Syracuse vs. Holy Cross: TNIAAM predictions & poll

The Syracuse Orange (2-2, 0-1) bring a one-game winning streak into this Saturday, and are looking to extend it to two against the FCS-level Holy Cross Crusaders (1-2, 0-0). Holy Cross’s previous game against an FBS team ended with a 45-7 loss to Navy in week one, so odds aren’t looking great for this one being all that competitive.

Before this one gets going on Saturday at noon ET on the ACC Network, the TNIAAM staff weighs in on the game:

Blake Pace

Syracuse 62, Holy Cross 14

It hasn’t been the most pristine start to the season for Syracuse, but they have a real good chance at getting the ball rolling their way this weekend. Holy Cross enters this week giving up almost 300 yards on the ground per game — 118th out of 124 FCS programs — and their offense is only a hair better at 111th in the FCS. They’ve been crushed by Navy, barely squeaked past New Hampshire and was handed a double-digit loss to Yale last week. Expect senior running back Moe Neal to feast on this weak defense as long as he’s in the game, and this entire offense should use this week as on opportunity to find a rhythm before their schedule picks back up. Syracuse takes this one easily,

Steve Haller

Syracuse 45, Holy Cross 10

The Orange let up a few fluke points on the FCS side but take care of business heading in to the bye week. This should allow the young kids to get some run and hopefully showcase some of the younger depth we have at a few positions, particularly linebacker.

Andy Pregler

Syracuse 59, Holy Cross 6

There’s not a lot of life in Holy Cross’ offense, and their best hope to keep things close in their punter keeping the field long. However, remember how ’Cuse’s special teams took over versus Wagner last year? I think the Orange defense and special teams get some swagger back, setting up short fields for Tommy DeVito and Moe Neal to eat up early and often. DeVito is out of the game by the second half, and we see a steady diet of backup running backs running wild.

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Wall

Syracuse 59, Holy Cross 11

I’m expecting to see Syracuse keep the ball on the ground on Saturday so look for a big day for Jarveon Howard and some extended snaps for Clayton Welch and Rex Culpepper in the second half. Holy Cross will probably run a lot of draws and screens to try and slow the pass rush of Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman so the Orange linebackers and safeties will need to do a better job of tackling this week.

John Cassillo

Syracuse 64, Holy Cross 7

Dino Babers isn’t one to run up the score, but the talent gap’s a bit large here and Syracuse is also trying to put some more of the demons from the early portion of the season behind them. So while they’re not opening the playbook much, they’ll be running their offense as fast as what we saw last week. SU comes out hot and pulls the starters by the early third quarter — but not before they put up some impressive numbers.

Now it’s your turn...