1. Orange offense struggling

Through two games, the futility of the Syracuse offense has been anomalous. The Orange gained 202 yards against No. 11 North Carolina and 171 against No. 21 Pittsburgh, the lowest and third-lowest yardage totals for Syracuse since the start of the 2017 season, which was coach Dino Babers’ second at the school. From 2017-19, Syracuse averaged 447 yards per game — justifying his reputation for highly productive offenses — and was held under 300 yards twice in 37 games.

“I’ve never expected anything like this,” Babers said at his news conference this week. “I’ve never been a part of anything like this.”

Syracuse has been particularly egregious in its pass protection, with 14 sacks allowed in its first two games. (It bears mention that Pitt, the Orange’s second opponent, has one of the top defensive lines in the country.)

“The O-line has their issues, the receivers have their issues, the quarterbacks have their issues,” Babers said.

Babers also said players are “barely misfiring” on offense and the unit is closer to playing much better than it might appear.

For Tech, which just gave up 49 points and 660 yards to No. 13 Central Florida, it’s an opportunity to regain its footing against a wobbly opponent.

that includes a new roof and a center-hung scoreboard that is reported to be the largest in college sports: Each side is 62½ feet by 20 feet.

No fans will be allowed in the stadium.

Deveney and Dylan Leonard. It will be the second game in a row that they will be out. They are both expected back for Tech’s next game, against Louisville on Oct. 9, following the team’s first open date.

Against UCF, Tech relied mostly on offensive packages without tight ends, either two backs and three receivers or one back and four receivers, with Jack Coco or Billy Ward taking snaps when the Jackets used a tight end. Though Coco has proved himself as a blocker and caught a pass for 8 yards, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Patenaude again were to limit his use of packages with tight ends.