The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are unbeaten, but they are coming off a game in which they did not play well at all. They will try to do better when they face the Syracuse Orange.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Syracuse Orange – Game In East Rutherford, N.J.
Saturday, September 27th – 8:10 PM ET
Odds: Notre Dame -12
Why The Fighting Irish Will Cover
They are going up against a Syracuse team that has a hard time translating statistical advantages into points. The Orange appeared to be on the right track this season after beating a bad Central Michigan team 40-3. You should beat bad teams by big margins, so when Syracuse did that, the Orange figured to be on their way up, not down. However, Syracuse’s most recent game, a home contest against Maryland, turned sour. The Orange gained almost 600 total yards and more than 350 on the ground. Maryland didn’t even get 100 yards rushing, and the Terrapins finished 220 yards behind Syracuse in terms of overall offensive production. Yet, Maryland won the game easily, leading by three touchdowns early in the fourth quarter before Syracuse tacked on a meaningless touchdown at the end. Syracuse almost lost at home to Villanova this season, losing when the Wildcats failed on a two-point conversion try in overtime. The Orange do not inspire much of any confidence at all right now. They are searching for answers, and those kinds of answers usually don’t come quickly.
Notre Dame has had a bye week in which to fix its various problems, especially on offense. The Fighting Irish have a quarterback in Everett Golson who can make a great play when a designed pass is shut off, or when the pocket breaks down. The Irish have all the resources they need to win this game handily.
Why The Orange Will Cover
They are facing a Notre Dame team that’s not really all that sure of itself right now. Any good college football team should beat the brakes off Purdue. The Boilermakers are a terrible team, one that got pasted by Central Michigan at home. That’s the same Central Michigan team Syracuse beat by 37 points. Notre Dame struggled the whole way against Purdue. The Irish were not in danger of losing the game, but they never really pulled away. Notre Dame took a 24-14 lead in the third quarter and was unable to extend the lead beyond two possessions, or 16 points. The Irish collected two more field goals but finished with only three total touchdowns against a soft Purdue defense. Notre Dame was unable to get long plays for most of the night, and that has to be a concern against a Syracuse team that, while it doesn’t always score, is pretty good about being able to move the ball. Syracuse, as long as it is good in the red zone on defense, can hold Notre Dame below 24 points and have a real chance to win at the end.
Outlook
Notre Dame just didn’t focus very hard against Purdue. You can be sure head coach Brian Kelly ripped into his team this past week. You’ll see a different Fighting Irish team, one that should trounce Syracuse.
Pick: Notre Dame -12
