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Miami Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Syracuse in Week 8

By Connor Muldowney

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 14: Travis Homer #24 of the Miami Hurricanes rushes during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sun Life Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 14: Travis Homer #24 of the Miami Hurricanes rushes during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sun Life Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Miami football will host the suddenly-hot Syracuse Orange on Saturday afternoon and here’s everything you need to know.

For the second straight season under Mark Richt, Miami football is off to a red-hot start. Last season, the Hurricanes began the year 4-0 and looked like true ACC contenders, but a loss to Florida State spiraled the season out of control as they lost the next four games. Miami finished the year with five straight wins to salvage a nine-win campaign.

So far this season, the Hurricanes are 5-0 with a 3-0 start to ACC play, including a big win over Florida State on the road. Junior quarterback Malik Rosier has filled in nicely for Brad Kaaya, passing for 1,371 yards and 12 touchdowns with only three picks. However, this team will have to move forward without top rusher Mark Walton who suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

Syracuse, on the other hand, is coming off a huge win over the nation’s No. 2 team, and defending national champion, Clemson. The Orange, led by head coach Dino Babers, believed they could pull off the upset last Friday night and they did just that, shocking the college football world. Syracuse improved to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in ACC action.

They head into another contest against a ranked opponent and are major underdogs yet again. However, as long as Eric Dungey is passing the ball and Steve Ishmael is receiving, the Orange will be tough to stop. Dungey has thrown for 2,080 yards and 12 touchdowns with four picks while Ishmael has 62 catches for 804 yards and four scores.

Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Miami vs. Syracuse game:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla.
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Slowing down Syracuse’s passing attack will be key No. 1 for Miami. Dungey is known for slinging the ball at a high rate, so this defensive backfield needs to avoid fatigue. Richt needs to have a rotation going with fresh guys at his disposal. Offensively, getting Travis Homer involved like he was last week against Georgia Tech will be important. The sophomore running back is gaining confidence and it’s time to lean on him again.

For Syracuse, keeping the Dungey-to-Ishmael connection going will be important. Miami’s secondary ranks No. 38 in the country so it will be crucial for these two to connect early and often and keep this defensive backfield off-center. Defensively, the Orange will need to force the Hurricanes to beat them with Rosier’s arm. While he’s a solid passer, he’s not elite yet. Force him into some uncomfortable positions by stacking the box and stopping Homer.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete first round after Week 7

Prediction

Travis Homer is going to be just too much for Syracuse’s defense. The sophomore running back excelled in his first extended action against Georgia Tech in Week 7 and he will do so again in Week 8 vs. Syracuse. Expect him to go for 150 yards yet again with two more scores while Malik Rosier throws for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Eric Dungey will still pass for over 300 yards, but it won’t be enough as most of it comes in garbage time.

Final Score: Syracuse 20, Miami 34

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