Syracuse football aims to pick up its first Atlantic Coast Conference victory of the 2023 season this Saturday afternoon, when the Orange makes a trip to No. 14 North Carolina.
The ‘Cuse (4-1), last Saturday on the Hill, did itself no favors in a 17-point setback to Clemson on homecoming weekend, which was the Orange’s first loss of the current term following a 4-0 start in the non-conference docket.
Versus the Tigers (3-2), the ‘Cuse succumbed to numerous penalties and turnovers. By and large, the squad’s Mob defense was solid, although it did miss out on a couple of chances to pick off Clemson’s quarterback. On the other side of the field, the Syracuse football offense struggled to get anything going.
So now the Orange must regroup and get ready to battle the Tar Heels (4-0), which were idle last weekend and were predicted to finish at No. 3 in the ACC standings, per the league’s preseason media poll released in early August.
“We have to put this one to bed and move forward. Still have an opportunity in front of a us and a doggone good opponent.”
— Tommy CNY (@TommySladek) October 2, 2023
Dino Babers on the loss to Clemson and looking ahead to No. 14 UNC pic.twitter.com/wutMPp7vQx
No. 14 North Carolina vs. Syracuse odds, spread and total
When I wrote this article, FanDuel had the Orange as an 8.5-point betting underdog on the road versus the Tar Heels, with the over/under set at 58.5 points.
No. 14 North Carolina vs. Syracuse how to watch
Date: Saturday, Oct. 7
Game Time: 3:30 pm
Venue: Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV/Streaming: ESPN and fuboTV
North Carolina’s record: 4-0
Syracuse’s record: 4-1
Syracuse’s full 2023 schedule: Click here
No. 14 North Carolina vs. Syracuse key players to watch
Here is the week-six depth chart for the Orange against the Tigers, courtesy of SyracuseOnSI publisher Mike McAllister.
From an injury standpoint, star junior receiver Oronde Gadsden II and redshirt sophomore offensive lineman David Wohlabaugh Jr. are out for the remainder of the 2023 campaign due to injuries.
Dino said a lot of the receiving option injuries are “day-to-day, week-to-week.”
— emily leiker (@emleiker) October 2, 2023
When asked specifically about Villari, he said “he should be okay.” https://t.co/D54h3WVMjS
Redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Jones is likely out for a while, too, head coach Dino Babers has said. I also didn’t see junior wide receiver/return specialist Trebor Pena on the Orange’s week-six depth chart.
North Carolina
Sophomore quarterback Drake Maye
Maye had an electric 2022 stanza, throwing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. So far in 2023, he has been solid, but not stellar, completing 72.7 percent of his passes for 1,187 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Sophomore running back Omarion Hampton
Hampton, so far this stanza, has been one of the best RBs in the ACC. Heading into week six, Hampton has rushed 73 times for 383 yards and seven touchdowns, and his average of 95.8 rushing yards per contest is No. 2 in the ACC.
Syracuse
Senior quarterback Garrett Shrader
Shrader just looked off in the Orange’s loss to the Tigers. He only completed 15-of-29 pass attempts for 176 yards, with two passing touchdowns and one interception. On the ground, Shrader carried the ball 15 times for 24 yards.
Sophomore running back LeQuint Allen Jr.
Allen, last weekend, rushed 14 times for 52 yards. He hauled in six passes for 38 yards and a receiving score. Both he and Shrader have to produce more if the ‘Cuse is going to upset UNC on the road.
Redshirt sophomore tight end Dan Villari
Villari was one of the few bright spots for Syracuse football in the loss to Clemson. He caught two passes for 65 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown reception and another 37-yard grab. Particularly with Gadsden out, if Villari can continue to step up, that would loom large for the Orange.
No. 14 North Carolina vs. Syracuse prediction and pick
In their short all-time series together, per cuse.com, the Orange is 3-3 versus the Tar Heels. Their most recent encounter occurred in September of 2020 in that year’s season opener. North Carolina, at home, defeated the ‘Cuse, 31-6.
UNC’s 2023 results at this juncture include beating South Carolina at a neutral site, defeating both Appalachian State and Minnesota at home, and knocking off Pittsburgh on the road. That’s not exactly a brutal docket to date, but then again, prior to the Clemson affair, Syracuse football hadn’t faced an overly daunting schedule, either.
Even though the Orange is away from Central New York for this Saturday’s game, I feel like Syracuse football players are going to put up a strong fight against a ranked foe on the road. However, I still think the Tar Heels are going to prevail in this ACC clash, by a final count of 34-27.
After the ‘Cuse plays at North Carolina, the Orange will hit the road for the second week in a row. On Saturday, Oct. 14, Syracuse football will travel to No. 5 Florida State (4-0). This game will be played at Doak S. Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla., with the kick-off slated for either noon or 7:30 pm and television coverage on ABC.