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Florida State is the final test in Syracuse’s midseason gauntlet. After starting 4-0, the Orange faltered in Atlantic Coast Conference action, losing their last two games by a combined 50 points to Clemson and then-No. 14 UNC.

In both games, highly touted opposing quarterbacks picked apart Syracuse’s secondary. Cade Klubnik dismantled SU at every level, and Drake Maye had 442 yards — the second-most passing yards in the nation last weekend — and three touchdowns. FSU quarterback Jordan Travis presents similar challenges in terms of dual-threat dominance and deep ball prowess.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Syracuse’s (4-2, 0-2 ACC) third conference showdown at No. 4 Florida State (5-0, 3-0 ACC):

All time series

12-2 Seminoles lead

Last time they played

Last season, Travis dominated the Orange, throwing more touchdowns than incompletions. Syracuse lost its fourth-straight game 38-3 and weren’t competitive throughout. It took Florida State just eight plays to lead 7-0, and the Orange offense was shut down completely.

Garrett Shrader had less total yards in the game (63) than FSU gained on that first drive (72). In two-and-a-half quarters, Travis completed 21-of-23 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns to put his team up 35. He also added 21 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Trey Benson, who returns as the starting running back, rushed for 163 yards on 9.1 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, the Orange rush attack was unusually inefficient, as Sean Tucker was held to 52 yards and Shrader finished with -2. It was a beatdown in every facet of the game, and FSU has improved significantly since then. The Orange, meanwhile, are dealing with the same lack of depth that’s plagued them for years.

Last season, Travis had his most efficient passing performance against Syracuse during what became a six-game win streak to close out the Seminoles’ season. SU was in the midst of a massive losing streak.

The Seminoles report

Florida State has won some close games this year, but it’s still the ACC’s best team. Blowing out then-No. 5 LSU in week one established the Seminoles as a potential playoff team. But then, they had to sweat out two-straight one-possession wins against Boston College and Clemson. They finished both, but the games showed some cracks in the armor on defense.

Offensively, FSU is among the most dynamic and versatile units in the country. Travis’ athleticism allows him to throw in and out of the pocket, designed or not. On the outside, 6-foot-4 receiver Keon Coleman dominates the red zone, scoring six touchdowns through five games.

There is no way to contain all the weapons in this offense, so SU will have to pick its battles. Coleman will dominate any 1-on-1 matchup with Syracuse’s corners, making safety help a priority at all times. That will limit SU’s usual blitz heavy schemes. The Seminoles have significant physical advantages on both sides of the ball. They are an all-around good football team that wins games they’re expected to, and this is one of them.

How Syracuse beats Florida State

It would take a minor miracle for Syracuse to win this game based on its performances the past two weeks. The Orange set season-lows in passing and rushing yards against Clemson, and then again versus UNC. Although, the Seminoles one weakness this season has been defending the run. If the Orange get down early and Shrader tries to pass his way back in, they will lose badly.

The read options have to be well-executed. If they aren’t, it leads to negative plays that will force Syracuse to throw downfield, which hasn’t been effective recently. Shrader and LeQuint Allen Jr. have to break tackles consistently to create their own yardage, because the offensive line won’t provide much. If all those things happen, then Syracuse could compete with FSU.

To pull off the upset, the Orange will also need to have a trick or two up their sleeves in Tallahassee. The Dan Villari trick pass was a start, but now everyone has seen it. Babers and company will need to employ some original trickery for Saturday. FSU is a 17.5-point favorite for a reason – Syracuse has to pull out all the stops to get a win.

Stat to know: 20-for-20

Florida State is one of five Division I teams to score on every trip to the red zone this season. The Seminoles have scored seven rushing and eight passing touchdowns, adding five field goals inside the 20. Up until its loss to Clemson, Syracuse was first in the nation in red zone defense. Over the past two games, it has fallen to 11th (.650). When the Seminoles are driving, they’re nearly impossible to stop, and Syracuse fared poorly in that area against Clemson and UNC.

Player to watch: RB Trey Benson

Benson averages the sixth-most yards per carry in the country (7.6) and has scored seven touchdowns in five games. The 6-foot-1, 220-lb running back wears down the defense in the trenches before breaking them with big runs. Last weekend, he erupted for 200 yards and two scores on just 11 carries, including an 85-yard touchdown. Benson and Travis together in the backfield is a big play waiting to happen, and Benson has hit his stride just in time for Syracuse.

Published on October 12, 2023 at 12:03 am

Contact Wyatt: wbmiller@syr.edu