Syracuse football (4-2, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) takes on fourth-ranked Florida State (5-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) Saturday at noon. The skidding Orange will have a tough time finding their footing against the Seminoles.
Just like last year, the ‘Cuse is in the middle of a losing streak with Florida State on the horizon. The 38-3 loss was the fourth loss in a row for Syracuse in 2022. This year, SU heads into Tallahassee after losing its last two matchups to Clemson and North Carolina. In those games, the Orange defense allowed 71 points and 1,033 total yards. At one point, the ‘Cuse was a top-five scoring defense in the nation. Now, it ranks 30th in that category.
The Syracuse defense has another difficult matchup against Florida State’s offense. The Seminoles score almost 43 points per game this season, which ranks as the 6th best in the nation. FSU hasn’t scored less than 30 points this season. According to Syracuse head coach Dino Babers, the most dangerous part of the Seminoles’ attack is quarterback Jordan Travis.
“He will be the best quarterback we play, and it’s really hard for me to say that,” Babers says. “He plays at an extremely high level… I’m not going to enjoy watching him play, but when you get done, he’s one of those guys you do turn on the TV to watch.”
In five games this year, Travis has 14 total touchdowns to just one interception. In last week’s 39-17 victory over Virginia Tech, the senior completed 75% of his throws for 170 yards and two scores. However, the focus of Syracuse’s defense has been on the quarterback’s rushing upside.
Syracuse linebacker Leon Lowery points out Travis’ ability to extend plays and escape the pocket as his strongest attribute.
“Jordan Travis will use his legs and take off,” the redshirt sophomore explains. “We’ve got to be alert of that and be able to play that to our best capability.”
Stopping Jordan Travis is one half of the battle for Syracuse. The Orange offense scored just three touchdowns in the previous two games after averaging 44.25 points in its first four games. The key for the Orange starting strong; something they have not done as of late. SU has scored just 10 points in its last three first halves.
A big reason for this is the discontinuity of the offensive personnel. Ever since Oronde Gadsden’s season ended in week two, the Orange have struggled to find a consistent weapon in the passing game. Quarterback Garrett Shrader has passed for more than 200 yards just once since the All-American went down.
“There’s definitely a couple of guys we could get a couple more yards out of,” the signal caller admits. “I’m absolutely included in that…We just got to go make plays. That’s what it comes down to.”
Shrader was held to a season-low 124 yards through the air last week against No. 12 North Carolina. Fortunately for Orange, the Seminoles allow 238 passing yards per game, the third most in the ACC. Florida State is also ninth in the conference in sacks, but that isn’t for a lack of talent. FSU edge rushers Jared Verse and Kalen DeLoach can cause problems for a banged up Syracuse offensive line.
Verse is a transfer from UAlbany, who has squared off against the ‘Cuse twice. In those games, the defensive end has a sack and a touchdown-preventing chase down tackle. DeLoach on the other end leads the team in sacks with 3.5.
Syracuse will have to overcome overwhelming talent on both sides of the ball to collect its third win against Florida State all-time.
The third ACC matchup for the Orange kicks off Saturday at noon from Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Our coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff on 88.3 FM and waer.org.