ISD Game Predictions: Syracuse
It’s Friday again, and that means game prediction time once again. Notre Dame takes on yet another ranked opponent in Syracuse, and it’s important for the Irish to win this game to get back on the right track with the season. Can the Irish win another big game on the road?
Mike Frank
I’m just not sure what to think about this team. I do know on thing about this game, however. Syracuse is going to do everything they can to stop Notre Dame’s rushing attack and make Drew Pyne beat them through the air.
Can the Orange shut down ND’s run game? Will Drew Pyne get back on track this week?
The Orange are a solid, fundamentally sound football team. Notre Dame won’t luck into a win here. It will have to be earned. Having said that, I don’t think Syracuse is as talented as some of the teams Notre Dame has faced and beaten already.
It will be a close game, but I think ND find a way to win this one.
Notre Dame 27, Syracuse 23
Jamie Uyeyama
I think Syracuse is a good, but flawed team. Their flaws are what makes me think Notre Dame can win this game.
They've been bad at stopping the run, and Clemson took control of the game as soon as they focused on running the football against them. I think Notre Dame will lean on that from the jump and won't have to rely as much as Drew Pyne to make plays, which is a good thing given that we have no idea what to expect from him.
I do worry about the Irish stopping the run, though. Add in the fact that Syracuse has an elite back and a dangerous runner at quarterback and it could be a bad mix for a Notre Dame defense that has been hit and miss against the run in 2022.
Ultimately I think this will be a close game and might be one where Notre Dame is behind in the fourth quarter, but not behind enough where they have to rely on Pyne to win it for them. They lean on the running game and squeak out a close one.
Notre Dame 24, Syracuse 20
Andrew Mentock
The Syracuse defense will pose a tough challenge for the Fighting Irish offense this weekend. Notre Dame will be able to run the ball effectively, but several drives will stall due to an inability to convert on third and long.
Ultimately, the difference in the game will come down to a missed field goal or two, with the Irish falling to the Orange in a highly contested, low-scoring matchup. Neither team will eclipse 350 yards of total offense.
Syracuse 20, Notre Dame 17
Christian McCollum
A week after getting a win despite not playing that well, the Irish end up on the other side of that equation.
Notre Dame plays as well as it has since beating BYU and North Carolina, unfortunately, it isn't enough.
The Orange - led by quarterback Garrett Shrader, running back Sean Tucker and receiver Oronde Gadsen - make enough plays in the second half to secure the victory despite a valiant effort from Notre Dame's defense.
The Irish offense looks better and plays a clean game. Drew Pyne looks sharper than he has in recent weeks and the offense finds ways to get Michael Mayer open for another huge day.
Unfortunately, it isn't quite sharp enough and unlike Syracuse, Notre Dame is unable to come up with the plays it needs in the final minutes.
Syracuse 28, Notre Dame 24
Matt Freeman
Notre Dame runs and runs and runs against the Orange to ruin the atmosphere in the former Carrier Dome. But there is also good news for the Irish...Syracuse runs and runs and runs with Sean Tucker, but the Irish are up for the task.
The Irish hold Tucker under 100 yards and Logan Diggs scores three times. Drew Pyne finds a way to hit two timely deep shots including a big play to Chris Tyree.
Notre Dame 24, Syracuse 17
Greg Flammang
For me the formula is simple. If both teams play well, who do I expect to win? I’d expect Notre Dame to win in that circumstance.
Is it reasonable to believe Notre Dame will play well? It is a fact that their best performances have come, A. away from home, and B. when they are either an underdog or a slight favorite. They are a slight underdog in this contest and they are playing on the road. I like Notre Dame to play a good football game.
Should they not, a poor outing eight games into the season would be a convincing data point in the negative for Marcus Freeman’s first full stint as Notre Dame head coach.
Notre Dame 31, Syracuse 21