Syracuse v. Miami Football Predictions

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Syracuse has won two straight in ACC games
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Syracuse has won two straight in ACC games

Syracuse travels down to Florida to play Miami on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Ahead of the game, The Juice Online staff gave their predictions:

BRAD BIERMAN: After meeting in the Big East for 12 consecutive seasons (1992-2003) it seems strange to be in the same football conference as Miami, but as members of opposite divisions face the Hurricanes only twice in a seven year period either home or away (Miami comes to the Dome in 2024).

The renewal of the series for the first time since 2003 not only provides the ‘Cuse an opportunity for program-first consecutive victories over Top Ten teams, but for this year’s Orange another notch in the quest for respect with an eye towards ending the bowl game drought after three seasons.

Miami has survived its last two games with dramatic points late, and SU will be looking to make sure the ‘Canes aren’t in a position for another comeback by starting fast as it did last week versus Clemson.

With several Miami players coming back from injuries this week, we see Eric Dungey and company and the SU “D” having an edge on his counterpart, ‘Canes redshirt junior Malik Rosier, and a Cole Murphy field goal with just over two minutes to play staking the Orange to a 31-28 win and sniffing the Top 25 for the first time since 2001.

» Related: Syracuse football has chance for encore against Top 10 team

STEVE AUGER: There’s an old adage in baseball that momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher. In football, it might seem hard to carry over momentum when teams play once a week, but, harnessing a landmark win is a good place to start.

That’s exactly what Syracuse will attempt to do as it travels to sunny, and warm, Miami this weekend for a showdown with the undefeated No. 8-ranked Hurricanes. The Orange will have to deal with the ‘Canes’ rushing attack in the form of RB Travis Homer who averages a whopping 8.5 YPC. Homer took over for Mark Walton after he was lost for the year due to injury.

On the other side of the ball, Miami has a formidable front seven who will be looking to slow down the Syracuse offense led by Eric Dungey, Erv Philips, and the ACC’s leading receiver and Miami native, Steve Ishmael.

The Orange has a tangible opportunity to show that the Clemson win wasn’t a fluke. To do so, Syracuse will need get off to another fast start, avoid a mental letdown, play mistake-free football, continue to get off the field on third down, and overcome the Florida heat. Syracuse 31 Miami 27.

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