Nov 143 min read

Syracuse Takes on Cal in Atlantic Coast Conference Clash

ACC | Syracuse Oronde Gadsden II — © Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

On Nov. 16, the Syracuse Orange (6-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) will travel to Berkeley, Calif. for a tilt with the Cal Golden Bears (5-4, 1-4) at 3:00 p.m. EST. This is Cal’s first time hosting Syracuse as a conference rival. Currently, Cal is listed as a nine-point favorite.

Syracuse: Avenging a Heartbreaker

The Orange travel out west looking to get the taste of a 37-31 loss to Boston College on Nov. 9 out of their mouths. Quarterback Kyle McCord put together an outstanding day, throwing for 392 yards and 2 touchdowns on 31-of-48 passing, but the Orange defense struggled mightily against the Eagles’ ground game. They surrendered a combined 331 rushing yards to running backs Kye Robichaux (who earned ACC Running Back of the Week honors) and Jordan McDonald.

The Orange were never truly out of it, but a late comeback attempt fell short. An onside kick with just over a minute to go failed after a Jackson Kennedy field goal made it a one-score game.

Cal: Looks for Third Straight Win

The Golden Bears come into this matchup on a two-game win streak after their 46-36 victory over Wake Forest (4-5, 2-3) gave them their first conference win of the season. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza passed the 300-passing-yard milestone this season, throwing for 385 yards and 2 TDs while also running for another TD.

If Cal gets the win on Nov. 16, then it will become bowl-eligible for the second straight season.

Players to Watch: Syracuse

Offense: Entire Receiving Corps

McCord has done a great job of spreading the ball out among his receivers this season, with seven receivers scoring at least two TDs. Jackson Meeks leads his team in receiving yards this season (with 653) and tight end Oronde Gadsden II is coming off a game in which he brought in 9 balls for 114 receiving yards and one TD (and took home the ACC Receiver of the Week honors).

Cal’s secondary had a mixed-bag performance against Wake Forest, intercepting the ball three times but also allowing 274 passing yards. Syracuse's receiving corps is looking to exploit the weaknesses in their opponent's secondary.

Defense: DB Jayden Bellamy

Cal is another pass-heavy team, and defensive back Jayden Bellamy has a chance to take advantage of that. The team leader in interceptions, he had a pick-6 earlier this season and hopes to repeat this against a team that doesn’t shy away from airing the ball out.

Players to Watch: Cal

Offense: RB Jaivian Thomas

Despite a scary injury in a Nov. 2 loss against Oregon, running back Jaivian Thomas not only played but put together a respectable performance against Wake Forest. He ran for 33 yards and one TD on 5 carries. He has a chance for a big day against Syracuse’s run defense, which is 80th in the FBS with 1,400 yards given up on the ground.

ACC | Cal RB Jaivian Thomas — © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Defense: LB Hunter Barth

Hunter Barth sacked Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier twice in their matchup on Nov. 9. Although linebacker Teddye Buchanan is the most recognizable member of Cal’s defense, it will be imperative for lesser-known players like Barth to get into the backfield and disrupt McCord’s rhythm.

Bottom Line

With Syracuse's defensive struggles against the run and Cal's emerging offensive playmakers, this game could be a high-scoring affair. Whereas Cal looks to become bowl-eligible, Syracuse hopes to avoid losing its third game in the last four.