The Daily Nole

FSU Football: A First Look at Syracuse

Phil Kelly/FSU athletics

One team will look to take a big step toward bowl-eligibility in Tallahassee on Saturday and it won’t be Florida State. It will be Syracuse, who comes in with an even record of 4-4 and 2-2 in ACC play.

The Orange have averaged a loss by a margin of greater than 32 points against FSU since entering the ACC in 2013, including 45-14 at the Carrier Dome last season. Under second-year head coach Dino Babers however, Syracuse may have its best team since joining the conference.

On Syracuse

Record: 4-4 (2-2 ACC)
Offensive Ranks: 29th in yards per game (455), 21st in passing yards per game (295.4), 72nd in rushing yards per game (159.6), 59th in points per game (29.8).
Defensive Ranks: 45th in yards per game allowed (368), 84th in passing yards per game allowed (238.1), 33rd in rushing yards per game allowed (129.8), 53rd in points per game allowed (24.6).
Last Game: Lost at Miami on Oct. 21, 27-19.

On Offense

Syracuse boasts a top 30 national offense and the biggest reason is that quarterback Eric Dungey has finally been able to stay healthy. A dual-threat junior at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Dungey has already eclipsed the 300-yard mark as a passer three times and the 100-yard mark as a rusher twice. Dungey rushed for 100 yards his last time out in a loss to Miami, but was intercepted four times, which equaled his season total coming in. Dungey has accounted for 20 total touchdowns this season and leads the team in passing and rushing. Dontae Strickland, a junior, is the leading rusher among running backs with 403 yards on the ground.

Amba Etta-Tawo may be off to the NFL, but the Orange still have a very good 1-2 punch at the wide receiver position. Senior Steve Ishmael is a big target at 6-2 and 210 pounds and leads the team with 66 grabs for an ACC-best 843 yards and four touchdowns. Ervin Philips is more of a possession receiver with 61 catches for 626 yards and three scores. Ishmael and Philips rank first and second in the ACC in receptions and both are in the top 5 nationally. Ravian Pierce has been a reliable tight end. Syracuse has veteran tackles on the offensive line with one senior and one junior. Inside are two redshirt sophomores and a redshirt freshman. That unit has struggled, allowing 25 sacks this season.

On Defense

The biggest strength for an improved Syracuse defense has to be the linebackers in seniors Paris Bennett and Zaire Franklin. Bennett ranks sixth in the ACC with 75 tackles and leads the Orange with 7.5 stops for loss. The Orange have been much better against the run than the pass this season and a big reason for that is the play of defensive tackle Chris Slayton, who ranks second on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss.

Alton Robinson, a sophomore defensive end, leads the team with two sacks. As a whole, the Orange have got to the opposing quarterback just 10 times all year, which ranks last in the ACC. A secondary that starts three sophomores has had its struggles this season for the Orange. Redshirt senior Jordan Martin is the veteran of the group and has 25 tackles this year. Fellow safety Evan Foster has 27. As a team, the Orange have just four interceptions this year. Among ACC schools, only FSU has fewer.

Special Teams

When it comes to special teams, senior kicker Cole Murphy is having an outstanding season, going 16-for-18 on field goals so far with a long of 53 yards and the only two misses coming from beyond 40 yards. Sterling Hofrichter has averaged better than 43 yards per punt with 13 of his 37 punts being downed inside the 20-yard-line and eight traveling at least 50 yards. The Orange haven’t done much in the return game, but haven’t allowed much either.

Summary

At its best, Syracuse has proven capable of being a very good football team. That was most exemplified by a win over then No. 2 Clemson earlier this season. The Orange however, also lost at home to Middle Tennessee State. Each of Syracuse’s four losses this season have come by nine points or less and three of those losses were to teams currently ranked. FSU should have its hands full on Saturday afternoon.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson

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