The Virginia Cavaliers (3-2, 1-1 ACC) will play tonight in the friendly confines on Scott Stadium against Syracuse (2-2, 0-2 ACC) on Saturday at 7:30. Tony Elliott’s crew is a decided favorite headed into this matchup as Vegas has the ‘Hoos set at a 13.5-point favorite against Fran Brown and his Orange.
I got the inside scoop on how the Orange have looked so far this season, plus insight on how this game might play out through the eyes of Kevin Wall over at Nunes Magician.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that former five-star Malachi Nelson is expected to start Saturday, with Amari Odom doubtful and Steve Angeli out. What should UVA fans expect from Nelson in his first Syracuse start, and how does the offense change with him under center? Quarterbacks have scored all nine rushing touchdowns Virginia has allowed this year, so how much of a threat is he with his legs?
Wall: Syracuse doesn’t run the quarterback a lot in this offense, but Odom’s size and ability to move in the pocket was useful in the red zone, where the Orange have struggled this season. Fran Brown says Nelson can run a bit but he doesn’t have the size of Odom. Look for more carries for Tylik Hill and Ahmad Miller as Syracuse tries to attack the interior of the Virginia defense.
Virginia gave up 10 sacks at Florida State last week. Who on Syracuse’s defensive front should Virginia’s offensive line be watching out for?
Wall: Two transfers- Tunmise Adeleye and Keyshawn Johnson provide the pass rush from the edge. These are the two guys that Syracuse need to not only pressure Pribula but force him to step up in the pocket and not escape on the edge. Interior lineman Nissi Ogbebor had a great game at UConn last week and is another player to watch.
Beau Pribula has been a different player at Scott Stadium (84.9 percent completions at home vs. 53.8 percent away from it), and he can hurt you with his legs. How do you expect Syracuse to defend him? And after UConn’s Cyncir Bowers ran for 163 yards last week, how confident are you in the run defense against Virginia’s ground game?
Wall: Not confident at all because the last two games have seen both Pitt and UConn run on the Orange. Last week Syracuse played a lot of zone to stop the quarterback run, but it hurt them in other areas. I’d expect more of the same as they try and make Pribula beat them throw the air by reading the zones.
Five-star freshman Calvin Russell III played about 30 snaps at UConn in his college debut after tearing his Achilles in the spring, and Fran Brown says he wants him more involved. What should UVA fans know about him, and how does he change the offense?
Wall: He gives the Orange another tall WR (6’5″) on the outside. This offense is designed to get man coverage on those receivers and there are a lot of go routes or back shoulder throws to the sideline and Russell adds a 3rd option behind Umari Hatcher and Justus Ross-Simmons. As I mentioned the red zone offense has been bad and that’s where Russell could change things with his ability to go up and get the ball.
What does Syracuse need to do to win in Charlottesville on Saturday night, and what’s your prediction?
Wall: Syracuse needs to play a cleaner game which means reducing penalties, converting in the red zone, and stop with the self-inflicted wounds. Without Odom, it’s hard to see the offense being able to do enough to get into that 30 point range so I think Virginia pulls away in the 4th quarter to win 31-20.
Check out Nunes Magician for the latest on all things Syracuse athletics. Thank you, Kevin Wall, for his time.
