Syracuse football (3-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) tries to snap a three-game losing skid this weekend against No. 7 Georgia Tech (7-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) in Atlanta Saturday. SU enters this matchup off a 30-13 loss to Pittsburgh at home last week, and now faces its highest-ranked foe of the year.
The Yellow Jackets sit atop the ACC as its only unbeaten team, with the program ranked the highest it's been in 11 years. The offense is led by dual-threat quarterback Haynes King, who rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 27-18 victory over Duke. The senior averages 14 rush attempts per game, and is second in the conference in total yards on the ground, only behind NC State running back Hollywood Smothers. The signal caller’s 6’3, 215 pound frame could present challenges to the SU run defense.
10+ rushing TDs. Every. Season. 😤@haynes_king10 #StingEm 🐝 pic.twitter.com/LJMJzRWrkg
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) October 21, 2025
Meanwhile, Syracuse has not had sufficient production from its redshirt sophomore quarterback Rickie Collins in his three starts thus far after previous QB Steve Angeli went down with a season-ending achilles injury. Collins has thrown eight interceptions (the most in the ACC), compared to just five touchdowns. Three of those picks came last week vs. Pitt.
“We have to grow in reference to putting points on the board. Putting together drives that either end in field goals or touchdowns,” SU head coach Fran Brown said earlier this week.
The past three games have been a stark contrast to the beginning of the season. In games that Angeli started, ‘Cuse averaged 38 points per game. Under Collins, that number has dipped to 11 points per game.
Collins’ struggles prompted Brown to put freshman Luke Carney in the game at quarterback for a drive last week, before going back to his original starter. It’s sparked more discussion as to who should be under center going forward.
“If the coaching staff felt that he was gonna be the one to spark us, I mean, I was all for it. Whatever it takes for us to win,” Collins said, reacting to his brief benching.
The ray of hope for the ‘Cuse is that the defense penetrated the backfield plenty of times last week, racking up seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss against Pitt. Defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. especially shined, with 2.5 sacks and five solo tackles. Disrupting Georgia Tech’s offense will be of utmost importance this week.
Syracuse’s season is at a crossroads, but it has an opportunity to pull off a major upset this week and steer the season back in the right direction. Coach Brown emphasizes the importance of staying strong when things are seemingly off the rails.
“We’re gonna fight ‘til the end, right, we’re gonna play and compete. I think that this is when you find out who’s a real football coach and who isn’t…This is also an opportunity for me to teach players about life, and about faith and believing in themselves.”
Syracuse and No.7 Georgia Tech battle from Atlanta this Saturday at noon. Tune into 88.3 starting at 11:30 for McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff.