Despite a blowout loss to Clemson last week, NC State football still has a lot it can accomplish this season. That starts this week with a trip to Syracuse for what should be the toughest game left on the schedule post-Clemson. Technician caught up with sports editor Josh Schafer of Syracuse’s student newspaper, The Daily Orange, over email to break down the matchup.

Technician: The Orange is in the midst of a breakout season, and this is a massive game at home for Syracuse. How did this team get here?

Josh Schafer: Syracuse has closed out games better this year than it has in years past. Before the season, head coach Dino Babers said that he wanted his team to play better and finish in fourth quarters. In years past the Orange has been beat by teams such as Middle Tennessee State in 2017 and USF in 2016, which shouldn’t be losses for an ACC team. Syracuse started the year unbeaten in the nonconference, providing more wiggle room for questionable losses in conference.  

T: What has the fan support been like for a good football team at a traditionally basketball-dominated school?

JS: The fan support hasn’t been great. The attendance peaked with more than 37,00[0] fans for the Florida State game in mid-September. In the two most recent home games the attendance dropped a thousand fans each game. By the time Syracuse mounted its comeback against North Carolina the crowd was rather lackluster. But coming off the double-overtime victory for a 7 p.m. night game, I’d expect a good showing in the Carrier Dome on Saturday. Fans usually show out for the evening games and with the contained noise in the Dome, it doesn’t take many fans to make it a tough atmosphere.

T: Syracuse has an interesting dynamic with the two quarterbacks. How has that impacted the team, and how does the offense change with Eric Dungey vs. Tommy DeVito? 

JS: Up until last Saturday we really hadn’t seen both quarterbacks used without a reason to put DeVito in over Dungey. The four-year starter Dungey is a big body weighing nearly 230 pounds and is more of a threat to run. Meanwhile DeVito, who threw for 181 yards and three touchdowns on four drives, is more of a natural passer. He hit three pass plays for more than 25 yards and likes to push the field vertically. As far as the impact on the team, neither player was made available to the media this week and the situation has been “kept in house.” We’ll find out Saturday what the quarterback controversy has done to Syracuse. 

T: Who are some other key players?

JS: Defensive ends Alton Robinson (six sacks) and Kendall Coleman (seven) both rank in the top 30 in the country for sacks on the season. The two often feed off each other’s success and in games Syracuse has played well, including the Clemson loss, the Orange has lived in its opponents’ backfield. With Ryan Finley and North Carolina State’s offensive line not allowing many sacks it’ll be an interesting matchup to watch.

T: What are the Orange’s strengths and weaknesses?

JS: Syracuse is a team that plays fast on offense and is normally successful there. Outside of the Clemson loss, SU has scored 30 points or more in each of its games. On the flip side, Syracuse’s run defense and ability to stop the big play has been shaky this season. Syracuse’s allows 416.4 yards per game, 94th in the nation.

T: How does Syracuse matchup with NC State?

JS: Syracuse’s passing defense ranks higher than its rush defense but that’s largely contingent on getting to the quarterback. If the Orange can’t get to Finley, like most quarterbacks with time in the pocket, he’ll pick SU apart through the air. Offensively, North Carolina State’s poor pass defense could lead to opportunities for Syracuse through the air, particularly if Tommy DeVito plays.

T: Do you think Syracuse likes that NC State is coming off a blowout loss to Clemson and could be down on itself, or is worried about a potentially very angry Wolfpack team?

JS: At Dino Babers’ press conference Monday, he mentioned North Carolina State “wanting to take it out on someone else.” But I don’t know how much further I look into that. The players certainly didn’t display a sense of worry this week about NC State being angry. SU seems to be more focused on the fact that NC State enters the Carrier Dome as a one-loss team.

T: What is your prediction for this game?

JS: If Syracuse wins a game in the Dino Babers era, it’s always high scoring. I think the Orange ride the wave from a week ago and pull out 45-37. Syracuse ended the North Carolina game on a high note and looked every bit of the team that opened the season 4-0. With a night game atmosphere at home, Syracuse will need to score early to keep the Dome a hostile environment. A weak pass defense from North Carolina State allows that and the Orange prevail in a close game.