We’re going going back back to Cali
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Syracuse Orange football (6-3, 3-3) is set to take its final - and longest - road trip of the regular season this weekend, as SU will travel to the Bay Area and face the California Golden Bears (5-4, 1-4). Both teams have ridden on the back of strong quarterback play this season, and it's gotten one bowl eligible for the third straight year and the other a win away from getting their own 13th game.
Here’s what we’re watching for:
Kevin: Kyle McCord vs Nohl Williams
Williams enters the game as the NCAA leader with seven interceptions (three have come in ACC play) while McCord is tied for the NCAA lead with 12 interceptions. Cal hasn’t been that strong against the pass in ACC games giving up 271 yards per game so far, so if McCord can avoid the costly turnovers this week Syracuse should be able to move the ball through the air. With the Golden Bears holding ACC opponents to 3.1 yards per carry, don’t look for the Syracuse running game to be suddenly strong in this one.
Max: Keep the Bears’ defenders in check
Don’t let its 1-4 conference record fool you; Cal has arguably the best defense in the ACC (19.3 points allowed, fewest in conference). The Bears also force the third most turnovers in the country (22), and like Kevin said, they control the ground game. With such a pass-heavy offense, the Orange offense needs to play mistake-free football, or this will be the Pitt game all over again.
Dom: No freebie possessions
Similar to Max, Cal’s defense primarily serves as the engine for the offense by giving the Golden Bears more ideal field position. As inconsistent as the defense has been in moments during the year, Cal doesn’t have a consistent offense of its own. Simply put: Syracuse will win this game by controlling the clock, putting points on the board (and not leaving any off) and avoiding costly turnovers.
Mike: Don't let Ott get hot
Everyone else is focusing on Orange offense versus Bears defense, so I'll look at the other matchup. Jadyn Ott was one of the best backs in all of college football last season, but an ankle injury has severely limited his production this year. He's still working his way back and if there's a perfect "get right" matchup for him, it's probably SU coming off a game where they were completely exposed by BC's ground game. Fernando Mendoza is a solid QB but he's not used to throwing nearly as much as McCord, so stack the box often, stop the run, and force him to make mistakes.
