Two of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s top scoring defenses are set to meet at JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, as the No. 22 Syracuse University Orange (6-3, 3-2 ACC) host the No. 25 Florida State University Seminoles (6-3, 4-3 ACC). The Seminoles are seven-point favorites, and the total is 51.
Florida State is coming off an impressive 45-3 win over No. 25 Miami (FL) at Hard Rock Stadium last Saturday. Jordan Travis was 10 of 12 for 202 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Trey Benson ran 15 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Lawrance Toafili caught three passes for 75 yards.
Syracuse dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 19-9 to No. 24 Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson threw for 120 yards. Sean Tucker carried 10 times for 19 yards. Damien Alford had two receptions for 48 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Seminoles won the only game between the teams last season, a 33-30 victory in October. Jordan Travis threw two touchdowns for Florida State. Garrett Shrader tossed one touchdown and ran for another three for Syracuse.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Seminoles are averaging 33.6 points per game for the season, 35th in FBS, and they are facing an Orange defense that has surrendered 18.4 PPG (15th). Meanwhile, Syracuse has scored 30.0 points a game this season, 58th in the country, and Florida State is allowing 19.8 PPG (22nd).
The Seminoles rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (211.8, 17th), while they are 33rd in passing yards (271.7). The Orange are sixth in passing yards allowed per game (165.8) and 61st against the run (141.1). Syracuse is 89th in the country in passing yards per game (219.8) and 68th in rushing (149.0).
Florida State’s defense could present a challenge through the air, as the Seminoles are 5th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (165.0). Against the run, the Seminoles are 69th (143.4).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through nine games, Jordan Travis has thrown for 17 touchdowns (4 INT) and 251.0 yards per game to lead Florida State in passing. In four away games this season, he has eight TDs (4 INT) and an average of 200.0 yards passing.
Trey Benson leads the team in rushing with an average of 67.9 yards a game over nine games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Johnny Wilson is the Seminoles’ leading receiver with 69.4 yards a game and four TDs.
Garrett Shrader has 14 passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 204.5 yards per game through eight games to lead Syracuse. In six home games this season, he has thrown for 10 TDs (4 INT) and an average of 196.2 yards.
Sean Tucker has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 86.3 yards a game through nine games. He has nine total touchdowns, seven rushing and two receiving.
Oronde Gadsden II has been the primary target in the Orange’s aerial attack. He has six touchdowns and an 83.9 yard per game average through eight appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Syracuse (+220)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
