Syracuse returns for its home opener coming off a 55-42 win over Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Eric Dungey set an ACC rushing record for a quarterback, the defense almost collapsed in the third quarter and the Orange held on to start the season with a W.

Wagner comes to the Carrier Dome off a win over Division II Bowie State, 40-23. Last season, the Seahawks played one FBS opponent, WMU, and lost, 49-14.

Here’s what our beat writers expect to happen Saturday.

Andrew Graham (1-0)
Annihilation
Syracuse 52, Wagner 17

On Tuesday, Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey said he wants to “annihilate” teams the rest of the year, starting with Wagner. Long term, we’ll check back on how the annihilation is going, but at least on Saturday, Dungey will get his wish. Syracuse did allow Western Michigan back into a done-deal, but the Seahawks are a different story. Wagner, an FCS team, won its opener against Bowie State, a Division II team, by 17 at home. In that game, Wagner leaned on running back Ryan Fulse for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Against an ACC front seven, I doubt Fulse finds the same success. For Syracuse, look for someone other than Jamal Custis to catch passes and someone other than — or more aptly, alongside — Dungey to run the football as the Orange tunes up to host Florida State.

Josh Schafer (1-0)
“Rock me mama like a wagon wheel”
Syracuse 48, Wagner 10

A week after scoring 55 points against a Mid-American Conference team, Syracuse’s offense shouldn’t struggle against Wagner. The Seahawks played one FBS opponent a year ago, Western Michigan, and lost 49-14. A week ago, Syracuse totaled 560 yards on 88 plays. History indicates a similar display on Saturday. In 2016, when Syracuse hosted FCS opponent Colgate, the Orange totaled 554 yards on 81 plays in a 33-7 victory. In 2017, SU trounced FCS school Central Connecticut State 50-7 behind 586 yards on 93 plays. The offense will be there. Against an FCS school, the defense should be there. And the Orange will pick up its second-straight win headed into a week three matchup against Florida State.

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Matt Liberman (1-0)
Legion of whom?
Syracuse 58, Wagner 13

The Wagner Seahawks’ secondary is not exactly the Seattle Seahawks. If Syracuse has any trouble on Saturday whatsoever, SU fans should be concerned. Wagner, an FCS team, won its first matchup this season against Division II Bowie State, 40-23. If Bowie State can drop 23 on Wagner, assume that an Eric Dungey-led offense can score at least 50 on the Seahawks as it scored 55 against Western Michigan. Syracuse simply has far superior athletes and greater talent on its squad. This shouldn’t be a close matchup. Expect Tommy DeVito to see a good amount of time with the first unit as Syracuse will likely jump out to a huge lead. And expect SU to spread the ball around more on offense. Perhaps Devin Butler and Ravian Pierce will get a good amount of throws their way to incorporate someone into the passing offense beside Jamal Custis. This game is a tune up for FSU.

Published on September 5, 2018 at 10:12 pm