It didn't take lengthy for first-year Syracuse coach Fran Brown to determine what the important thing matchup was for Saturday afternoon's Atlantic Coast Convention matchup with visiting Miami.
“Syracuse has an excellent quarterback,” Brown mentioned of Kyle McCord, “and Miami has an excellent quarterback (Cam Ward).”
With a win Saturday, the No. 6 Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 ACC) can clinch a spot within the league championship recreation towards SMU.
Miami is a 10 half of level favourite for Saturday's recreation.
Syracuse (Eight-Three, Four-Three) reached eight wins for simply the fourth time since 2002, going Eight-5 in 2010 and 2012 and 10-Three in 2018. Nonetheless, the Orange have but to defeat a Prime -10. since hitting Clemson in 2017.
Miami leads the nation in scoring (44.7), and the Hurricanes will depend on excellent passing circumstances within the Syracuse dome.
That could possibly be enormous for Ward, who leads the nation with 34 landing passes, ranks second in passing yards (Three,774) and fourth in passing effectivity.
Ward's prime goal is extensive receiver Xavier Restrepo, who wants simply 21 yards to succeed in 1,000 for the second straight season.
Restrepo can be tied for seventh within the nation with 10 TD receptions.
Ward has a number of different prime targets, together with 6-foot-Four, 245-pound tight finish Elijah Arroyo, who’s a walk-on mismatch due to his dimension and velocity. He leads Miami with 18.5 yards per reception.
Hurricanes extensive receivers Isaiah Horton and Jacolby George mixed for 12 TD passes and Sam Brown added two extra. They every have over 500 yards receiving this season.
Miami's operating recreation options operating again Damien Martinez (739 yards, 5.5 avg., eight TDs); versatile Mark Fletcher Jr. (499 yards, 5.7 avg., six TDs); and freshman passer Jordan Lyle (361 yards, Eight.6 avg., 4 TDs).
Defensively, Miami's massive man is security Mishael Powell, who ranks second within the ACC with 5 interceptions.
“He thinks about profitable,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal mentioned of Powell. “He's a wise, self-starting crew participant.”
On particular groups, Miami kicker Andres Borregales ranks second within the ACC with 97 factors. He’s 52-for-52 on further factors and 15-for-16 on discipline objectives.
In the meantime, McCord ranks No. 1 within the nation in passing yards (Three,946) and tied for seventh in TD passes (26). McCord, a switch from Ohio State, additionally set the Syracuse single-season report for passing yards.
In final week's 31-24 win over Connecticut, McCord handed for a career-high 470 yards. Nonetheless, McCord is simply 46th within the nation in passing effectivity, due partly to his excessive interception whole (12).
Syracuse additionally has three of the highest six go receivers within the ACC in yards: tight finish Oronde Gadsden II (810) and extensive receivers Jackson Meeks (801) and Trebor Pena (743).
Gadsden, who’s from the larger Miami space, had three consecutive 100-yard video games. He’s the son of former Miami Dolphins extensive receiver Oronde Gadsden.
Syracuse's operating recreation is led by LeQuint Allen, who rushed for 819 yards, a Four.Three common and 12 TDs.
The issue for Syracuse could possibly be its protection, which ranks 13th within the ACC in factors allowed (27.Eight).
Miami's protection is fourth (22.Three).
Even so, Syracuse coach Brown mentioned he was excited concerning the recreation.
“I heard Miami was going to run deep,” Brown mentioned of the Miami followers. “It's going to be intense within the stands. It's going to be intense on the sector. I feel this can be a recreation that everyone desires to see.”
–Discipline degree common
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and The Related Press. Any business use or distribution with out the specific written consent of STATS LLC and the Related Press is strictly prohibited.