Our beat writers unanimously agree that SU moves to 4-0

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Syracuse returns to the JMA Wireless Dome after a 15-point win over Purdue in West Lafayette. Garrett Shrader stepped up in place of a receiving core that struggled without Oronde Gadsden II, while the defense forced four turnovers in the win. The Orange welcome Army, their final nonconference opponent of the season, for the two program’s first matchup since 1996.

The Golden Knights enter at 2-1 after dropping their Week 1 game 17-13 against the University of Louisiana-Monroe and hanging 94 points in two straight wins. Quarterback Bryson Daily leads a new-look Army offense, going 20-for-39 with 447 yards and four touchdowns. Army (2-1) is looking for its first win over Syracuse (3-0) since 1986, while the Orange can finish their nonconference slate undefeated for the second straight season.

Here’s how our beat writers think SU will fare against its in-state opponent:

Anthony Alandt (2-1)
OORAH ORANGE
Syracuse 27, Army 18

This is such an interesting test of some of the smartest approaches to football in the college game. The Army is in its first season of a gun option offense. They’re showing the world a possible deadly combination of triple option attack with a quarterback in Bryson Daily that can throw downfield with efficiency. Syracuse’s 3-3-5 defense has stood up three straight teams while forcing eight turnovers.

Luckily for the Orange, Rocky Long has experience against a service academy-style offense, and he likely scouted New Mexico Military Institution’s offense from 2012-18 while Golden Knights’ offensive coordinator Drew Thatcher was there. Between New Mexico and San Diego State, Long went 13-8 against Army, Air Force and Navy, all of whom ran the triple option. I love this game as a possible upset pick for the Golden Knights, and wouldn’t be surprised if they exit central New York with a win.

Syracuse is far more undisciplined and tends to sag off of physical rush games as the game goes on. But SU’s offense is humming right now and that’s hard to pick against it. The biggest downside of the Orange’s win in Purdue was that the receivers struggled. Long having prior knowledge about a gun option and triple should definitely tilt what could be a challenging game in Syracuse’s favor.

Wyatt Miller (3-0)
Different now
Syracuse 31, Army 14

“These guys are different now.”

That was head coach Dino Babers’ message to his players ahead of Syracuse’s showdown with Army. This isn’t the same Army team that ran the ball 86% of the time last season. This year, Thatcher has them throwing it almost 10% more, while averaging 35.7 points per game. Teams that haven’t accounted for Army’s willingness to throw the ball have paid the price – they rank second in the FBS in average completion yards (21.32). That said, the Black Knights haven’t played a defense like Syracuse.

SU’s secondary is more than capable of winning while isolated against an underwhelming Army receiving core. When they do drop back to pass, Long will make sure these defensive backs are dialed in while the pressure handles business. Through three games, the Orange defense ranks fourth in the nation in scoring, sixth in turnovers gained and 14th in rushing defense. Apart from a big play or two, this blitz-happy SU front should break through Army’s jumbo sets consistently.

Daily leads the Black Knights in rushing yards and touchdowns. They use misdirection to create rushing lanes and deception to freeze the defense. Lucky for Babers, he has Long on his staff, who is notorious for making in-game adjustments. Coming into a packed JMA Wireless Dome, you can be sure that Thatcher will have some tricks up his sleeve. Long and this defense will be ready, and SU will breeze to an undefeated record entering the Clemson game… again.

Henry O’Brien (2-1)
The new Orange Crush defense
Syracuse 24, Army 6

I really should’ve gone with my gut last week and picked the Orange to beat Purdue. Now standing at 2-1 this week, I don’t need to ponder about this prediction for very long. Similar to both Colgate and Western Michigan, I firmly believe Syracuse will easily defeat Army. SU has shown it has what it takes to defeat teams that it should beat. The victory over the Boilermakers was proof of that.

Shrader and the offense will need to show off that their aerial attack is no fluke. With Gadsden ruled out for the year hours before kickoff last Saturday, the Orange heavily relied on the quarterback’s legs. Even if Syracuse doesn’t have anyone reach over 100 yards receiving, spreading the ball out will be crucial against one of the better passing defenses in college football.

But that might not even matter because of how the defense has looked so far. While detractors could point to the weak opponents the Orange have faced through three weeks, Long has turned the defense into the best scoring defense in the ACC and the fourth best in the country. The three teams in front of them? No. 2 Michigan, No. 6 Ohio State and No. 1 Georgia. Not too shabby. Expect Syracuse to generate turnovers, whether it be a Marlowe Wax forced fumble, or an Isaiah Johnson interception. This defense will destroy the Army.