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It didn’t take long for the Florida State Seminoles to rebound from two straight close ACC games and dominate an opponent, showing the nation that they are deserving of the No. 1 ranking. Week six was somewhat of a confidence builder heading into the heart of the conference season as the Seminoles beat up on Wake Forest by 40 points.
The Syracuse Orange aren’t much of a threat to contend for a conference title, especially after losing three consecutive games. However, the Orange still have a shot at ruining other top teams’ seasons, including Florida State this week with a huge upset victory at home. Does Syracuse have what it takes to play spoiler?
Sophomore quarterback and reigning Heisman winner Jameis Winston has thrown more interceptions this season that he would care to admit, but since coming back from a game-three suspension, he has been money for the Seminoles. Winston has passed for 1,288 yards and eight touchdowns this season; 662 yards and five touchdowns have come since his suspension in a two-game stretch. The offense is finally starting to heat up and he is a large reason for that. Rashad Greene has taken over the role of top wide out, snagging 38 passes for 576 yards and three touchdowns while Jesus Wilson is the next closest target with just 17 catches for 240 yards and four scores. Tight end Nick O’Leary has been solid as well, catching 16 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. The run game ranks just 100th in the nation as Karlos Williams leads the way in his first year starting with 353 yards and five touchdowns.
The offense of the Orange this season has been quite hit-or-miss. Syracuse ranks 86th in the passing game while having success in the run game, ranking 40th nationally. However, the Orange have had a tough time reaching the endzone, ranking just 107th in points per game. Senior and second-year starting quarterback Terrel Hunt had been inaccurate at times for Syracuse this season, but he had been the leader of the team prior to a leg injury suffered against Louisville in week six that will keep him out for a month, at least. Sophomore Austin Wilson will take the place of Hunt as he has thrown just 20 passes all season long compared to Hunt’s 145 attempts for 983 yards and a touchdown. He will have the help of top target Jarrod West who has caught 21 passes for 321 yards. Hunt had also led the run game with 307 yards and six scores on 51 carries. Prince Tyson-Gulley and Adonis Ameen-Moore will have to pick up the slack as they have combined for 543 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in 2014.
Defensively, the Orange have struggled against opponents with less potential than Florida State, but have been good overall. Syracuse ranks 63rd in points allowed per game and ranks in the middle of the nation, allowing just over 370 total yards per outing. Florida State has generally had one of the best defenses in the country for the past few years and this year has been somewhat the same as the Seminoles rank 36th in points allowed and 36th in total yards allowed with just about 348 per game.
Florida State will travel to Syracuse to take on the Orange at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 11. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
PREDICTION: Florida State 41, Syracuse 17
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
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