Syracuse vs. Wake Forest: TNIAAM Predictions & Poll

This post is sponsored by 315Tees. Support TNIAAM by clicking on their banner to check out the Syracuse-themed t-shirts they've got for sale. 315Tees is also giving TNIAAM readers a special where if they use the code "TNIAAM" at checkout and they’ll get Free shipping on their order. That code will expire Sunday at 11:59PM, so, get to it!

Dan Lyons

Syracuse 24 - Wake Forest 10

Wake presents a few challenges, especially in the passing game, but ultimately Syracuse will utilize its renewed ground attack and some efficient play from AJ Long to score its third victory. Defensively, Chuck Bullough's team should have no real issue keeping Wake's anemic offense in check. I don't expect a blowout by any means, but I feel good about a comfortable Syracuse victory.

Ben Norowski

Syracuse 35 - Wake Forest 14

I expect Syracuse to continue where it left off on offense, as AJ Long continues to impress, throwing two TDs and rushing for one. The defense forces turnovers against a Wake team that struggles to keep possession, and the offense takes advantage. This game goes a long way in getting the team back on track, as the confidence boost of winning on the road gives the team some belief heading into Death Valley.

Matt McClusky

Syracuse 20 - Wake Forest 16

Prediction? Pain...for us the viewers. Syracuse could be down five of 11 starters on offense. Wake Forest averages about 30 yards rushing per game. Both teams score way fewer points per game than the national average of 30.

I'm not buying Syracuse, with a frosh at quarterback starting his first game of his career, is truly a five-to-six-point favorite. The Orange should win because SU is better, but it's likely to be closer than the experts think (that's weird to write about Syracuse football).

Michael Burke

Syracuse 27 - Wake Forest 14

​If moral victories exist, that's what last week's loss to Florida State was. I'm already a believer in the Tim Lester offense and, maybe even more so, I'm a believer in AJ Long. I'm certainly not happy Terrel Hunt is injured, but in one game, Long moved the ball better and more consistently than Hunt ever proved capable of this season, save for the Central Michigan game.​ I'm excited to see how Long plays in a game of this magnitude. Obviously, if the Orange want to keep hope alive of reaching a bowl game, they have to win this one. That's a lot of pressure to put on a true freshman quarterback making his first collegiate start, but I expect Long to answer the bell. And I just don't think the Deacons, who have one of the country's very worst offenses, can score enough points to keep up.

Jared Smith

Wake Forest 16 -- Syracuse 13

I am predicting the doomsday scenario for the 2014 season. Let's look at the facts: 1) Syracuse is hoping a true-freshmen quarterback can lead them to road ACC victory; 2) If something happens to our new savior true-freshmen quarterback there's Mitch Kimble; 3) Sooooo many Syracuse injuries. So many; 4) Wake Forest has hope that they will win this game. That tells me all I need to know about their confidence going into this one.

#DisloyalIdiot me all you want. This is how I see i

John Cassillo

Syracuse 24 - Wake Forest 14

For those expecting A.J. Long to come out gun's blazing like last week, they're unfortunately disappointed, but that doesn't mean he or the Orange fail down in Winston-Salem. Wake Forest's secondary slows down the Syracuse passing attack early on, but the running game carries the load just fine for the offense -- despite the slower tempo. But the offense doesn't get this one done without the Syracuse defense, which really controls things throughout the contest. Without an ability to run the ball, John Wolford's under attack from the SU blitz the entire game and that ultimately makes the difference as the Deacons struggle to get any traction moving the football. It's a nice win for Syracuse, but one that also tells fans there's plenty of room for this team to continue growing and developing.

Sean Keeley

Syracuse 19 - Wake Forest 13

It's gonna be ugly. That's all I'm really sure of. Two freshmen quarterbacks leading two rough offenses against two stout defenses..it's gonna be ugly. Keep those kicker legs limber on the sidelines cause they're gonna get some serious workouts. I think Syracuse has the better talent and should win, but that doesn't always play out as you'd hope. I hope it does here.

---------

How bout you?