Syracuse vs. Connecticut official TNIAAM predictions & poll

Week four of the college football season is here! And your Syracuse Orange are now 3-0 (1-0 in the ACC) as they host the Connecticut Huskies (1-2, 0-1) at the Carrier Dome this Saturday. Syracuse’s offense has looked pretty good this year, while UConn’s defense has been bad. “What could go wrong?”

Las Vegas seems to think this game is going to be a blowout (SU is favored by 27.5 points). But even if that’s not the margin, it seems like everyone’s favoring an Orange win. Does that everyone include us?

Before things kick off at 4 p.m. ET tomorrow at the Dome (and on ESPNews), the TNIAAM staff predicts what might happen in this one...

Steve Haller

SU 52, UConn 13

I talked to my buddy who is a UConn football fan (they do exist) and he verbatim said “Dude, we’re the worst team in D1.” While I think that might be hyperbole, and their offense can put up some points or at least yards if Pindell gets moving, that defense may be actual Swiss cheese.

Brandon Ross

SU 49, UConn 10

We saw last week that Syracuse’s offense has the potential to be deadly no matter if it’s Dungey or DeVito under center. That makes this game all but a shoe-in against a Husky defense that’s basically a sieve. If they gave up 49 points to Rhode Island, I doubt the Orange will have much trouble running up the score. Their offense isn’t nearly as bad, but I think if the defensive line keeps playing the way it is, UConn’s not getting any ball movement either.

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Hillman

SU 48, UConn 17

There’s really no reason to believe that UConn will be able to stifle the electric Syracuse offense. This is a Husky defense that allowed 49 points to an FCS Rhode Island, 62 to Boise State, and 56 to UCF. The Orange offense is no worse, and may be the better out of all of them. UConn senior quarterback Dave Pindell may keep it close early, but there’s no reason to believe the Huskies can keep up with whoever his behind center for the Orange.

Andy Pregler

SU 52, UConn 7

Look, there’s a very real part of me that is worried the team eases off the gas and lets UConn put up some offense in the second half, a la Western Michigan. However, this UConn defense is bad, like high school JV can’t stop anyone bad. Even if the playbook closes back up, a basic Dino Babers offense run by Eric Dungey or Tommy DeVito should put up plenty of points. More impressively, I think the defense continues to dominate, showing off a top half of ACC defensive line we knew could take over games versus lesser opponents.

Matt McClusky

SU 45, UConn 12

Syracuse has some issues to clean up, but the Huskies have real problems on both sides of the ball. Like seek professional-help problems. I’m not expecting an electric atmosphere inside the Dome and I really think SU could sleep walk through some of this game. But despite some fans worrying about jinxing this one (c’mon, man!), the Orange will score a lot early and then eventually roll to win number four.

Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Kevin Wall

SU 54, UConn 17

While I think David Pindell can cause some problems with his running ability, the Syracuse offense should be able to move the ball easily on the Huskies. Since Eric Dungey’s “owie” probably benefits from rest I expect a QB rotation in the 1st half and hopefully some 4th quarter work for Rex Culpepper. Look for the Orange to try and establish the ground attack and hopefully an improved red zone performance.

Dan Lyons

SU 48, UConn 17

We talk a lot about advanced numbers—namely, Bill Connelly’s S&P+—around here, and they are none too kind to the Huskies, which rank as the second-worst team in all of FBS. I know those numbers adjust for opponent a bit, but I don’t think UConn’s schedule has done it any favors, opening with UCF and Boise State before a tough win over FCS Rhode Island. That being said, this one shouldn’t be very close. David Pindell is the type of player that gives Syracuse trouble at quarterback, and I expect him to have moments, but ‘Cuse should be able to torch this Huskies defense and lay on points, even if it isn’t the 80-point outburst I want.

John Cassillo

SU 41, UConn 27

It should come as no surprise that the #disloyalidiot rides in late to be a buzzkill amidst the blowout predictions above. But there’s a reason for this. Syracuse hasn’t necessarily opened up the playbook a ton in non-conference play this year — and barely did against Florida State, either. With Clemson up next and Eric Dungey potentially not 100%, I wouldn’t put it past Dino Babers to just coast through this game. That means fewer points, and perhaps the defense struggles a bit more than expected with David Pindell. Still, it’s a double-digit win and we’re 4-0.

Now it’s your turn...