Syracuse Orange football: Predictions and poll vs Cal

Syracuse Orange football on the CW, Vol. 3 is almost here and we’re firing off our predictions for when SU ​​takes on the California Golden Bears. The Orange (6-3, 3-3) lost a close one to BC last weekend, while the Bears (5-4, 1-4) are back-to-back winners, including their first conference game as a member of the ACC.

Kickoff is at 3pm (12 local) and here’s how we think things will go down in the hills of Berkeley:

Kevin (6-3): Syracuse 34, Cal 31

I don’t have a good feeling about this game at all. Cal has some strong metrics, but they’ve blown some big prospects, found a way to lose to State of Florida and relied on turnovers to hold up last week against Wake. On the other hand, Syracuse keeps stepping on rakes in every game and hasn’t totaled 60 minutes all year. For me, it will come back to the Orange finding a way to come back after each loss, and I think this week will finally get off to a fast start and ride the duo of Kyle McCord and Oronde Gadsden to an exciting shoot-out- victory.

Max. (5-4): Cal 41, Syracuse 28

I can’t back Syracuse in this one, especially after allowing 37 points to a one-dimensional Boston College crime. Cal is much more polished than BC on both sides of the ball and it will be extremely difficult for the Orange offense to establish runs. We’ll see pass-heavy attacks from both sides, but the Bears will wear down SU’s defense in the second half and keep Fran Brown off the clock for a few more days.

Mike (5-4): Cal 38, Syracuse 31

SU hasn’t had a losing streak yet, but I fear it will end with the Bears. McCord’s three losses have all come as he’s been sacked four times, so as long as Cal can keep up the pressure against a struggling Orange o-line, he’ll be in danger of taking hits or leaving balls hanging in the air for a hungry secondary to throw oneself over.

Verdict (6-3): Syracuse 27, Cal 20

I’ll be completely honest: this game could go in 100 different directions, and you can convince me that any of them could happen. What we do know is this: a) the Golden Bears’ offense isn’t elite, b) Cal will have McCord under pressure all game, c) Syracuse has responded pretty well after each loss (albeit two of those wins came in overtime), and d) that winning in the trenches will make or break this game. Put all that together and I’d say Syracuse loses, but I’ll be a homer here and predict the offense will come through in what will be a very weird game either way.

Now it’s your turn: