No. 18 Miami Hurricanes vs. Syracuse Orange: How to watch, what to know, 3 keys
The No. 19 Miami Hurricanes (6-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) host the Syracuse Orange (3-6, 1-5 ACC) on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.
Here is what you need to know about the matchup.
How can I watch the Miami Hurricanes vs. Syracuse Orange game?
The game will be televised on the ESPN and available to stream on the ESPN app.
Who is favored in the Miami Hurricanes vs. Syracuse Orange game?
The Hurricanes are a 28.5-point favorites over Syracuse, according to Odds Shark as of Friday morning. The over/under is 46 points.
What is the history between the Miami Hurricanes and Syracuse Orange?
Miami is 16-8 all-time against Syracuse. This includes a 9-3 mark in Miami, with the Hurricanes winning each of their past four home games against the Orange.
What were the expectations for the Miami Hurricanes and Syracuse Orange entering the season?
Miami was voted to finish second to Clemson in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference.
Syracuse was voted to finish 12th in the ACC.
How has the season gone so far for the Miami Hurricanes and Syracuse Orange?
The Hurricanes swept through their nonconference schedule, with wins over the then-No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, then-No. 18 USF Bulls and Florida Gators. Miami has since alternated wins and loses in its ACC slate, beating Florida State, losing to Louisville, beating Stanford and then losing to SMU.
Syracuse started the season a respectable 3-1, with its only loss in its first four games being its season opener against Tennessee in Atlanta. Since then, injuries have piled up and the Orange has lost five consecutive games, being outscored 167-60 in that span and not scoring more than 18 points in any of those outings.
What are three keys for the Miami Hurricanes against the Syracuse Orange?
Win: It’s as simple as that. UM needs to win its final four games in order to have any shot of reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff. Get on the field, handle business and do what’s needed to stay in the postseason conversation.
Avoid self-inflicted mistakes: Miami’s loss to SMU was as much about it did wrong as it was what the Mustangs did right. The Hurricanes committed a dozen penalties, had five drops, committed two turnovers and messed up field position with a few bad special teams plays. Clean football is critical moving forward.
Don’t get hurt: The Hurricanes had been relatively healthy most of the season. Now, they’re entering the game against Syracuse down multiple starters, including running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. (with wide receiver CJ Daniels, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe all listed as questionable for the game as well).
Who are three Miami Hurricanes players to watch?
Malachi Toney: The wide receiver has been arguably the best true freshman in college football. He leads first-year players nationally in catches (52) and receiving yards (632) entering this week and hasn’t dropped a pass all season. With Daniels’ status up in the air, expect the game-changing Toney to once again be one of Carson Beck’s top targets.
Damari Brown: His play has gone under the radar, but Brown has quietly had a strong season for the Hurricanes as part of their outside cornerback rotation. According to Pro Football Focus, the redshirt sophomore has allowed just four catches on nine targets against him for 63 yards and no touchdowns. With Frederique out, Brown will have an increased role against Syracuse alongside Xavier Lucas and Ethan O’Connor.
CharMar Brown and Jordan Lyle: The duo will be Miami’s primary running backs with Fletcher out. Fletcher has been the Hurricanes’ workhorse and this game will provide a glimpse of whether UM’s depth in the backfield should be as touted as it was heading into the season.
Who are three Syracuse Orange players to watch?
Darrell Gill Jr.: The wide receiver is tied for Syracuse’s team lead with five touchdown catches and ranks second with 459 receiving yards and third with 27 catches.
Kevin Jobity Jr.: The defensive lineman leads Syracuse with six tackles for loss and five sacks
Demetres Samuel Jr.: The true freshman defensive back paces the Orange’s secondary with eight pass breakups.
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