Both Orange, Eagles have a lot on the line
Syracuse has been living on the edge for most of the season and, in retrospect, that’s been good for the team’s psyche.
“We know that we’re able to play with and compete against everybody,” senior defensive lineman Cody Roscoe said. “Every game is going to be a dogfight. Games are not going to be easy. If it does come down to the end, we’ve got to be ready for the moment.”
Syracuse (4-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) played four straight games that were decided by three points and won one before getting past Virginia Tech 41-36 last week on the road with two touchdowns in the final three minutes.
“I feel like it was a really big win,” Roscoe said. “It put us in the right direction. It was a game we needed. It’s still a close game at that. It was like five hardfought games back to back to back to back to back. I feel like it got us on the right path. We just have to continue to build on that.”
Added coach Dino Babers: “I think it lightens the load mentally a little bit. There’s frustration about not winning.”
Now comes a rivalry game Saturday against longtime foe Boston College (4-3, 0-3), which will be out to break a threegame losing streak that has left the Eagles in the cellar of the Atlantic Division. This will be the 55th meeting in the series and an important one for both teams as they chase the six wins needed to play in the postseason. BC, a 61⁄2-point underdog, according to Fanduel Sportsbook, has won in its past three visits to the Carrier Dome.
Last week, BC lost 28-14 at Louisville and Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham rushed for 133 yards and three TDS in an offense that stunned the Eagles, who now have to contend with another mobile QB in Garrett Shrader.
Shrader gives the Orange an impressive second option in the run game behind tailback Sean Tucker, who leads the nation in rushing with 1,060 yards. Shrader rushed for 137, 178 and 174 yards in three of the past four games.