The Syracuse Orangemen enter Hard Rock Stadium to face-off against the seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes fresh off of their upset win over the Clemson Tigers. The game is scheduled to begin on Saturday, October 21st at 3:30 p.m. EST and can be seen on ESPN. As of this write-up, Las Vegas has the Hurricanes as a -16.5 favorite and the contest’s total at 59.
The Syracuse Orangemen rose to the level of their competition last week in the Carrier Dome. As a result, they pulled off one of the biggest upsets in school history. The Orangemen outlasted the second-ranked Clemson Tigers to the tune of 27-24. Syracuse was a heavy 22 point underdog by kick-off and never trailed throughout the match. Now, they head to Miami to play the Canes’ and once again are 16.5 point dogs.
The Miami Hurricanes barely squeaked by a game Georgia Tech squad 25-24 at home. In a rain-filled afternoon, Miami completed a fourth-quarter comeback for the second week in a row. Now, the Hurricanes have moved up to seventh in the country and will face a stiff test against a game Syracuse outfit. This game between these two schools marks the first time they will duke it out on the gridiron since 2003.
Syracuse Orangemen (4-3)
It was quite the Friday night in the Carrier Dome in upstate New York. The heavily favored Tigers came rolling into town and ran into a high-powered Syracuse offense that kept their dominating defense at bay. Also, the Orangemen took full advantage of a wounded Tiger offense and found a way to pull of the upset.
Quarterback Eric Dungey is a huge reason why the Orangemen kept out in front of the mighty Clemson Tigers. The dual-threat signal-caller played smart, completing 20 of 32 passes for 278 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. The junior under center is having an outstanding year, accumulating 2,080 passing yards with 12 scores and only four interceptions. Furthermore, he has used his feet to scamper for another 386 yards and eight more scores.
The running game has struggled in 2017. Eric Dungey is the units leading rusher, so I’m sure you understand my point. Unfortunately, no other tailback has stepped up and helped carry the load. The closest rusher to Dungey is Dontae Strickland. The junior has managed to record just under 300 yards on 95 carries and three touchdowns. Besides these two, the Orangemen’s rushing attack is a moot point.
The wide receiver corp is where the Syracuse Orangemen’s talent lies. In fact, they sport one of the best one-two combinations in all the of the FBS. Wideout Steve Ishmael has been amazing, catching 62 balls for 802 yards and four touchdowns. His 802 yards is good for third in the nation. On the other side, teammate Ervin Phillips finds effective ways to produce. Phillips has caught 56 passes for another 569 yards and three more scores.
The Orangemen’s defense has been good against the run through the first half of the season. When Clemson’s Kelly Bryant couldn’t continue, the Tigers were up a creek without a paddle. Overall, the front seven has held opposing ground games to only 128 yards a game (38th). The secondary needs a little work but the unit as a whole toughens in the red zone. Syracuse is 55th in the country, only allowing 24 points a contest.
(7) Miami Hurricanes (5-0)
The Miami Hurricanes found a way to stay undefeated when they drove the field and kicked the game-winning field goal in the contest’s waning moments. The comeback victory over the Yellow Jackets marked the second week in a row that the offense came through in the clutch.
The new face under center in Miami has them sitting at 5-0 and ranked pretty high in the national polls. Mike Rosier has done it by being smart with the football. In 2017, the junior has 12 touchdown tosses and only three interceptions. He also has completed just over 100 balls for 1,371 yards.
Mike Rosier is basically a pocket-passer so the Hurricanes rely on their running backs to move the ball on the ground. Leading rusher Mark Walton went down to a season-ending ankle injury two weeks ago but it’s next man up at the U. Tailback Travis Homer is that player and he responded well in his first start of the year. Against Georgia Tech, Homer rumbled for 170 yards on 20 carries and a score. Now, the bulldog of a back has collected 382 yards and five touchdowns with an 8.5 yard a carry average.
One receiver stands out when you talk to the coaches at Coral Gables. That person is Braxton Berrios and he’s quarterback Mike Rosier’s favorite target. He has reeled in 24 passes for 326 yards with five trips to the promised land. Furthermore, the shifty wideout continues to move the chains, converting key third downs for the Miami offense. Two other pass catchers have combined for another 25 catches for about the same yardage as Berrios and two more scores.
The Miami defense was outstanding in the victory last week, holding Georgia Tech to only 281 total yards. They also limited them to 4 for 13 on third downs. The Hurricanes’ pass defense has especially been very sharp but will be tested by Eric Dungey this week. Overall, the Hurricanes are looking good, winning five straight to start the season and are now 3-0 in ACC play.
Prediction
Apparently, line setters didn’t give a whole lot of credit to a Syracuse team that upset the second-ranked Tigers last week. The 16.5 line as an underdog on the road is a testament to that. I realize the Tigers were banged up but I believe the Orangemen are starting to turn the corner. Especially, with a prolific passer who has two talented wide receivers that can score from anywhere on the field.
The Miami Hurricanes found a way to get the job done at home and were rewarded by moving to seventh in the nation. I’ll have to admit, I thought they might take a step back after losing Mark Walton. Well, that wasn’t the case as Travis Homer proved he can shoulder the load. The Canes’ are finding ways to win close games and that is the sign of a good ballclub.
Even still, I think the 16.5 spread here is just too much. I suggest that my readers take the Orangemen on the road to cover. I certainly am not calling for another upset, but I think Eric Dungey and company should find enough ways to score to stay competitive. As for the game’s over/under, well I’m just not going there. As I explained in my previous article on Syracuse, I can’t seem to figure out when they will be in scoring battle or not. Just take the Cuse’ to run with the Canes’ and lose another close one in Miami.
Trends
The Orangemen are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
The Orangemen are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
The Under is 9-1 in the Orangemen last 10 conference games.
The Hurricanes are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The Hurricanes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 conference games.
The Under is 5-1 in the Hurricanes last 6 games overall.
Favorite is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
