Beat writers forecast Syracuse-Louisville result
Three of The Daily Orange beat writers predict Louisville to beat Syracuse on Saturday. SU is 6-7 all-time against the Cardinals. Spencer Bodian | Staff Photographer
Sam Blum (6-2)
Churchill Downed
Syracuse 31, Louisville 28
Syracuse reverses the direction of its season and that of Louisville’s with a win that breathes life into its bowl game hopes. Eric Dungey has the best game of his young career and Syracuse’s defense makes up for its missing pieces just enough for the most impressive win in Scott Shafer’s tenure.
Jesse Dougherty (5-3)
Where bowls go to die
Louisville 31, Syracuse 17
If Syracuse has a reeling hope of sneaking into a bowl as a six-win — or even five-win — team, that notion is fully dashed at the hands of Louisville on Saturday. The Orange offense makes a few timely mistakes in the second half and the Cardinals defense decides this one.
Matt Schneidman (6-2)
Not in the cards
Louisville 34, Syracuse 21
James Quick and Jamari Staples will pose a one-two receiving combo far too challenging for a depleted Syracuse secondary. Injuries on the side of the ball SU is weakest on don’t help and the Cardinals’ upward swing continues.
Paul Schwedelson (7-1)
Kentucky Fried Orange
Louisville 21, Syracuse 17
Syracuse’s trip to the bluegrass state is an unsuccessful one as Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability capitalizes on SU missing defensive lineman Luke Arciniega, linebacker Parris Bennett and cornerback Corey Winfield. The Orange has lost two games this year on the final play and it loses another one late in the fourth on Saturday.
