Duke Football's First Trip To Syracuse Looms

Next up for Duke football is Syracuse and if anyone is, Syracuse is a wild card. The Orange is just 3-6, but that's deceptive. Syracuse has had real problems at quarterback and consequently problems scoring.

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Even so, Notre Dame won 31-15, FSU won 38-20, and Clemson just 16-6. Considering Syracuse's injuries, that's impressive. They're not getting blown out.

Syracuse is losing, but this is not a team that's giving up.

That quarterback thing hurts though.

Terrel Hunt had been starting but was probably lost for the season against Louisville.

Backup A.J. Long is "highly doubtful" with some nerve issues in his throwing arm.

Syracuse turns now to redshirt freshman Austin Wilson. You never know - he could be Joe Montana in waiting - but it's asking a lot.

Syracuse has also had some offensive turmoil beyond QB as offensive coordinator George McDonald was demoted in October.

So offense was a problem before quarterback injuries. Compounding it: Syracuse will go without junior tackle Ivan Foy (knee), guard/tackle Michael Lasker  (listed as lower body) and Nick Robinson (also listed as lower body).

Syracuse's strength is defense and the defensive unit will have to control Duke. That's easier said than done.

In ACC play, Duke is nearly doubling Syracuse's scoring: the Orange have put up 15.8 ppg, while Duke has averaged 28.

Each team has one game which really skews the total. For Syracuse, it's Wake Forest, where the 'Cuse scored 30 points on perhaps the ACC's weakest team.

For Duke it was Pitt last weekend, where Duke managed 51 in double overtime.

Take those out and Syracuse is averaging 12.25 while Duke is scoring 20.3.

Making life more difficult for Syracuse is that this season Duke has been allergic to turnovers and sacks.

If Syracuse can't take the ball away though, their primary hope has to be basic, tough defense. If it's a defensive struggle, the Orange has a chance. Barring  a star turn by Wilson, it's hard to see Syracuse outscoring Duke.

We've said this before but it bears repeating: under David Cutcliffe, Duke has really become a second-half team. Duke tends to get stronger as the game goes on.

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