‘Cuse Countdown Previews Saturday’s Matchup Against Wake Forest

Saturday, Oct 31, 2020 at 11:36 am by Sports Editor

After going toe-to-toe with the number one ranked team in the country, Syracuse returns to the Dome for another showdown against an opponent from the Carolina’s. ‘Cuse Countdown has all the predicitions for Syracuse vs. Wake Forest.

John Dales: Wake Forest 38 Syracuse 34

Coming off one of the worst losses in program history, Syracuse football surprised a lot of people with a strong effort against Clemson last week. I think the Orange build off that momentum and give the Demon Deacons a scare. However, Wake Forest has too much talent to lose this one. Just last week, Christian Beal-Smith and Kenneth Walker III combined for nearly 200 rushing yards. The SU run defense has been terrible all season, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Christian Beal-Smith and Kenneth Walker III shoulder the offensive load, and the Demon Deacons outshoot the Orange in a close one.

Calvin Cristoforo: Wake Forest 44 Syracuse 17

It is no secret that the Syracuse defense has struggled to stop the run this season. Cuse is ranked dead last in the ACC giving up 235 rushing yards per game. So, it doesn’t bode well for the orange that the team coming to the dome on Saturday has two running backs that average five yards per carries and have a combined twelve touchdowns. Wake turns this game into a track meet and routs SU on the road.

Johnny Gadamowitz: Syracuse 31 Wake Forest 20

Think back to two weeks ago, when Syracuse lost 38-21 against Liberty. There was a lot not to like in that game. The Orange allowed a whopping 520 total yards against the Flames, with 338 of them coming on the ground. Fast forward to the next week against Clemson, and arguably the nation’s best runningback, Travis Etienne. Yet, SU held Etienne in check, keeping him under the triple digit mark. But it STILL wasn’t enough. This week however, SU puts it all together. We’ve seen growth on a game to game basis ever since Tommy Devito went down, and Saturday against the Demon Deacons it finally pays off in the win column.

Nick Zelaya: Wake Forest 42 Syracuse 24

The ghosts of the Atlantic Coast Conference continue their hauntings over the Syracuse Football team, and do not plan on lifting any curses this weekend against Wake Forest. Syracuse is coming off a loss to the number one team in the country, the Clemson Tigers, where the Orange trailed by just six at one point during the third quarter. The Tigers shutout Syracuse in the fourth quarter to seal the win and avoid a scare. Wake Forest is coming off an upset over #19 Virginia Tech last week, where they held the top rushing team in the ACC to only 210 yards on the ground, the lowest the Hokies had recorded all season. Both teams will have to take advantage of the poor run defense that exists on each sideline. Syracuse remains dead last in run defense, and Wake Forest is not much better, ranked 13th in the conference. While Sean Tucker could have a big game for Syracuse, Wake Forest has two guys capable of rushing for 100+ yards on Saturday: Kenneth Walker III and Christian Beal-Smith. Although Syracuse ended last season with an overtime thriller against Wake Forest, this season has been nothing but agony for Dino Babers’ squad. The Demon Deacons are hot, riding a three-game winning streak, which will turn into four after they come into The Dome and spook the Orange.

Sam Lebowitz: Wake Forest 35 Syracuse 21

Wake Forest is coming off of an upset win against Virginia Tech last week, thanks in large part to a three-interception performance by a walk-on. Running into a team with that kind of momentum is dangerous – especially when that team is as poor a matchup for Syracuse as the Demon Deacons. The key here for this matchup is the running game. Wake Forest has two very good running backs in Kenneth Walker III and Christian Beal-Smith. Mixed with a solid offensive line, the Deacons are going to be running over Syracuse all day. The run defense was shockingly good against Clemson last week, but I do not buy it. I trust the struggles they had had all year prior to that way more than one good game. Wake Forest is hot and they’re a bad matchup for the Orange. The Deacon’s leave the hill with a decisive win.

Chris Sacchi: Wake Forest 30 Syracuse 23

Despite some recent progress in a loss against Clemson, SU very well may have to settle for moral victories again this week. Wake Forest simply has more star players, and without Andre Cisco, Tommy Devito, and possibly Trill Williams and Sean Tucker, the Orange are too thin to keep up. Meanwhile, Carlos Basham Jr. has 5.0 sacks this season, while the two-headed running back tandem of Kenneth Walker III and Christian Beal Smith both average at least 77 yards per game on the ground. Forced turnovers for SU should keep them in this ballgame.