Syracuse and NC State, Both 4-5, Meet in Raleigh With Postseason Hopes at Stake
Syracuse and NC State, both 4-5, met Saturday, November 14, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. The Wolfpack, under interim coach Todd Goebbel, faced the game without at least 12 players. Pregame picks favored the Orange, who need two wins in their last three games to reach bowl eligibility.
Syracuse vs NC State was set for Saturday, November 14, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, with both college football teams sitting at 4-5. NC State played under interim head coach Todd Goebbel and planned to honor its seniors in the home finale.
For both programs the stakes are about pride. For Syracuse, they also involve a postseason bid.
Wolfpack short-handed
NC State was set to be without at least 12 players, with a few more expected to miss the game. Key defenders Popo Aguirre and Ronnie Royal III are among the concerns, and the offensive line has also been hit by injuries.
The Wolfpack could also be missing two of its top three tacklers. That could put freshmen on the field for big snaps at linebacker.
Syracuse is not fully healthy either, especially on its offensive line. It is in much better shape than the Wolfpack, though.
Run defense in focus
NC State has allowed 30 points per game at home against FBS teams. Syracuse has surrendered 32 points per game on the road.
The Wolfpack's run defense is the clearest weakness. Nate Sheppard ran for 217 yards on 18 carries against it, the most NC State has given up to one running back this season.
Syracuse running back Ahmad Miller has topped 100 rushing yards in three of his last four games. He and Tylik Hill share the carries, and the Orange have two 500-yard rushers this season.
On the other side, Syracuse coach Fran Brown has a defense that held Clemson without an offensive touchdown last week. Tunmise Adeleye and Keyshawn Johnson have 13 sacks between them. That puts pressure on NC State quarterback CJ Bailey to make plays with his legs when the pocket breaks down.
What Syracuse needs
Syracuse is coming off a loss to Clemson. The Orange want to win two of their final three games to reach 6-6 and bowl eligibility.
A win in Raleigh would also lift them past the FanDuel over/under of 4.5 wins for the season. Boston College is among the remaining opponents.
Close games have defined the Orange's year: seven of their nine games have been decided by eight points or fewer.
All four staff predictions in NC State's pregame coverage picked Syracuse. The scores were 35-32, 27-23 and 27-24, and the fourth had the Wolfpack keeping it close before dropping its third home game of the season.
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