Miami vs Syracuse Prediction, Preview: Can the Orange Upset the ACC Title Race?

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 29, 2024 3:23 AM ET

This is it. This has the potential to be the biggest game in the CFP mix outside of Texas at Texas A&M.

If Miami beats Syracuse, that’s it. The 11-1 Hurricanes are in the ACC Championship - and most likely the CFP - with a win here no matter what happens next against SMU.

But if Syracuse wins, Clemson is in the ACC title game against SMU, and then Miami is probably out at 10-2.

Got all of that?

The Orange play close, tight games but they’ve figured out how to win in the first season under Fran Brown. Miami gets off the okay starts and kicks it in late - it’s a whole lot of fun.

Miami vs Syracuse: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
How To Watch: ESPN
Venue: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY
Teams: Syracuse (8-3), Miami (10-1)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
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Why Miami Will Win

Can Syracuse handle the late surge?

The Miami offense has been fine over the first three quarters. The team outscored opponents 118 to 57, and the defense has been solid in the third quarter, but it’s the fourth when the team takes over - the Hurricanes outscore teams 160 to 48 in the final frame.

Syracuse has been outscored 88-82 in fourth quarters.

But in this, it’s about the run defense. Syracuse was held to fewer than 40 rushing yards in the three losses and ran for 68 yards or more in the eight wins.

Miami’s run defense is third in the ACC and allowed fewer than 100 yards six times.

Why Syracuse Will Win

This is one of the few teams able to keep up the pace thanks to a high-powered passing game that puts up yards in chunks averaging over 350 passing yards per game.

Miami has faced plenty of good offenses, but absolutely nothing like this outside of what Louisville can crank out.

It had problems with the Cardinal’s Tyler Shough, who threw for 342 yards and four scores in the firefight with the Hurricanes. Kyle McCord is the nation’s leading passer averaging 359 yards per game …

Miami vs Syracuse: Who Will Win?

And Cam Ward is No. 2 averaging 343 yards per game. This is going to be wild.

Both teams will bomb away in one of the most exciting and important games of the season. Ward will throw for well over 300 yards, but here’s the crazy part - Syracuse is 0-3 the three times the other side couldn’t throw.

The Orange are 8-0 and allowing over 180 yards, and 0-3 when giving up fewer.

It’s the call made when the schedules first came out, and there’s no turning back now.