I vividly remember the last time we played Syracuse, it was at home with lots of snow in the stands and we lost another Weis heartbreaker special. That was not a good day.
But today will be as we take care of business again in a game we should win. Week off should have allowed some healing and we get Collinsworth back which should strengthen the secondary. Latest line I saw this morning was 9 points which seems a bit tight for a #8 team against an unranked team but there you go. Interesting how some of the top teams have faltered early in the year, though the SEC is getting its usual outsized attention. UCLA battered ASU the other night which surprised me; took a little luster off the Sun Devils. The way things are going (and if we keep winning), we have a chance to be favored in all our games except FSU. And they came close to dropping one against Clemson. Hard to predict how the playoff committee is going to factor in all the dynamics but I like our chances of making some noise if we keep playing great.
I read that Brian Kelly is concerned about all the night games wearing on players, how about the fans! One of the consequences of being a draw at the ticket window and on the air is more night games and thank goodness we still protect 5 day games at home because without the NBC contract we probably play at night all the time. I am sure the boys at the Peacock would love more Saturday night contests in addition to the two we give them each year already. I think the ad revenue is significantly different compared to 3:30 Eastern. Well, things keep changing in the evolving college football landscape.
Have not read much about Syracuse but believe they have a talented dual threat QB. Those guys usually give us fits and we might be rusty after the week off. Syracuse defense has good stats as well. But I also like the vibe on this team, lots of people contributing and only one guy with star power that seems to have his head screwed on straight at the moment. Given the film room coaching that must have occurred after the Purdue game, I am thinking we look good tonight. I will be interested to see the crowd mix given all the Irish fans in the NY/NJ area, not really a home game for Syracuse but they will show up on the field and in the stands.
Prediction:
ND 38, Syracuse 20
GO IRISH!
The Godfather.
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We have arrived in the Garden State and are regrouping at our hotel near MetLife Stadium. As some of you know, I have my MA from Syracuse & my husband is an SU grad. My son is a sophomore trumpet player in The Pride of the Orange. With all that going on, so many people have asked me who I'll favor today. After sitting through that ice cold, miserable game in 2008, I'm ready to see the Irish jump all over the Orange! ND was supposed to win that game & came up short at the end. I certainly don't want to see that again.
However, Syracuse has an amazing ability to ambush teams that don't expect a tough game, so we'll see who shows up ready to play. If SU continues to be tentative in play calling, our boys should be able to capitalize on that. Penalties can be another issue for the Orange, so if the flags fly, that should be good for
Good for ND as well (unless we're screwing up!) apparently I'm having tech trouble with the iPhone.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to a good game although I, like Godfather, wish kickoff was earlier. Late games take a toll, and tomorrow I send my husband to Chicago. After dropping him off at the Newark airport I will drive back to beautiful central New York where the leaves are getting to peak color.
My prediction: ND 27 SU 17. Go Irish!
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