Syracuse v. Boston College (10/30/21) Game Information:
- Teams: Syracuse (4-4, 1-3 ACC) v. Boston College (4-3, 0-3 ACC)
- Date: Saturday, October 23
- Game Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
- Network: ACC Regional Sports Networks
- Spread: Syracuse -6.5
- History: The two teams last met in the 2020 season. Phil Jurkovev threw for 208 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles survived a defensive battle, defeating Syracuse 16-13. The loss dropped Syracuse to 1-7 on the season.
Wes Cheng
Fearless Prediction: Syracuse 24, Boston College 21
Syracuse’s offense has been outstanding in its rushing game this season. This is no secret.
Just eight games through the season, Sean Tucker has rushed for 1,060 yards (becoming a Heisman candidate in the process), and quarterback Garrett Shrader, who only became the full-time starting quarterback in the fourth week of the season, has 592 yards.
The two must be salivating over this matchup. While Boston College’s run defense was adequate over the first half of the season, the numbers haven’t been pretty over the last three games (all losses):
- Clemson: 231 yards
- NC State: 130 yards
- Louisville: 331 yards
Shrader in particular should be excited. In Louisville’s 28-14 win over the Eagles, Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham rushed for 133 yards on 16 carries (8.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
» Related: Former Syracuse lineman expects Orange to make a bowl game
On the flip side, the Eagles have been searching for offensive solutions after Phil Jurkovec was lost for the season after Week 2. Backup Dennis Grosel had the BC offense humming, with the team averaging 41.3 points per game as the Eagles moved to 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
But that changed once the Eagles hit ACC play, and have averaged only 11.3 points per game in three losses. Grosel has already thrown five interceptions (compared with two touchdowns) and completed just 61 of passes 111 (54.9 percent), which has led head coach Jeff Hafley to open up the starting quarterback competition.
He could stick with Grosel, but was non-committal, and could also trot out Daelen Menard, Matthew Rueve, or Emmett Morehead on Saturday.
That all leaves plenty of uncertainty for an offense that faces the 27th ranked defense in the country. Syracuse has allowed just 324.9 yards per game, and is favored against an ACC opponent for the first time this season.
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