Syracuse vs. Maryland: TNIAAM predictions & poll

The No. 21/22 Syracuse Orange football team (1-0, 0-0) made us a bit nervous early in last week’s game, but still pulled off a very comfortable 24-0 win at Liberty. Now in week two, SU remains on the road, this time visiting the Maryland Terrapins. The Terps beat Howard 79-0 last week, so that was obviously a fun day for them.

Before this one gets going on Saturday at noon ET on ESPN, the TNIAAM staff weighs in on whether or not Syracuse beats Maryland to get to 2-0.

Blake Pace

SU 35, Maryland 24

Last week didn’t bust down the doors for the highly anticipated 2019 Syracuse football team, but a shutout victory on the road against a physical Liberty team is still a strong enough start to get the ball rolling. This time around they’ll travel to College Park to take on an amped Terrapin unit — fresh of an impressive 79-0 victory. Not to discredit such a lopsided victory, but Maryland was the far-superior team from the opening snap and picked apart a lesser MEAC foe in Howard. For this upcoming game, I think Syracuse’s overall speed and power in the defensive front limit Maryland’s gameplan and overall success on offense. I also expect a much cleaner game from redshirt sophomore quarterback Tommy Devito.

Brandon Ross

SU 28, Maryland 21

Barring a superhuman evolution from Tommy DeVito between weeks one and two, this game is going to go down to the wire. Even though it was against Howard, Maryland put up 79 points in one game last week and most teams can’t do that. However, the Syracuse defense also pitched a shutout against a team that had no film on. The Orange offense will do what the Orange offense does, but SU has the edge because the defense is just such a strong counter.

Andy Pregler

SU 24, Maryland 21

While we won’t see a perfect Tommy DeVito to Trishton Jackson combo yet, I do think we continue to see the defensive line continue to set the tone for the defense, pressuring Josh Jackson into mistakes and settling our fears about a mobile quarterback. Special teams will come in clutch as we see a vintage field position/turnover battle swing ’Cuse’s way as the offense is run by Moe Neal and Abdul Adams. We don’t go into Clemson feeling great, but it’s happening at 2-0 and ranked.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Steve Haller

SU 31, Maryland 24

A solid back and forth game where the Syracuse offense finally finds a rhythm and eventually pushes for a few second half scores. I see it tight through the half, but the Syracuse D-line getting through on resting some havoc against a gassed Maryland offensive front to keep the 2-0 start intact.

Kevin Wall

SU 24, Maryland 20

For the second week in a row the Orange defense leads the way as the offense continues to find their rhythm. Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman will keep Josh Jackson from getting too comfortable and the opportunistic secondary will secure two key turnovers. Tommy DeVito will get his first TD pass on the season but we’ll continue to see a lot of touches for Moe Neal and Abdul Adams with handoffs and short passes. It’s not going to be easy but I think Syracuse will find a way to get to 2-0 on the season.

John Cassillo

SU 31, Maryland 28

This one gets decided in the trenches, sure, but the win probably depends on how both quarterbacks respond to pressure. DeVito was under fire early last week before things settled down. Josh Jackson actually found himself under some duress against Howard during the Terps’ big win, which makes me think the Orange line can create an impressive push. Tommy won’t be perfect, but he’ll be better and less mistake-prone. When combined with a solid run game and the SU defense, it’s enough for Syracuse to get out of College Park with a victory.

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