An orange-clad ACC football team is set to invade Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, but that is the only similarity between this week’s opponent, Syracuse, and the Clemson Tigers. The Fighting Irish (9-0) will close out the regular season with a low-key Senior Day celebration, but the game itself against the 1-9 Orange appears to be a mismatch. Nevertheless, Coach Brian Kelly expects a focused effort from his starters and hopes to clear the bench before the afternoon is over. NBC will televise the game beginning at 2:30 PM Eastern time.

Syracuse Coach Dino Babers is in his fifth and arguably most challenging season at the school. The Orange have been decimated by injuries and personnel opt-outs due to COVID-19. Among the casualties have been starting quarterback Tommy DeVito, the top four running backs on the roster, and most of the starting secondary. Consequently, Babers has sent several true freshmen into battle. Although many of them including quarterback JaCobian Morgan have flashed considerable talent, the overall results have been predictable.

Notre Dame has also been battling the injury bug. Quality depth at most positions has kept the ship afloat, especially along both front lines. Since next Saturday’s contest against Wake Forest has been canceled, Kelly would like to enable a few returning players to see action this week. Among them are running back C’Bo Flemister, wideout Braden Lenzy, and defensive tackle Jacob Lacey. He will be a bit more cautious with guard Tommy Kraemer and defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola. Both may not be quite ready to go and should not be needed.

The second-ranked Irish are in solid position in the college football playoff picture. They have secured a spot in the ACC championship game and have built a strong case for inclusion even if a rematch with Clemson does not go their way.

Among the seniors who could be playing their last home game are quarterback Ian Book, tackles Liam Eichenberg and Robert Hainsey, wide receivers Brent Skowronek and Javon McKinley, tight end Brock Wright, and Kraemer. Defensively, ends Daelin Hayes and Adetokunbo Ogundeji, tackle Kurt Hinish, safety Shaun Crawford, and cornerback Nick McCloud will likely complete their college careers. Any or all could return in 2021 due to the COVID eligibility rules, but in most cases this seems unlikely.

NOTRE DAME’S OFFENSE vs. SYRACUSE’S DEFENSE

The Orange will start five freshmen on defense, including four in the secondary. Babers runs a 3-3-5 alignment with two corners, two safeties and a rover on the back end. On passing downs, freshman linebacker Stefon Thompson moves up to become the fourth pass rusher. Three seniors comprise the front line. Nose tackle McKinley Williams is the best of the group and will present a significant challenge for Irish center Zeke Correll, who is making his second career start.

Weak Side linebacker Mikel Jones is the leading tackler. Jones is a versatile, instinctive player who also leads the team with four interceptions. The secondary boasts two very good cornerbacks in freshman Garrett Williams and junior Ifeatu Melifonwu. The weaknesses are at safety and rover, where all three opening day starters had to be replaced.

In September, star rover Andre Cisco suffered a season-ending ACL injury in a pregame warmup. Safety Eric Coley went down that same week, and Trill Williams lasted only five games. He attempted to play through a leg injury but has since opted out. Williams plans to enter the 2021 NFL draft. Of their freshman replacements, safety Ja’Had Carter is the most talented. He has already ascended to become the second leading tackler for the Orange.

Despite the individual talent on the field, this defense has holes and has been exploited on the ground and through the air. They play an aggressive style that has forced numerous turnovers, sacks, and tackles for loss. However, Syracuse has given up 200 rushing yards per game, a 65% pass completion rate and 39 touchdowns. Another factor in their poor statistical showing is this injury-depleted group has been on the field for 36 minutes per game.

Kelly showed respect for Syracuse during his pregame commentary this week. Regarding the defense, he said, “They’re athletic, they’re fast, they play with toughness, they take the football away, they’ve played their best football against the top offenses in the ACC, they get your attention. You watch this defensive football team and they’re gonna be really good.”

SYRACUSE’S OFFENSE vs. NOTRE DAME’S DEFENSE

The Orange offense struggled in October after DeVito went down. When senior Rex Culpepper failed to post any victories, Babers turned to freshman JaCobian Morgan earlier this month. The 6’4” Morgan has alternately shown promise and the inconsistency of youth in his brief tenure as the starter. He has been named to lead the Orange against the Irish after sitting out last week due to a concussion. If Morgan fails to move the team, another freshman, Dillon Markiewicz, could get a chance.

Tailback Sean Tucker is literally the last man standing among the fallen at his position. The two leading backs on the roster opted out of the season, a third player transferred, and early season starter Jawhar Jordan suffered an injury from which he hasn’t returned. Tucker stepped in and stabilized the running game, but the offensive line has not given him much room to operate.

The Irish defensive front will have a decided advantage against the Syracuse offensive line. Tackles Airon Servais and Matthew Bergeron have struggled in pass protection, and the unit as a whole has not created many openings in the running game. The Orange have rushed for 100 yards only twice this season. Last week, they managed only three net yards against the unheralded North Carolina State defense, which will never be confused with the 1985 Chicago Bears.

Syracuse does have weapons in the passing game if Morgan or whoever is at quarterback gets time to throw. Wide receiver Taj Harris had 13 receptions last week and is the top target. Nykeim Johnson is dangerous as a deep threat, but he has been inconsistent. The third starter, Anthony Queely, is a capable pass catcher in the short zones. Both Tucker and tight end Aaron Hackett are rarely utilized in the passing game.

The Irish faced better talent at quarterback and receiver last week and took care of business. They dominated the North Carolina offensive line, which is also a notch above this Syracuse group. If Notre Dame’s intensity is consistent with past performances, it should have little trouble handling the Orange attack.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Andre Smyzt has been a bright spot for the Orange this season. The junior hasn’t missed a field goal attempt in two months and has good range. Punter Nolan Cooney gets far more work than Smyzt. He has responded with a 45-yard average on more attempts than anyone in the nation. Nykeim Johnson returns punts and shares the kickoff return duties with Trebor Pena, who had a 98-yard touchdown last week.

Punter Jay Bramblett is coming off a strong performance last week for Notre Dame. Kicker Jonathan Doerer has been a bit erratic in the last few weeks. He will be looking to clean up previous mistakes and restore confidence for more competitive games later this month. Chris Tyree’s kick returns and Matt Salerno’s handling of punts remain error-free although not especially productive.

SUMMARY

Strangely enough, Syracuse has a positive 22-17 turnover ratio this season. Given that data point, why do they have a 1-9 record? A big part of the answer is the Orange are a terrible offensive team. The line has given up 37 sacks and 76 tackles for loss. On defense, they are capable of causing havoc when calculated risks are rewarded. Unfortunately, their attacking style can backfire to the tune of long gains by an opponent. The bottom line is they struggle to get off the field on third down and a lack of depth causes them to wear down.

Notre Dame should be able to run the ball effectively from the outset. The coaches won’t want Book to risk his postseason health with too many designed carries or scrambles, so the tailbacks will carry the load. The matchup with the tall Irish receivers against the Syracuse corners will be a good test and a reason to tune in. Book must also be aware of Mikel Jones when he looks over the middle to his tight ends.

Here are a few questions that will shed light on the outcome:

• Can the Irish dominate in the running game?
• Will Kyren Williams (901 yards to date) reach the 1000 yard mark for the regular season?
• How will the Irish receivers fare against the tough Orange cornerbacks?
• Will Notre Dame’s pass rush keep Syracuse’s aerial threats in check?
• Can Doerer get back on track in the kicking department?
• Will the Irish successfully clear the way for the second teamers to play extensively?
• Can the Irish exit the field in good health?
• Will Michigan duck Ohio State next week?

PREDICTION

The Irish can score a TKO early in this contest if they are properly motivated. The Syracuse defense can cause minor headaches if the hosts are sluggish, but the outcome should never be in doubt. The objectives are simple – build a comfortable lead, stay healthy, and turn the game over to the reserves as soon as possible. This seems doable to me.

NOTRE DAME 42  SYRACUSE 10

Tell John what you think in the Comments section below