Several members of the Inside Pack Sports staff predict the winner of the NC State-Syracuse matchup and tells you why.
NC State 42, Syracuse 28
Buckle up, I think we'll have a shootout on Saturday.
Both of these teams play fast and have explosive offenses. The tempo will yield additional possessions for both teams as well, which helps the scoring.
NC State should be able to take care of business at home behind a strong performance from the offense.
The Wolfpack should score at will against the Orange and if more points were needed NC State would likely be able to oblige.
Syracuse defensively will struggle and it will be compounded if the Pack gets stops on defensive as it will create fatigue, which is a pitfall of an up-tempo offense when it is unsuccessful.
Admittedly I have some concerns about State riding last week’s win for too long and potentially even starting to look too far ahead at the looming Thursday night matchup with Louisville.
In fact, I wouldn’t be in the least surprised to see Syracuse come out guns-blazin’ on Saturday and put some quick points on the board.
However, at the end of the day I think State is the better team here and can lean on their collective experience to stay calm through any adversity the Syracuse offensive-attack may create and ultimately come out with a fairly close win.
State is the better team and it will show Saturday.
The Syracuse defense is significantly worse than the Florida State defense, and Ryan Finley will take advantage. Multiple weapons will be involved as State puts points in the board.
On the otherside, Syracuse will have some success throwing the ball to the edge quickly, but should struggle to run the ball effectively allowing State to limit points.
This will be a week where the Wolfpack doesn't succumb to the post-big game hangover as would be expected. The defense finally came together for a solid game from start to finish against the Seminoles, and that will carry over against the Orange.
Ryan Finley will continue his tearing apart other teams' defenses as the offense will continue to flourish. NC State will cruise to victory with ease while preparing for the short week with the contest against Louisville next on the schedule.
I expect NC State to soundly beat Syracuse on Saturday, 41-21.
Syracuse is bound to gain some yardage and score some points: that's almost a guarantee when facing an Air Raid offense.
The other side of that, though, is that State will possess the ball plenty. State should be able to score the ball early and often, especially through the air, and I think the defense will continue to be sound in the red zone and limit Syracuse's scoring opportunities.
I think State avoids a letdown and sets themselves up with an interesting matchup next Thursday night against Louisville.
NC State should be able to handle Syracuse as long as the Pack doesn't have a hangover from Tallahassee. State has the weapons on offense but they must establish the ground game. Look for the Pack's d-line to take control of the game early.
NC State should be able to control this game on both the D-Line and the O-Line.
Syracuse's air threat could cause some problems, but Mike Stevens coming back will be welcoming sight. Also, Morehead is becoming a very good safety.
Syracuse has four interceptions on the year, but expect Finley to continue his streak and stay in his rhythm.
Also, expect Jay Sam to do Jay Sam things.
The bottom line is that this is a game that State should win.
I think they avoid the big letdown, especially considering that the best players on both sides of the ball will be wearing red ( with gray) on Saturday. It is true that Cuse hung tight with LSU last week, and that makes a lot of fans nervous.
But this NC State team will be the most "complete" opponent that Syracuse has faced thus far. I am expecting NC state to dominate the trenches and dictate the flow of the game.
James Henderson (IPS Publisher)
NC State 42, Syracuse 28Buckle up, I think we'll have a shootout on Saturday.
Both of these teams play fast and have explosive offenses. The tempo will yield additional possessions for both teams as well, which helps the scoring.
NC State should be able to take care of business at home behind a strong performance from the offense.
Rob McLamb (IPS Beat Writer)
NC State 45, Syracuse 28The Wolfpack should score at will against the Orange and if more points were needed NC State would likely be able to oblige.
The Wolfpack should score at will against the Orange and if more points were needed NC State would likely be able to oblige.
Syracuse defensively will struggle and it will be compounded if the Pack gets stops on defensive as it will create fatigue, which is a pitfall of an up-tempo offense when it is unsuccessful.
Bryant Carson (IPS Football Analyst)
NC State 37, Syracuse 27Admittedly I have some concerns about State riding last week’s win for too long and potentially even starting to look too far ahead at the looming Thursday night matchup with Louisville.
In fact, I wouldn’t be in the least surprised to see Syracuse come out guns-blazin’ on Saturday and put some quick points on the board.
However, at the end of the day I think State is the better team here and can lean on their collective experience to stay calm through any adversity the Syracuse offensive-attack may create and ultimately come out with a fairly close win.
James Johnson (IPS Football Analyst)
NC State 38, Syracuse 20State is the better team and it will show Saturday.
State is the better team and it will show Saturday.
is the better team and it will show Saturday. The Syracuse defense is significantly worse than the Florida State defense, and Ryan Finley will take advantage. Multiple weapons will be involved as State puts points in the board.
On the otherside, Syracuse will have some success throwing the ball to the edge quickly, but should struggle to run the ball effectively allowing State to limit points.
Daniel Wilson (IPS Writer)
NC State 35, Syracuse 17This will be a week where the Wolfpack doesn't succumb to the post-big game hangover as would be expected. The defense finally came together for a solid game from start to finish against the Seminoles, and that will carry over against the Orange.
Ryan Finley will continue his tearing apart other teams' defenses as the offense will continue to flourish. NC State will cruise to victory with ease while preparing for the short week with the contest against Louisville next on the schedule.
Jackson Williford (IPS Writer)
NC State 41, Syracuse 21I expect NC State to soundly beat Syracuse on Saturday, 41-21.
Syracuse is bound to gain some yardage and score some points: that's almost a guarantee when facing an Air Raid offense.
I think State avoids a letdown and sets themselves up with an interesting matchup next Thursday night against Louisville.
The other side of that, though, is that State will possess the ball plenty. State should be able to score the ball early and often, especially through the air, and I think the defense will continue to be sound in the red zone and limit Syracuse's scoring opportunities.
I think State avoids a letdown and sets themselves up with an interesting matchup next Thursday night against Louisville.
Jeff Reeves (IPS Photographer)
NC State 34, Syracuse 13NC State should be able to handle Syracuse as long as the Pack doesn't have a hangover from Tallahassee. State has the weapons on offense but they must establish the ground game. Look for the Pack's d-line to take control of the game early.
Austin Parker (IPS Writer)
NC State 31, Syracuse 16NC State should be able to control this game on both the D-Line and the O-Line.
Syracuse's air threat could cause some problems, but Mike Stevens coming back will be welcoming sight. Also, Morehead is becoming a very good safety.
Also, expect Jay Sam to do Jay Sam things.
Syracuse has four interceptions on the year, but expect Finley to continue his streak and stay in his rhythm.
Also, expect Jay Sam to do Jay Sam things.
Jake McSwain (IPS Writer)
NC State 31, Syracuse 17The bottom line is that this is a game that State should win.
I think they avoid the big letdown, especially considering that the best players on both sides of the ball will be wearing red ( with gray) on Saturday. It is true that Cuse hung tight with LSU last week, and that makes a lot of fans nervous.
But this NC State team will be the most "complete" opponent that Syracuse has faced thus far. I am expecting NC state to dominate the trenches and dictate the flow of the game.
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