Syracuse Orange Football: Predictions and poll against Stanford

The Syracuse Orange (2-0, 1-0) welcome a new ACC conference opponent to the JMA Wireless Dome tomorrow night. The Stanford Cardinal (1-1, 0-0) will face Syracuse for the first time ever. It’s on at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and here’s what we predict:

Kevin: Syracuse 31, Stanford 20

It’s still early in the season, but there’s nothing to suggest Stanford can slow down Syracuse’s offense enough to win. If the Orange can keep the ball under control, they should jump out to the lead and force the Cardinal to catch up. Look for Syracuse’s defensive line, led by Fadil Diggs, to make life difficult for Ashton Daniels.

Carson: Syracuse 31, Stanford 13

After two games, it’s hard to believe this offense won’t run through arguably one of the worst defenses in the country last season — which didn’t get much help from the transfer portal to fix its problems, either. Fran Brown has talked a lot this week about the improvements on the offensive line, which makes me think Syracuse could look to establish the run game a little more this time around with LeQuint Allen. It’s great that SU can throw the ball, and do it with precision, but if the Orange can prove to the rest of the ACC that they can run, too, this team could certainly make head coaches rethink their game plans.

Max: Syracuse 38, Stanford 24

I’m having a hard time betting against the Orange right now, who have the better roster and all the momentum going into this game. Since it’s the first-ever meeting between the two teams, I expect Stanford to come out of the starting blocks a little rusty in front of a packed Dome crowd. Kyle McCord will pick apart a Cardinal defense that’s about to regress, and Daniels will be forced out of the pocket by SU’s strong defensive line.

Microphone: Syracuse 42, Stanford 17

SU survived the first challenge against GT and with this game coming between a bye and an FCS opponent, there’s no reason for them to falter. It’s Stanford’s first long trip east for an ACC game and even though they’re arriving a day early, they could very well arrive sluggish. That would give the Orange a chance to take them down early – make it happen, guys.

Cathedral: Syracuse 28, Stanford 17

Like the rest of the team, Syracuse’s offense simply has more firepower than Stanford. A suspect Orange defense will have its inconsistent moments, but for the most part will hold its own against a Stanford offense that doesn’t really stand out. With this game being in prime time on Friday, the stakes are high, so I expect Coach Brown to get the Orange in the right frame of mind after the off week.

Christian: Syracuse 34, Stanford 21

Syracuse’s offense looks too good to bet against right now. TCU has racked up 457 yards of offense in Stanford’s only loss of the season so far. When you have a quarterback like Kyle McCord playing with so much confidence, the offense should be easy for the Orange, which is very refreshing in Central New York. If the Orange defense keeps Ashton Daniels in check and the Orange special teams eliminates the mistakes, this should be a comfortable win for the Orange.

Now it’s your turn