A matchup of strength against strength is set for Truist Field on Saturday, as the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons (6-4, 2-4 ACC) and their outstanding passing offense welcome the No. 22 Syracuse University Orange (6-4, 3-3 ACC) and their stifling aerial defense.
The Demon Deacons are 10-point favorites, and the total is 56.Syracuse is coming off a crushing 38-3 loss against No. 25 Florida State at JMA Wireless Dome last Saturday, their fourth straight defeat. Garrett Shrader threw for 65 yards. Sean Tucker ran 14 times for 52 yards.
Oronde Gadsden II caught one pass for 29 yards. Wake Forest dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 36-34 to No. 15 North Carolina at Truist Field. Sam Hartman was 18 of 31 for 320 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. Justice Ellison carried 16 times for 81 yards. Taylor Morin scored once. He caught five receptions for 106 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Demon Deacons won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 40-37 overtime victory in October. Sam Hartman threw three touchdowns for Wake Forest, as A.T. Perry scored three times. Garrett Shrader tossed two touchdowns and ran for another one for Syracuse.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Orange are averaging 27.3 points per game for the season, 73rd in FBS, and they are facing a Demon Deacons defense that has surrendered 28.2 PPG (84th). Meanwhile, Wake Forest has scored 36.6 points a game this season, 18th in the nation, and Syracuse is allowing 20.4 PPG (25th).
The Orange rank 100th in the country in passing yards per game (204.3) and 76th in rushing (143.6), while the Demon Deacons are 98th in passing yards allowed per game (252.6) and 58th against the run (142.0).
Wake Forest has been one of the nation’s top passing teams, averaging 309.7 passing yards per game (13th), while ranking 95th in rushing yards (128.0). Syracuse’s defense has been equally impressive through the air, as the Orange are 9th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (168.2). Against the run, the Orange are 71st (150.0).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through nine games, Garrett Shrader has thrown for 14 touchdowns (5 INT) and 189.0 yards per game to lead Syracuse in passing. In two away games this season, he has four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 229.5 yards passing.
Sean Tucker leads the team in rushing with an average of 82.9 yards a game over 10 games. He has seven touchdowns on the ground and two through the air.
Oronde Gadsden II is the Orange’s leading receiver with 77.8 yards a game and six TDs. Sam Hartman has 28 passing touchdowns (10 INT) with 304.8 yards per game through nine games to lead Wake Forest. In five home games this season, he has thrown for 19 TDs (4 INT) and an average of 308.2 yards.
Justice Ellison has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 53.4 yards a game through 10 games. He has four touchdowns. A.T. Perry has been the primary target in the Demon Deacons’ aerial attack. He has seven touchdowns and a 77.4 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Foottball Pick:
Syracuse (+270)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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