A road win over Syracuse would be a great start toward salvaging Notre Dame’s lost season.
It has not been easy for Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame, but a huge road victory over Syracuse would certainly help him salvage a trying first year at the helm in South Bend.
At 4-3, the Fighting Irish need two more wins over their next five to go bowling. With down historic rivals Navy and Boston College still left on the schedule, Notre Dame should be able to get to 6-6 at the very worst. However, there is a great opportunity to be had on Saturday. If the Irish were to hand the Orange a second straight loss, it could propel them to dangerous spoiler status.
Keep in mind that Notre Dame’s two other games are at home vs. Clemson and at USC this season.
A road win over Syracuse will help change the narrative of a down Notre Dame
Although the Irish have an impressive win over a ranked opponent already in ACC Coastal favorite North Carolina, everybody knows the better teams in the ACC reside over in the Atlantic this season. Syracuse nearly beat Clemson in Death Valley last week. The Tigers benched quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei in favor of Cade Klubnik. As it turned out, it worked quite well for little ole Clemson.
For now, the Orange remain a serious New Year’s Six bowl candidate, desperately hoping Clemson screws up vs. either Louisville or Miami. While that is not happening, Notre Dame and potentially South Carolina could catch the Tigers by their toes. If Notre Dame can beat Syracuse on the road, then they will have a real chance at upsetting Clemson at home in a few weeks. It could happen…
As far as the USC game is concerned, there is no margin for error left for the Trojans. They need to win out and do so convincingly to have any realistic shot at the College Football Playoff. USC still has to play cross-town rival UCLA, as well as traditional rival Notre Dame. UCLA will not be easy. Maybe Notre Dame will not be either? Of course, the Irish may be pulp at the hands of the Orange.
Overall, Saturday’s game at Syracuse is a litmus test for how the rest of the Irish’s season could shake out. If they win on the road, they have an outside at beating Clemson at home or USC on the road. Should they play the Orange tough, they still might have a chance. If Dino Babers’ squad bounces back and the Irish run out of luck, they could lose to Boston College or Navy to finish 5-7.
Something has to give in Syracuse, so will the Orange be squeezed or will the jig be up on the Irish?
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