Syracuse Orange v. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction & Preview (10/9/21)

Syracuse running back Dontae Strickland
Syracuse running back Dontae Strickland (4) rushes against Wake Forest. Mandatory Photo Credit: Kicia Sears, The Juice Online.

Syracuse v. Wake Forest (10/9/21) Game Information:

    • Teams: Syracuse (3-2) v. Wake Forest (5-0)
    • Date: Saturday, October 9
    • Game Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
    • Venue: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
    • Network: ESPN2
    • Spread: Wake Forest -6
    • History: The two teams last met in 2019 in the season finale for the Orange, with Syracuse winning 39-30 in overtime.

jimRutger Sears
Fearless Prediction: Wake Forest 30, Syracuse 21

In Syracuse’s 33-30 loss to FSU, Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis gave a tough Syracuse defense fits last week, especially toward the end of the game. The good news for SU is that Sam Hartman is not nearly as mobile, though it’s not for a lack of trying.

Wake Forest has made the RPO a big part of their game this year, evidenced by Hartman having five or more rushing attempts in three out of their gives games thus far- including 10 attempts last week against Louisville.

That rushing threat has opened passing windows that Hartman has been able to exploit, but the fact of the matter is Hartman just isn’t fast or athletic enough for me to envision him giving Syracuse’s 12th ranked defense much trouble.

The real threat for Syracuse to watch out for is on the other side of the ball.

After transferring from Michigan in the offseason, defensive end Luiji Vilain has really come on for the Demon Deacons since a quiet first game. Vilain has at least one sack in Wake Forest’s last four games, and the 6-4, 252 pounder has been consistently getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Syracuse’s offensive line has played well, but they will have their hands full with the combination of Vilain and fellow defensive lineman Rondell Bothroyd. Which leads me to the Orange’s weapon of their own.

Sean Tucker has been nothing short of electric for the Orange, and with Wake Forest sporting an impressive pass rush unit Tucker will have to control the game on the ground to prevent a shoot out.

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Tucker is currently first in the ACC in rushing yards with 638, and sports seven touchdowns to boot. Syracuse has shown to be vulnerable to quarterbacks running the option game, which Hardman has worked effectively this year. If Sean Tucker can dominate on the ground like he has been and give SU the edge in time of possession, they can eliminate that facet of Wake Forest’s recent success.

Sports Betting Dime’s prediction score formula has the Wake Forest Demon Deacons beating Syracuse Orange by a score of 28–22.

That’s where I mostly land. Wake Forest-Syracuse has been an exciting series in recent years, and I could see another entertaining game in this one with Syracuse returning home to the Dome.

Ultimately though, Wake Forest is one of the best coached teams in the country and is firing on all cylinders and holds off an upset bid from the Orange.

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About Rutger Sears 129 Articles
Rutger is a freelance writer and as a Syracuse native, has an affinity for all Syracuse University Athletics. From Donovan McNabb to Mike Powell, Rutger has seen greatness in many forms don an Orange uniform over the last 30 years. He covers all Syracuse athletics with a particular emphasis on football and recruiting.