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Syracuse Football: Red-hot Orange travel to Wake Forest

By Dana Becker

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Eric Dungey #2 of the Syracuse Orange passes the ball during the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 9, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Eric Dungey #2 of the Syracuse Orange passes the ball during the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 9, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Don’t look now, but Syracuse football has made a rapid rise into the Top-25 as they head on the road to face Wake Forest in an ACC contest this Saturday.

The Orange have picked up back-to-back victories, including a thrilling 51-41 triumph over NC State at home last week. They are now 3-2 over the last five, scoring 37 points in each of the past three games.

For the Demon Deacons, they snapped a two-game losing skid by putting up 56 points on Louisville on the road last week, improving to 2-3 over the last five. Two of those losses came to national title contenders Clemson and Notre Dame.

Syracuse ‘s Eric Dungey has battled injuries and some up-and-down play to still post over 2,300 total yards this year. Dungey has thrown for 1,844 yards with 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

On the other side of the field, Wake Forest’s freshman Sam Hartman has 1,709 yards passing and 14 touchdowns, with sensational sophomore receiver Greg Dortch recording 60 receptions for 751 yards and five scores.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Syracuse vs. Wake Forest contest:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 3
Time: Noon ET
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Venue: BB&T Field.
TV: ACC Network
Live Stream: ACC Network | Fubo TV

Keys to Victory

Balance has been the name of the game for Wake Forest this year, as the Demon Deacons are throwing for 223 yards and running for almost 233. They should be able to exploit the Syracuse defense, which is allowing 432 yards, but can they stop the Orange at all?

The answer to that question is very, very doubtful. Wake Forest is allowing 37 points and 503 yards from scrimmage per game. Louisville scored 35 last week, Florida State posted 38, Clemson exploded for 63 and Notre Dame racked up 56 points against them in the last five games.

Syracuse is in much the same boat, allowing 41, 37 and 44 points in the last three games. Whichever defense decides to make a stop or two – or cause a turnover or two – should be the winner this Saturday.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of OddsShark

Point Spread: Syracuse -6
Over/Under: 75

Prediction

Look for the Orange to be able to get just enough stops and turnovers to pull out the victory and improve to 7-2 on the year. Syracuse’s ability to control the clock and end drives with a touchdown instead of a field goal will be the difference in this one.

Final Score: Syracuse 38, Wake Forest 35

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