Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Syracuse

NC State and Syracuse will kickoff tonight at 8pm on ESPN, but before they do, here’s a preview of the Orange.

Team Stats

Schedule

Rundown

Syracuse was projected to finish 2nd in the Atlantic Division, even picking up 2 first place votes. Thus far, they have not met expectations, getting crushed by Maryland and Clemson, and are underdogs against the Wolfpack tonight.

The Orange are struggling on both sides of the ball, ranking 11th in Total Offense (385.8), and 12th in Total Defense (438.2).

Two strengths will be up against one another tonight. Syracuse ranks 1st in the ACC in turnovers forced (12), and NC State has turned the ball over only 4 times, which is the lowest in the conference. The Orange have forced a turnover in 19 straight games, which is the 2nd longest streak in the FBS.

When Syracuse has scored in 2019, it’s been explosive. Eleven of their fifteen scores in the past two games have been drives of two minutes or less.

Player Rundown

It was questionable whether or not Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Tommy DeVito, would play tonight, but he looks to be set to play. His 11 touchdown passes rank 3rd in the ACC, and ranks 4th in passing yards per game (246.8).

DeVito’s main target is Redshirt Junior Trishton Jackson, leading the team in receptions (24), receiving yards (393) and touchdown receptions (5). Jackson is averaging an impressive 16.4 yards per carry. His 5 touchdowns ranks 3rd in the ACC.

Even though they haven’t had the success this year that Jackson has had, Senior Sean Riley and Sophomore Taj Harris lit the Wolfpack up last year. In the Dome in 2018, Harris had 10 receptions for 164 yards, and Harris had 6 receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.

While he doesn’t have the stats that the receivers do, Tight End Aaron Hackett has 3 touchdown receptions in the past two games.

Senior Moe Neal leads the Orange’s rushing attack, averaging 63.4 yards rushing and 4.4 yards per carry, with 3 trips to the end zone. He is a receiving threat as well, ranking 10th among running backs in the FBS in receptions (14).

On the defensive side of the ball, Senior Middle Linebacker Lakiem Williams is averaging 7.8 tackles per game, which ranks 9th in the ACC. He also has 3.5 sacks.

Redshirt Senior Cornerback Chris Fredrick has 6 passes defended, which ranks 3rd in the ACC.

The Orange have two very dangerous Senior Defensive Ends in Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman. They are the top returning sack tandem in the ACC, combining for 20 in 2018. They are off to a little bit of a slower start (Robinson 2.5/Coleman 2), but can bring the pain on a good day.