FACTS & STATS: Site: BB&T Field (31,500) — Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Television: RSN. Home Record: Syracuse 1-4, Wake Forest 2-0. Away Record:
Syracuse 1-0, Wake Forest 0-4. Neutral Record: Syracuse 0-0, Wake Forest 0-0.
Conference Record: Syracuse 0-3, Wake Forest 0-2. Series Record: Syracuse
leads, 2-1.
GAME NOTES: Both the Syracuse Orange and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will
try for their first win in the Atlantic Coast Conference on Saturday afternoon
when the rivals square off at BB&T Field.
Syracuse recently wrapped up a four-game homestand but came away with four
straight losses to spoil a solid 2-0 start to the season. The Orange had the
unenviable task of taking on No. 1 Florida State last weekend, and while they
played better than expected, they were still on the losing end of a 38-20
final.
Wake Forest’s most recent loss also came to Florida State, as it fell 43-3 in
Tallahassee on Oct. 4 prior to last week’s bye. The Deacons lost the previous
week at Louisville (20-10) and are 0-2 in the ACC, but the good news is that
they have won both contests at BB&T Field this season.
Syracuse has beaten Wake Forest in two of three all-time meetings, including
last season at home, 13-0.
The Orange’s struggles this season can be largely attributed to a lackluster
offensive attack, as they score only 21.3 ppg while amassing 412.3 ypg.
AJ Long played the majority of the snaps in the FSU game after Austin Wilson
went down with an injury, and in his first action of the season he completed
16-of-27 passes for 167 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Long is
in line to start with Wilson questionable and Terrel Hunt (982 yards, TD, four
INTs, 307 rushing yards, six TDs) expected to miss another month with a leg
injury.
Without Hunt’s dual-threat ability, the squad has to rely on a more
traditional rushing attack spearheaded by Prince-Tyson Gulley (382 yards, TD)
and Adonis Ameen-Moore (270 yards, TD).
Jarrod West is the team’s top receiving target with 24 receptions for 380
yards but he has yet to find the end zone. Gulley is a viable check-down
option with 17 receptions, although they have resulted in a mere 78 yards.
Syracuse’s lackluster offense has masked the efforts of a solid defense, which
allows 26.7 ppg and 388.7 ypg.
Cameron Lynch is one of the ACC’s best linebackers, having tallied 49 tackles,
6.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Marqez Hodge (5.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks) and
Eric Crume (4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks) have also done a good job of getting pressure
in the backfield.
As poorly as Syracuse has played on offense, Wake Forest has been even worse,
as it ranks 121st in the nation in scoring (15.7 ppg) and dead-last in yardage
(212.8 ypg). The Deacons are coming off their worst showing of the season in
amassing a mere 126 yards in the loss to FSU.
John Wolford’s season under center has been a struggle. He’s completing only
59.3 percent of his passes for 177.2 ypg with six touchdowns and 11
interceptions, which is tied for second most in the country.
Despite Wolford’s poor play, Cam Serigne (29 receptions, 282 yards, TD) and
E.J. Scott (26 receptions, 267 yards, four TDs) are both in the midst of solid
seasons.
The rushing attack has been non-existent, as the unit ranks last in the FBS
with 31.0 ypg on a measly 1.0 yard per carry. Orville Reynolds (59 carries,
143 yards) earns the most backfield work.
Wake Forest’s accomplishments on the defensive side of the ball have been
incredibly impressive considering the minimal support it gets from the
offense. It allows just 24.0 ppg and 354.8 ypg and has forced 12 turnovers.
Brandon Chubb has racked up a team-best 58 tackles to go with a sack and a
forced fumble. Other defensive standouts include Ryan Janvion (56 tackles),
Marquel Lee (50 tackles, 5.5 TFL), Zachary Allen (35 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 4.0
sacks), Merrill Noel (two INTs) and Taylor Harris (four fumble recoveries, two
blocked kicks).
This will surely be a low-scoring affair with two struggling offenses facing
off, but with Syracuse likely down to its third-string quarterback heading on
the road to play a stout Wake Forest defense, expect the Deacons to pull this
one out.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wake Forest 17, Syracuse 13
