As Syracuse football looks to avoid a slide into back-to-back losses, it heads to Chapel Hill to face the undefeated and ranked Tar Heels. With a win, they slide one game closer to an automatic bowl bid. Basically, I’m saying either way we’re about to slide.
And since Carolina is led by a potential NFL top draft pick by the name of Drake Maye, I thought my 51-year-old self would utilize this opportunity to preface this post with the only Drake song I know well.
But make no mistake about it, Drake Maye is not someone to take lightly. Last season, Maye had 4,321 yards passing, 38 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. This season, Carolina is already 4-0 and in his last game against Pitt, he finished 22-30 with 296 yards passing.
Syracuse has faced 5 first-round NFL quarterbacks since joining the ACC.
— Nate Mink (@MinkNate) October 2, 2023
Syracuse is winless in the 13 games started by Kenny Pickett (0-4), Lamar Jackson (0-2), Jameis Winston (0-2), Deshaun Watson (0-2) and Trevor Lawrence (0-3)
Last 1st round QB SU knocked off was Teddy. https://t.co/jCtsWXpBOm
And Syracuse football Head Coach Dino Babers is expecting the Orange secondary to get tested long and often against Maye. This could be a game where players can prove themselves against a quarterback of this magnitude or Maye proves he’s worthy of the top 3 player hype per NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper.
This Saturday, Syracuse football will face a prolific North Carolina offense.
We know the loss to Clemson stinks, but if you wish to make Lloyd Christmas say that you “totally redeemed yourself,” one way is to beat Carolina on the road. Clemson had talent but Syracuse didn’t take advantage of opportunities and lost. Going into Chapel Hill, this is an opportunity to prove that was one game but this team is capable of winning against big-time opponents and a potential big-time quarterback.
Syracuse football will have to catch those passes, avoid silly penalties and make Drake Maye have a rough day. The Syracuse football secondary, led by captains Justin Barron and Isaiah Johnson, is talented enough to challenge him for sure on those deep routes. But they’ll have to make sure if he does make a mistake, they take advantage of it.
Do I think Carolina is good? Yes! Those 4 wins they have are against quality teams. App State took them to overtime before the Heels won but they beat Pitt, Minnesota and South Carolina by at least two touchdowns each.
Do I think Syracuse football can win? Yes! Limit mistakes and take advantage of any opportunities you get. Catch the passes no matter which quarterback threw it. Don’t give referees opportunities to make a call like chest bumping a guy out of bounds.
And with any luck, it’ll be “God’s Plan” that when that “hotline blings,” the Orange secondary will make it a tough day for Drake Maye and alleviate all those “trust issues” some Syracuse football fans are having these days.