Syracuse vs. Colgate Prediction, Game Preview
Syracuse vs. Colgate prediction and game preview for the opening contest of the 2016 season. Find out who's projected to win the matchup between the
Syracuse vs. Colgate prediction and game preview for the opening contest of the 2016 season. Find out who’s projected to win the matchup between the Orange and Raiders.
Syracuse vs. Colgate Game Preview
Broadcast Info
Date: Friday, Sept. 2, 2016
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
Syracuse vs. Colgate Storylines
The Orange will have a new look under Dino Babers, who will bring the hurry-up spread offense to the Carrier Dome. Quarterback Eric Dungey showed his dual-threat capabilities as a freshman, while receiver Steve Ishmael could thrive in the new offense. But it will take time to rebuild the defense, which could see its young secondary exposed.
Meanwhile, the Raiders finished undefeated in Patriot League play and won two playoff games last fall before ultimately falling to Sam Houston State in the FCS quarterfinals. Senior quarterback Jake Melville is back after finishing third in the league in rushing and tossing just two picks, and the defense should once again be stout against the run.
Syracuse vs. Colgate Betting Odds
Spread: Syracuse -28
Over/Under: NA
Matchup to Watch
Brisly Estime vs. Colgate’s punt-coverage team
The Syracuse punt returner is the team’s lone returning all-conference pick, making the media’s third team because of his ability on special teams. Special teams is an area that generally doesn’t get enough reps in practice, and we also see a lot of poor tackling early in the season. The Raiders have to keep an eye on Estime in the return game.
Advantages
Offense: Colgate. Babers will make the Orange fun to watch with his no-huddle offense, but the Raiders have a stellar ground game that helped them go unscathed in the Patriot League last season.
Defense: Colgate. The Raiders allowed just 150.1 yards on the ground last fall, and end Pat Afriyie led the conference in sacks with 9.5 in ’15.
Special Teams: Syracuse. Estime is a real x-factor for the Orange.
Coaching: Syracuse. Dino Babers went a combined 37-16 at Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green, and the expectation is that he will bring back Syracuse to respectability sooner rather than later.
Intangibles: A night crowd at the Carrier Dome for the start of the Babers era will help the squad get off to a fast start.
Syracuse vs. Colgate Prediction
The Raiders will want to control the clock behind Melville and a methodical offensive approach, while the Orange will want to “go go go” with their no-huddle approach. Colgate will stick around throughout the entirety of the contest, but Dungey will make enough plays through the air and on the ground, and he’ll get help from running back Jordan Fredericks, who averaged 5.7 yards per carry as a freshman last season.
Final Score Prediction For Syracuse vs. Colgate: Syracuse 34, Colgate 27
