Why Syracuse football is relishing being the underdog against North Carolina
The Syracuse-North Carolina opener was thrown together out of necessity when the ACC revised its schedule due COVID-19 concerns.
Both teams have had just about a month to scout and prepare for the other, which is why Orange coach Dino Babers believes this game won’t be any kind of greater referendum on the season.
“This is one of those years where it’s not that you’re not looking at your first opponent — especially when you’re like 21-point dogs,” Babers said at a press conference this week. “But you really have to look at what you’re doing and to make sure that your guys have a grip on what you’re doing.”
Syracuse is coming off a 5-7 season last year. The last time the Orange visited Chapel Hill they came away with a 49-47 triple overtime win during the 2003 season opener.
Here’s a look at the Orange:
Three Syracuse players to watch on offense
▪ Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito. UNC fans may remember DeVito rallied the Orange to a 40-37 double overtime win in 2018, which sparked his career.
▪ Running back Jawhar Jordan took a redshirt last season after playing in just four games, but has enough potential that he won out the starting job against UNC.
▪ Wide receiver Taj Harris is the leading receiver returning with 37 catches last season and an average of 15.1 yards per catch.
What the Orange does on offense
Babers said the Orange is a lot like Carolina offensively. It will run a lot of run-pass option plays and will try to pop deep throws off play-action passes. Last season, nearly a third of all of of Syracuse’s passing touchdowns came from 40 yards or more.
Babers prefers to go with one featured back who gets the majority of carries. One thing they’ll look to correct from last season, they were notoriously slow starters. The Orange got outscored by 70 points in the first half including 119-59 in the second quarter.
Three players to watch on defense
▪ Defensive back Andre Cisco is the active leader in all of FBS with 12 interceptions and an Associated Press preseason All-American.
▪ Defensive back Trill Williams played cornerback and was their nickel back his first two years, but may lineup at safety on Saturday.
▪ Defensive end Josh Black, a fifth-year senior, has started more games (25) than anyone else on defense, including all 12 games last season.
What the Orange does on defense
Syracuse had one of the worst defenses in the league last season. It finished 13th in the ACC in total defense, allowing an average of 464 yards per game. Because of that, the Orange welcomed a new defensive coordinator this season. Tony White, who coached cornerbacks at Arizona State last season, is converting them to a 3-3-5 style of defense. White’s calling card is to bring pressure by blitzing often. In their final intrasquad scrimmage of August camp, the defense totaled 10 sacks and four interceptions.
About their coaching
Babers knows most observers are not giving the Orange much of a chance to pull off an upset in Chapel Hill on Saturday against North Carolina. Babers, though, is not one of them.
“I’m just glad there’s always faith — belief without evidence — that every once in a while things happen not the way they’re supposed to happen,” Babers said. “Mathematically there’s a chance. Dumb and Dumber right? So you’re telling me I have a chance.” He’ll be loose on the sidelines and Syracuse as a team is likely to reflect its coach.
What UNC will need to do to beat Syracuse
The biggest concern for North Carolina entering the opener is the depth of its offensive line. Head coach Mack Brown lamented the fact that linemen wouldn’t get a chance to cut block until they were playing in a real game. Combine those factors with the fact that Syracuse will come with exotic blitzes to throw off the Heels’ blocking schemes and it could be problematic. But if UNC can ensure Sam Howell time throw, its receivers should be able to overwhelm the Syracuse secondary.
Syracuse at UNC
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
Watch: ACC Network