Louisville Football: Ranking 2018 opponents by difficulty

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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 18: Ervin Phillips #3 of the Syracuse Orange runs with the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Quite the opposite of Wake Forest, Syracuse had a forgettable 2017 season, for the most part. Dino Babers, one of the rising coaches of the ACC, did help lead the Orange past the Clemson Tigers in one of the biggest upsets of the year. Other than that, the Orange finished 4-8.

This one won’t be easy, though, because it’ll take place in that vaunted Carrier Dome where Syracuse pulled off the shocking upset, plus it brings back star quarterback Eric Dungey for his senior season. He passed for 2,495 yards and 14 touchdowns in an injury-plagued season. If he puts a full season together, the Orange’s offense will be scary.

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Leading the run game for the Orange is also Dungey who had nearly 600 yards and nine touchdowns last year, but he may need to cut down the tuck-and-runs to stay healthy.

The offense won’t be an issue, it’s the defense that’s concerning. Syracuse ranked near the bottom of the ACC in almost every major defensive category and was 106th in the nation in total defense while sitting dead-last in the conference in scoring.

Louisville should have no problem putting points on the board, but this could be an old-fashioned shootout.

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