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Syracuse has completed three-fourths of its 2025 season, and the result is much different than just a year ago. Entering the month of November, the Orange were en route to a 10-win season last year, and they closed the month by knocking off then-No. 8 Miami in their regular-season finale. This year, SU rides a five-game losing streak into the matchup.

The Orange failed to win a game in October and turned to true freshman walk-on Joe Filardi in a desperate attempt to break the skid. It didn’t work as Syracuse fell to North Carolina, forcing it to win its final three games to clinch a fourth consecutive Bowl game.

SU takes on the Hurricanes in its first chance to keep its season alive. Miami ranked as highly as No. 2 in the nation, but dropped out of the top 10 after losing two of its last three games.

Here’s how our beat writers feel Syracuse (3-6, 1-5 Atlantic Coast) will fare against No. 18 Miami (6-2, 2-2 ACC):

Aiden Stepansky (6-3)
Needing a Mortgage man
Syracuse 16, Miami 40

Amid Fran Brown’s newsworthy press conference Monday, he snuck in his nickname for Miami’s starting quarterback. When the two overlapped at Georgia, Brown referred to Carson Beck as “The Mortgage Man.” While I can’t tell if that’s a dig at Beck’s possible future as a real estate agent, or a way of saying he pays the mortgage with his talent, that’s a pretty cool nickname.

Syracuse wishes it had a quarterback who could pay the mortgage right now. Regardless of Brown’s true meaning, Beck will steamroll the Orange. Whether it’s Rickie Collins, Luke Carney or Filardi under center, your guess is as good as mine. SU should’ve never turned away from Collins, but can you really go back to your ex? On the other hand, Brown wants to preserve Carney’s redshirt and Filardi didn’t show enough to keep the job.

SU can make all the coaching changes it wants and try to establish the running game to hide its passing issues, but the Hurricanes hold opponents to an ACC-best 79.3 yards per game on the ground. I’m going to assume Syracuse makes the smart adjustment and starts Collins to put some points on the board. If not, the Orange might flirt with a shutout.

No matter what, “The Mortgage Man” will persevere. SU’s defense allowed Haynes King and Gio Lopez to complete at least 79% of their passes. What is stopping Beck — the ACC’s most accurate passer — from doing the same? The answer is nothing.

Cooper Andrews (6-3)
305 > 315
Syracuse 6, Miami 44

There’s no way around it: The Orange are about as cooked as my pale, white skin will be in the South Florida sun this weekend. I legitimately don’t understand how Syracuse will score a touchdown in Miami if it chooses to start anyone not named Collins. Filardi is extraordinarily inaccurate, and the Orange don’t even let Carney attempt passes. And taking into account what my fellow scribe Aiden mentioned — the Hurricanes’ ACC-best rush defense — I wouldn’t be shocked if SU gets blanked Saturday.

I’ll give Syracuse six points for sympathy and say it only suffers a 38-point blowout loss. I expect Beck to have one of his best games in a Miami uniform, bouncing back after tossing two picks against SMU last week. While Syracuse’s defense could generate a couple of stops early, it will be mired in a horrific cycle, featuring short field position for Miami and unexpected turnovers that give the Hurricanes easy scoring opportunities.

On the other side, the Orange won’t find the end zone. The only chance they have at miraculously winning this game is if Collins starts. However, Brown seems adamant on exploring different options under center.

If I were a Syracuse fan, I’d be looking to see how Demetres Samuel Jr. plays with increased snaps and how left guard Byron Washington performs in his second collegiate start. Don’t worry about the score; that’s what basketball season is for.

Zak Wolf (8-1)
The embarrassment continues
Syracuse 10, Miami 44

I’m not convinced Syracuse can beat any Power Four team at the moment, let alone one of the ACC’s best. To make matters worse, Miami is going to be furious coming off an upset loss to SMU. The Hurricanes aren’t going to show any mercy against a putrid Syracuse squad.

SU’s starting quarterback remains a mystery. If I had to put my money on one, I’d say Collins gets the majority of the snaps Saturday. I think he gives Syracuse the best shot at winning, albeit an extremely slim one. With him under center, the Orange will still be plagued by the same issues they’ve had during their five-game winless streak.

I don’t see Syracuse’s offense moving the ball in any capacity. If Collins plays, he might have a couple of nice throws downfield, but they won’t amount to much. Meanwhile, Beck will slice through the Orange’s defense. Look out for star freshman playmaker Malachi Toney to make some electric plays after the catch. SU has struggled to tackle this season and Toney is one of the slipperiest players in the country.

Similar to the past month-plus, the matchup will be a tough watch for Syracuse fans. Miami is simply a much better football team, and there’s not much SU can do about it. Brown showed Syracuse can compete with programs like Miami last year. But the circumstances have changed drastically since then, and the Orange seem doomed to add a sixth loss to their dubious streak.

Published on November 5, 2025 at 9:26 pm