NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The Syracuse Orange will face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the first time since2022. The history with the Fighting Irish has not been in Syracuse’s favor, as they are 3-8 and on a five-game losing streak. To make matters worse, the Orange have been outscored by an average of 21.4 points per game. So, the question is not only how they can win but also, if they fail, how they can stay competitive.
“Perfectly Balanced, As All Things Should Be”
It could be said that Notre Dame has a run-first offense. Led by C.J. Carr, the Irish have attempted 272 passes compared to 367 rushing attempts, approximately 42% passing and 58% rushing; however, that balance can be misleading. Despite the skewed attempts, most of their yards have come through the air, with 58% of their total yardage from passing and 42% on the ground. Regarding touchdowns, 28 have been on the ground and 21 through the air. Statistically speaking, the team is tough to cover.
How does Syracuse overcome this? It won’t be easy. Notre Dame demonstrates the ability to control the game tempo by staying in attack mode. Syracuse will need to limit big gains through the air and crowd the line in short-yardage situations. However, to do that, they risk exposing themselves to big plays via the pass. Ultimately, no one can afford to be out of position or miss assignments, so Syracuse must play mistake-free football.
Bread and Butter
It won’t be easy with a freshman quarterback, but Joe Filardi will have to step in and step up. In his last outing against North Carolina on Halloween, the young QB struggled. Whether due to nerves or being underprepared, that game is in the past now. Filardi will need to take control of his team in this matchup, as Notre Dame will be a much tougher opponent. Finding what works early and sticking with it will be key. If something’s effective, stick with it. Conventional wisdom should be set aside—nothing fancy, nothing cute—just run the game plan that’s coming to you.
Coaching Masterclass
You don’t beat a ninth-ranked team like Notre Dame without knowing what you’re doing. Luckily, Fran Brown has shown he can close out a season by beating a ranked team, as he did with Miami last year. The biggest challenge for Brown will be ensuring his coaches and players adjust in real time. With a team capable of attacking the way the Irish do, every decision must be made on the spot and be the right one. Notre Dame is an elite program that executes well. If Fran Brown wants to prove his team is elite too, this game is his chance. It will require more than just passion on the sideline—his knowledge and decision-making will be under scrutiny. How the Orange responds in this high-stakes game will significantly impact its record. He has the expertise; now it’s about ensuring everyone shows up.
It will be an uphill battle for the Syracuse Orange when they face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but it doesn’t have to be hopeless. The bowl game chances are gone, but at 3:30 PM EST on Saturday, Syracuse will be playing for pride. They’ve never shown signs of giving up. Let’s see how they rise to the challenge.
