Syracuse football continues its month-long road trip when the Orange heads to fellow Atlantic Coast Conference school N.C. State this Saturday evening.
The Orange, last Friday night, notched a thrilling three-point, overtime win against then-No. 25 and previously undefeated UNLV in Las Vegas. That result marked the second instance in the 2024 season that the 'Cuse beat an opponent that was ranked in the major top-25 polls at the time the game was played.
In September, at the JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse football also defeated then-No. 23 Georgia Tech by three points.
The Orange began its 2024 campaign, under first-year head coach Fran Brown, with four consecutive encounters on the Hill. Now, in October, the 'Cuse only will suit up on the road, first at UNLV, then at N.C. State this coming weekend, followed by a trip to No. 22 Pittsburgh later this month.
In the latest Associated Press and Coaches top-25 polls that were released on Sunday, Syracuse football received at least one vote in each ballot. The Orange needs two more regular-season triumphs to qualify for a post-season bowl for the third year in a row.
Following week six, numerous national pundits were projecting the 'Cuse to make a bowl game at the conclusion of the current term.
Syracuse football at N.C. State odds, spread and total
When I wrote this article, FanDuel had the Orange as a 4.5-point betting favorite at the Wolfpack, with the over/under set at 55.5 points.
Syracuse football at N.C. State how to watch
Date: Saturday, Oct. 12
Game Time: 8:00 pm EST
Venue: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.
TV/Streaming: ACC Network and fuboTV
N.C. State's record: 3-3, 0-2 in the ACC
Syracuse's record: 4-1, 1-1 in the ACC
Syracuse’s full 2024 schedule: Click here
Syracuse football at N.C. State prediction and pick
Here's the week-seven depth chart for the Orange, courtesy of 247Sports analyst Mike McAllister.
In their all-time series together, the 'Cuse is just 3-13 against N.C. State, per SU Athletics. Their most recent meeting occurred in October of 2022, when Syracuse football knocked off the Wolfpack at home, 24-9.
Here is N.C. State's resume at this juncture in the 2024 season. The Wolfpack has wins over Western Carolina, Louisiana Tech and Northern Illinois. Conversely, N.C. State has fallen to top-10 Tennessee, top-10 Clemson and, most recently, Wake Forest.
When the Wolfpack lost at home to the Demon Deacons this past Saturday by four points, a scary situation transpired, as N.C. State graduate student quarterback Grayson McCall took a hit to the head and was carted off the field, according to media reports.
Thankfully, the team said in a post on X later Saturday evening: "Some great news: quarterback Grayson McCall has been released from the hospital. He is alert and in good spirits and all scans were normal." We're, of course, sending love and positive vibes to Grayson.
Some great news: quarterback Grayson McCall has been released from the hospital. He is alert and in good spirits and all scans were normal.
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) October 5, 2024
On paper, I do believe that Syracuse football is a better squad than the Wolfpack. The 'Cuse offense continues to play at a high level. In the win over UNLV, the defense was inconsistent but also made some key stops at critical moments.
The Orange's kicking game fared better against the Rebels than it had in the prior week, when Syracuse football beat Holy Cross at the Dome. But, without question, the 'Cuse punting unit has a lot of work to do.
The Orange program gained confidence and momentum after upsetting UNLV, and I think that will carry over to this Saturday night's ACC affair. I'll go with Syracuse football to defeat N.C. State on the road by a final count of 35-24.