Two ACC powerhouses clash on Saturday night when the 15th-ranked N.C. State Wolfpack take on the surprisingly undefeated 18th-ranked Syracuse Orange
#15 N.C. State Wolfpack (5-1) at #18 Syracuse Orange (5-0)
@ JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY
How to Watch:
- Date: Saturday, October 15th
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ACC Network
Betting Stats:
- Spread: CUSE -3.5
- Over/Under: 42.5 points
Matchup:
Despite the loss to Clemson, N.C. State remains as competitive as ever in the ACC’s Atlantic Division with a golden opportunity to boost its resume against an undefeated Syracuse unit. As was true against East Carolina and Florida State, the Wolfpack may need another miracle to walk out of the JMA Wireless Dome with a 6-1 record.
Respect has been hard to come by for both programs this season, each holding a respectable spot in the AP Poll but not receiving the praise that often comes along with it. For N.C. State, offensive woes and a lack of aggressiveness have kept the Pack relying on last-second heroics to secure wins. Syracuse finds itself in a similar situation, owning a pair of victories over Purdue and Virginia that were decided by three points or less.
On paper, the Wolfpack matches up well against Syracuse’s rushing-oriented offensive attack led by Sean Tucker. Of the three games the Orange have played against Power Five opponents, Tucker struggled to find a groove in all of them except Louisville, who currently sits second to last in the Atlantic. Pair those struggles with N.C. State’s top-30 run defense and Tucker could be due for another disappointing tweet.
While many would argue that Clemson has one of the best defenses in the nation, Syracuse stacks up as the best unit the Wolfpack has faced this season. Currently ranked 10th in FBS in total defense, the Orange are only allowing an average of 271.6 yards per game to opposing offenses. For an N.C. State squad that was already struggling to find any rhythm with the ball and now has to answer questions about who will take the field under center after Devin Leary’s injury, Syracuse is in a position to keep the Wolfpack at bay offensively.
After losing Leary against the Seminoles, N.C. State turned to graduate transfer Jack Chambers who did just enough to pull out a miracle win at home. It was made clear that there was no backup plan if Leary were to go down with an injury after Chambers stepped in to only attempt one pass in nearly a quarter and a half of football. What he didn’t do with his arm, he did with his legs, however, picking up massive first downs to get Chris Dunn in range to win the game.
Last week’s performance doesn’t tell the whole story for Chambers, who had plenty of success in the passing game during his time with Charleston Southern. N.C. State’s offense will look very different against Syracuse, having a true dual-threat quarterback and potentially revitalizing a unit that has been nothing more than lackluster thus far.
N.C. State enters Saturday’s matchup holding a 13-2 record against the Orange all-time and has gotten the best of Syracuse in the last three meetings between the programs. Since the pairing became a yearly occurrence in 2013, N.C. State has gone 7-2 against Syracuse, with a loss at home and one on the road. Roster-wise, the teams are extremely similar to what they were a year ago when the Pack dismantled the Orange 41-17 in Raleigh, but with the Wolfpack’s previously mentioned quarterback uncertainties and Garrett Shrader’s newfound confidence for Syracuse, things could look a lot different on Saturday.
Players to Know:
Jack Chambers – N.C. State, QB
2021 stats: 2,967 yards, 24 total touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 55.2% completion percentage
If Leary’s rehab injury forces him to miss a game, N.C. State will more than likely have Chambers step up to fill his spot. The graduate transfer spent his undergraduate years at Charleston Southern, putting FCS opponents on notice with his ability as a passer and a rushing threat. His second-half performance against Florida State would suggest that his arm talent may be lacking, but make no mistake; with a full week of practice reps with the first team, Chambers could revive what has been a stagnant Wolfpack passing game.
Drake Thomas – N.C. State, LB
2022 stats: 46 total tackles, four TFLs, one sack, three passes defended
It seems there’s a revolving door regarding who will come out as N.C. State’s top linebacker in any given week. With Isaiah Moore and Payton Wilson to either side of him, Thomas is consistently impressing despite the ability of his teammates to do the same. Last week, Thomas earned ACC Linebacker of the Week and the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week honors and will look to do the same as he attempts to shut down a powerful Syracuse rushing attack.
Shawn Tucker – Syracuse, RB
2022 stats: 546 rushing yards, 19 receptions, 184 receiving yards, six total touchdowns
N.C. State has excelled at shutting down opposing running backs, but none stack up to the talent Tucker possesses in the backfield. Edging out Clemson’s Will Shipley as the lead vote-getter for Preseason All-ACC honors among running backs, Tucker has lived up to the hype by playing a massive role in the Orange’s hot start. Give the third-year standout an inch and he’ll take a mile, something the stout Wolfpack defense will need to be mindful of if it hopes to walk out of Syracuse with a win.
Garrett Shrader – Syracuse, QB
2022 stats: 1,224 yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception, 70.9% completion percentage
Breezing past the marks he left a year ago in 12 games as the Syracuse starter, Schrader has turned a new leaf under center. Leaving his inaccuracy and turnover prowess at the door to begin the 2022 season, the Mississippi State transfer has turned the Orange’s offense into a real threat in the conference. If N.C. State can shut Tucker down, Shrader has proven more than capable of stepping up to make impact plays this year. He could easily have a field day against an N.C. State secondary that’ll be without Shyheim Battle for a half and could be missing Tyler Baker-Williams.
Key Injuries:
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Devin Leary: N.C. State, QB: Shoulder Injury, day-to-day
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Trent Pennix: N.C. State, TE: Wrist injury, questionable Saturday
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Devin Carter: N.C. State, WR: Undisclosed injury, probable Saturday
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Demie Sumo-Karngbaye: N.C. State, RB: Undisclosed injury, probable Saturday
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Tyler-Baker Williams: N.C. State, DB: Undisclosed injury, questionable Saturday
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