Syracuse football resides in top 10 in numerous national team statistics

As Syracuse football prepares to host Clemson in an Atlantic Coast Conference showdown this Saturday afternoon on the Hill, the Orange remains among the national leaders in a variety of team statistical categories.

The Orange (4-0), coming off a 29-16 home victory against Army last weekend, is currently No. 6 around the country in scoring offense, as the ‘Cuse is averaging 44.2 points per game, according to the NCAA’s Web site.

On the other side of the field, the Orange’s scoring defense is No. 7 nationally, with the squad presently allowing just 10.75 points per contest.

On a national scale, the only other college team that is in the top 7 nationwide in both scoring offense and scoring defense is Oklahoma, a Big 12 Conference group that is ranked No. 14 in the top-25 polls.

Let’s check out where Syracuse football arrives in other national team stats.

While it’s encouraging that the Orange wrapped up its non-conference docket without a loss, the team’s schedule intensifies in the near term as the ‘Cuse opens ACC play. After welcoming Clemson to the JMA Wireless Dome this Saturday, Syracuse football travels to both top-15 North Carolina and top-five Florida State.

In any event, the Orange can only worry about the squad next up on its 2023 schedule, and to date, the ‘Cuse has defeated Colgate, Western Michigan, Purdue on the road, and Army. At this juncture, after reviewing the NCAA’s Web site, I’m counting at least eight statistical categories where Syracuse football is rated in the top 10.

Here are some of the highlights:

•Tied for No. 3 with two defensive touchdowns

•Tied for No. 29 with 67 first downs made by its opponents

•Tied for No. 8 with 10 turnovers gained

•Tied for No. 9 with a turnover margin of +1.25 per game

•No. 8 with 108 first downs made

•No. 11 in net punting, with 43.73 yards per punt

•No. 22 with 294.5 passing yards per game

•No. 29 with 185.2 passing yards allowed per contest

•No. 1 in red zone defense (4-of-9 attempts, or 44.4 percent)

•Tied for No. 21 with 89.0 rushing yards allowed per game

•No. 16 with 213.2 rushing yards per affair

•No. 18 with a 3rd-down conversion percentage of 50.9

•Tied for No. 29 with a 3rd-down conversion percentage defense of 32.3

•No. 28 with a team passing efficiency of 161.27

•No. 12 with a team passing efficiency defense of 102.12

•Tied for No. 18 with 3.25 sacks per game

•Tied for No. 23 with 7.0 tackles for a loss per contest

•No. 15 with total defense of 274.2 yards per game

•No. 9 with total offense of 507.8 yards per contest