Syracuse football takes its second trip of the season to the west coast to battle Cal

If there’s one thing that Syracuse football (6-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) knows how to do, it's keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Six of SU’s nine contests this season have been decided by just one score. Two weeks ago, it was a thrilling overtime win against Virginia Tech in front of the Orange faithful. Last week marked the first time since 2014 Syracuse has lost to Boston College in Chestnut Hill. This Saturday however, SU takes just its second ever trip out to Berkeley for a showdown against Cal (5-4, 1-4 ACC).

The Golden Bears have struggled during their first season in the ACC, with just one win over Wake Forest to showcase their talents in the conference. Even so, the poor record doesn’t reflect how close Cal has played ACC opponents this season. Four straight conference games ended in one-score defeats, including a blown 25-point lead against then No. 8 Miami.

A win for Syracuse would push the Orange to seven wins and four in the ACC, numbers that have been reached just one other time since 2018 (2022). In head coach Fran Brown’s first season in charge, he knows that just a few 50/50 plays go differently, SU is already above those two record benchmarks.

“If you go look at our season right now: 4th-and-9 and 4th-and-1, we would be 8-1 right now,” Brown said.

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Both plays that Brown mentions are crucial moments in two of the Orange’s key losses to Stanford and Boston College.

Correcting moments like those would make a win over Cal that much sweeter for Syracuse. But not just for the program itself, but for Brown’s body. The bench boss explained his superstitious ritual after losses to the media on Monday.

“Honestly I have a ritual when we lose, I ain’t even get in the shower until early this morning,” he said. “I just be mad. I just brush my teeth. But I don’t deserve soap.”

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On the Golden Bears side of the tilt, the strengths for Cal play directly into SU’s weaknesses: the run game. Last year, then sophomore Jadyn Ott dominated the backfield with over 1,300 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. This season, Ott has taken a step to the side for sophomore Jaivian Thomas to make a name for himself. The back has over 600 yards and six scores, while averaging six yards per carry. Numbers like that could exploit the difficulties the Orange have stopping the run this year. Syracuse ranks third to last in the ACC in rushing yards allowed per contest.

Gametime from California Memorial Stadium is set for 3:00 EST. Two hours prior to kickoff marks Syracuse men’s basketball's showdown against Youngstown State from the Dome. Tune in for both contests starting at 12:30 with Countdown to Tipoff on 88.3FM and waer.org.