Syracuse football opponents recap: Week 8

Against all odds, the Syracuse Orange are 5-2 and are on the verge of getting back to a bowl game for the first time since 2013. They still need one more win, however, and it’s going to have to come against one of the final five teams on SU’s schedule below.

Each week, we’ll be using this space to look at past and future foes on the 2018 schedule, and assess what’s ahead for the Orange. So how’d Syracuse’s opponents fare in week seven? And how might that affect SU going forward?

Week 8

Western Michigan Broncos (6-2, 4-0)

Result: Win, 35-10 over Central Michigan

WMU just keeps rolling and is well on its way to representing the MAC West in the conference title game. Saturday’s game against rival CMU featured a run-heavy attack (305 yards) and two picks on defense, while only needing to throw for 51 yards. The Broncos were up 21-0 at halftime and never looked back.

Wagner Seahawks (2-5, 1-1)

Result: Bye week

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Florida State Seminoles (4-3, 2-3)

Result: Win, 38-17 win over Wake Forest

After the rocky start to the season, FSU has righted the ship somewhat with three wins in four games (and a near-miss against Miami, too). The latest triumph, drubbing Wake Forest, featured a slow start before a complete sprint to the finish. Deondre Francois threw for 353 yards and two scores, the the Seminoles’ defense got after Wake Forest all day with its blitz. Florida State’s run game still wasn’t overwhelming (132 yards) but did account for three touchdowns.

Connecticut Huskies (1-6, 0-4)

Result: Loss, 38-30 to USF

UConn actually put on its best performance of the year this weekend, testing the unbeaten Bulls on the road and coming within eight points of pulling off the upset. The teams were actually locked at seven points apiece at halftime, before Johnny Ford and the USF run game helped blow things open. Connecticut was simply too one-dimensional (322 of 455 yards on the ground) and couldn’t make late plays.

Clemson Tigers (7-0, 4-0)

Result: Win, 41-7 over NC State

Clemson’s firing on all cylinders at this point, and didn’t even have to put in much effort to beat a ranked Wolfpack squad. Trevor Lawrence threw for 308 yards, while the Tigers had 10 tackles for loss and picked off Ryan Finley twice. This game was never in doubt, and that’s without using Travis Etienne much at all.

Pittsburgh Panthers (3-4, 2-1)

Result: Bye week

Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

N.C State Wolfpack (5-1, 2-1)

Result: Loss, 41-7 to Clemson

State was completely shut down by Clemson’s defense, as the normally accurate Finley completed just 21 of 34 passes for 156 yards and two picks. The Pack also ran for just 104 yards on the day and didn’t get on the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. NCSU got some pressure (two sacks) but was largely shredded by the Tigers’ pass game. Just some things to note for this Saturday...

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-4, 0-3)

Result: Loss, 38-17 to Florida State

Wake Forest has been in a tailspin for weeks, and the drop continued against FSU. Sam Hartman wasn’t too accurate (22-of-46) and the run game was non-existent. The Deacons’ defense recorded six tackles for loss, but in general, the team looked pretty listless in defeat. Still plenty to play for, though, despite the four losses so far.

Louisville Cardinals (2-5, 0-4)

Result: Bye week

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0, N/A)

Result: Bye week

Boston College Eagles (5-2, 2-1)

Result: Bye week

Week 8 opponent W-L: 3-4

2018 total W-L: 46-37