse football has dropped games to Clemson, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and the Seminoles, and the Orange has looked really awful during this four-contest slide.
The Demon Deacons (6-4, 2-4) have not fared much better of late. Wake Forest has lost three times in a row. First, the Demon Deacons got crushed at Louisville. Wake Forest then fell at N.C. State.
Most recently, the Demon Deacons lost by two points at home to red-hot North Carolina in a thrilling affair over the weekend.
Both Syracuse football and Wake Forest are expected to head to bowl games in the future, and this league encounter is important to the Orange for a couple of reasons. Number one, the ‘Cuse needs a victory to regain its confidence. The team looks sort of lost.
Secondly, if Syracuse football can finish the 2022 regular season with two successes, that may help it get into a “better” bowl game. What’s more, the Orange has a shot to finish at No. 3 in the ACC’s Atlantic division, behind Clemson and FSU.
The Tigers, by the way, will play in the ACC championship contest on Saturday, Dec. 3, versus the Tar Heels in Charlotte, N.C.
Syracuse football at Wake Forest odds week 12
When I wrote this column, WynnBET had the Demon Deacons as a 10.0-point betting favorite. Also at the time of this writing, the over/under was set at 55.5 points.
Syracuse football at Wake Forest prediction week 12
First and foremost, I want to say that I’m really proud of the Orange for attaining bowl eligibility in the 2022 season for the first occasion dating back to the 2018 stanza. I love this team, and I love the seniors and other ‘Cuse players who are likely to depart the Orange after the present campaign.
That being said, while both Syracuse football and Wake Forest are struggling these days, the Demon Deacons are playing this game at home. Wake Forest has a terrific passing attack, led by redshirt-junior quarterback Sam Hartman, and the Orange’s Mob defense is banged up.
For me, I’m just hoping that Syracuse football can be competitive in this one, particularly given that the ‘Cuse is on the road. Reluctantly, I’ll take the Demon Deacons to prevail.
Injuries, how to watch, live stream, next game
On the injury front, Syracuse football has lost numerous key players to season-ending injuries. They include star cornerback Garrett Williams, fullback/tight end Chris Elmore, linebacker Stefon Thompson, wide receiver Isaiah Jones, defensive lineman Terry Lockett and defensive lineman Denis Jaquez Jr.
The Orange will square off with Wake Forest from Truist Field in Winston-Salem, N.C., beginning at 8 pm on Saturday, Nov. 19. This ACC battle will air on the ACC Network.
For Syracuse football and Demon Deacons fans who want to stream this game, you can check it out on fuboTV.
After its game versus Wake Forest, the ‘Cuse will wrap up its 2022 regular season with a contest at long-time rival Boston College. The Eagles don’t have a good record in the present term, however, this past weekend, they stunned top-20 N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C.
Syracuse football and Boston College will suit up on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass. This regular-season finale is expected to begin at 7:30 pm, with television coverage provided by ACC regional sports networks.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.