Syracuse Orange football: predictions and poll vs. Virginia Tech

The Syracuse Orange (5-2, 2-2) welcome the Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3, 3-1) for the first game in the JMA Dome since September. What will happen when these old rivals collide at noon on the CW? This is what we think….

Kevin (5-2): Syracuse 31, Virginia Tech 27

There’s no denying what happened in Pittsburgh last week, but I trust Kyle McCord and the offense to get some action tomorrow. I also trust that the return of Marlowe Wax gives the Dutch three defenders who can keep Kyron Drones on the edge. Wax, Justin Barron and Fadil Diggs will prevent the Hokies’ quarterback from using his legs to beat the Orange. I think the defense creates two turnovers, putting the offense in short field situations and Trebor Pena finds his way into the end zone on both of these.

Dom (5-2): Syracuse 35, Virginia Tech 28

Without a doubt the most difficult match to predict all year. I would have said weeks ago that Syracuse would be the clear favorite. Then the Pitt game happened, and now Virginia Tech enters the Dome with the hottest stretch of the season yet. I went back and forth on this, and Virginia Tech’s big strengths (ball control and toughness on the defensive line) will be a headache to deal with, but a strong home environment and a bounce-back performance on offense will lead to a shootout win.

Mike (4-3): Syracuse 37, Virginia Tech 31

The Hokies are hot at the right time and this should go down to the wire, just as several games have already been, but with the right plans the Orange can squeeze this one out. Antwaun Powell-Ryland is without a doubt a beast, so it’s important to run as many plays to the weak side as possible. The VT secondary is better than Miami and Rutgers’ inflated stats can show, so McCord needs to stay calm, work underneath them and wear them down. Pitt had a lot of worst performances in the season and this is a perfect recovery environment.

Max (5-2): Virginia Tech 30, Syracuse 24

These teams are going in opposite directions on this one, with Tech on a three-game win streak and the Orange getting demolished by Pitt. I had high hopes for Syracuse last week, but after ripping my heart out, I can’t live up to them here, even at home. The Hokies have played some of the toughest opponents in the country (19th in SOS compared to SU’s 74th), and their balanced offensive plan will give them the win on Saturday.

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Now it’s your turn…