The Syracuse Orange (3-1, 1-0) host the Duke Blue Devils (2-2, 1-0) tomorrow. Kickoff is at Noon on the ACC Network and the Blue Devils are 5.5 point favorites on FanDuel.
Kevin (3-1): Syracuse 31, Duke 27
I’m confident that Jeff Nixon will devise a game plan to keep the Orange offense moving the ball. Syracuse has enough skill position talent to help Rickie Collins in his first start. I also think that Darian Mensah will be able to attack the middle of the field against the Orange defense. This feels like a game that will be back and forth, but a sellout crowd and some late-game runs from Yasin Willis are enough for Syracuse to send families to their dinner reservations with a win.
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Casey (2-2): Syracuse 24, Duke 17
With Angeli out the offense may look different, but I think the spread is still over the top in Duke’s favor. Syracuse proved themselves with a complete game against Clemson, and a full week of practice should help Collins find his rhythm as Nixon makes the right adjustments. I like the defense and a sold-out Dome to force a couple of early takeaways against Mensah, and expect the offense to lean more on the run game. In the end, I like the Orange to grind out a lower-scoring win.
Dom (3-1): Duke 27, Syracuse 24
Outside a 19-point outing versus Illinois, Duke’s offense has taken care of business against the rest of its opponents. Syracuse’s defense is coming off arguably its best defensive performance of the season, but Clemson’s offense did have some notable, systematic flaws. Can the Orange do well on that side of the field again? It’s close, but likewise to Syracuse’s wide receiver depth chart, it has plenty of playmakers and Mensah loves to spread the ball out. Syracuse’s offense shows promise under Collins, but comes up just short in the end.
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Max (3-1): Syracuse 30, Duke 27
While the offense won’t be the same without Angeli, Rickie Collins has what it takes to propel the Orange to a win in his first start. Duke’s defense has allowed 33 points in each of its last three games, including 34 to Tulane in its only other road game. The lead changes should come fast and furious, but I see Collins doing just enough to get Syracuse into field-goal range for a Tripp Woody game-winning boot.
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