Virginia Tech at Syracuse: Game Preview and Prediction

Syracuse Orange: 5-2 (2-2)

 

Saturday, November 2nd

Virginia Tech (-4) @ Syracuse (+4); o/u53.5

12:00pm ET

The CW Network

JMA Wireless Dome

 

Head Coach: Fran Brown (first season)

Last time out for Syracuse: Pittsburgh 41 – Syracuse 13

Last time against Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech 38 – Syracuse 10

 

On Offense

Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Nixon 

Key Offensive Team Stats for Syracuse:

The Good:

• 50.4% third-down conversion rate (6th nationally)
• 72% fourth-down conversion rate (17th nationally)
• 358.9 passing yards/game (3rd nationally)
• Time of possession: 34:55 (1st nationally)

The Bad:

• 90.3 rushing yards/game (127th nationally)

Eleven interceptions thrown (last in the ACC)

 

Who’s playing QB?

Under center for the Orange will be Ohio State transfer and senior Kyle McCord.At 6’3” and 220lb, McCord has had a productive 2024, helping the ‘Cuse reach five wins through only seven games. Nixon runs a pro-style offense with McCord, as he’s thrown for nearly 2,500 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Given the style of offense that the ‘Cuse run, McCord is not much of a presence on the ground. They leave that up to junior RB LeQuint Allen, who has had a decent 2024. 

 

McCord is one of the better QBs the Hokies will face this year. With that being said, he has been prone to turning the ball over and taking big sacks behind a mediocre offensive line. Virginia Tech has an opportunity to feast on defense if it can get to McCord quickly – something the D-Line should find some success doing.

 

Biggest Strength?

This Syracuse passing attack has been the most impressive in 2024. Led by McCord, Syracuse has certainly spread the ball out, getting multiple pass catchers involved. The Orange have three receivers with over 450 yards. Jackson Meeks (6’2” 210 lbs), Trebor Pena (6’0” 185 lbs), and TE Oronde Gadsden (6’5” 235 lbs) have combined for 12 TDs thus far. Gadsden is amongst the best in the nation at TE, but he plays similar to a receiver (like Bucky Hodges at Tech). RB LeQuint Allen is also heavily involved in the passing attack, totalling 274 yards on 37 receptions. Rounding out this group is Virginia native and deep threat target Umari Hatcher (6’3” 185 lbs). The Orange have capable playmakers spread out all across the field. 

For Virginia Tech to be successful on Saturday, the Hokies must play disciplined football in the backfield: can't miss assignments and can't let receivers go over the top on you. Luckily, the Hokies have a solid tandem in Mansoor Delane and Dorian Strong, both of whom have been playing well as of late. Dante Lovett, another guy who has been playing good football as of late,  must also be ready to fill in due to Syracuse’s high pace passing attack.  

 

Key Matchup Battle: 

Virginia Tech’s secondary vs. Syracuse’s passing attack

 

On Defense

Defensive Coordinator: Elijah Robinson 

Key Defensive Team Stats for Syracuse:

The Good

• 29.7% opposing team’s third down conversion rate (12th nationally)

The Bad

• Red zone defense (109th nationally)
• Team passing efficiency defense (100th nationally)

 

Despite being injured early on, Boston College transfer Marlowe Wax is back at MLB for the Orange. In Wax’s time out, junior Derek McDonald filled in well. McDonald has 44 tackles on the year, good for second on the team. Expect Wax and McDonald to both share time. 

 

On the D-Line, Fadil Diggs has had an impressive 2024. Standing 6’5” and 260 lbs, the senior Diggs is a threat off the edge and leads the team in sacks with four. This unit only has 15 sacks on the year. If RB Bhayshul Tuten is healthy, which he should be, then the Hokies have a chance to exploit this shaky D-Line and hit gaps hard – something that is Tuten’s bread and butter. OT Xavier Chaplin’s health is also crucial, as he has been responsible for a lot of those gaps. 

 

Syracuse has a familiar name in the secondary. That is former VT commit CB Marcellus Barnes Jr.. Barnes has earned himself a starting role at CB and has held his own in 2024. Alongside Barnes at corner will be senior Clarence Lewis. Syracuse also has a STAR position on its defense, similar to what the Hokies have in Keonta Jenkins. The 6’4” Devin Grant is the STAR for the ‘Cuse and can drop back into coverage or sneakily rush off the edge. Potentially the best player on this ‘Cuse defense is the seasoned veteran Duce Chestnut. The 6’0” and 200 lbs safety has 18 solo tackles on the year, one interception, and three pass deflections. Chestnut, a former LSU commit, has played against the Hokies twice, once in 2021 and once in 2023. Embedded below is his 2022 highlight tape. 

Final Prediction

The Hokies march into the JMA Wireless Dome and do something they haven't done in over 20 years -- beating the Orange and setting up for a big time game against Clemson at home.

 

Syracuse 20 - Virginia Tech 31