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Syracuse enters its final quarter of the regular season with plenty to prove. It’s been inconsistent, particularly with sporadic turnovers and a few games where the defense was gashed, but SU is bowl-bound in year one under Fran Brown. Now, the question is if the Orange can finally end the month of November by playing winning football.

Yet like they have been all year, the start of November yielded up-and-down results. SU defeated Virginia Tech in overtime, then lost to a middling Boston College squad on the road to begin its final month. The Orange’s next task is a matchup at Cal, as they search to avoid their first losing streak of the campaign.

Here’s what to know before Syracuse (6-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) travels cross-country to battle California (5-4, 1-4 ACC) Saturday afternoon:

All-time series

The series is tied 1-1.

Last time they played …

Most parents of those working at The Daily Orange weren’t born yet. Syracuse and Cal played twice before from 1967-68. The more recent of the two meetings featured the Golden Bears steamrolling the Orange 43-0 on Oct. 26, 1968, in Berkeley. Both teams were ranked in the top 15 of the country at the time, with SU at No. 10 and Cal at No. 11.

Hailey Hoang | Design Editor

The Golden Bears report

Social media made Cal a superstar program in September. But ever since their 3-0 start, the Golden Bears have slid. They lost their next four games — all of which were ACC contests, including a 14-9 defeat to lowly Florida State — before winning their last two. California currently sits 15th in the ACC standings with a 1-4 conference record.

What stands out about the Golden Bears is their defense. They allow 19.3 points per game and have held opponents under 20 points in six of nine games. They boast a dominant pass rush led by edge rusher Xavier Carlton, whose nine sacks rank third in the ACC. They’ve also racked up 17 interceptions — spurred by cornerback Nohl Williams’ NCAA-leading seven picks — and caused 22 total turnovers, the third-most in the country.

Yet, Cal’s weakness lies in its offensive line. Per Pro Football Focus, its run blocking grade currently is at a 53.3 mark — the 19th-worst in the country — and its pass blocking sits at 62.7, ranking in the bottom 40. Cal quarterbacks have been sacked 30 times in 2024.

Elsewhere, running back Jaydn Ott has been in and out of the lineup with injuries this year. Though quarterback Fernando Mendoza and running back Jaivian Thomas have helped pick up the slack as Cal’s offense flirts with averaging 30 points per game.

How Syracuse beats California

It’s been discussed ad nauseam, but the Orange must start fast on Saturday. All major holes they’ve been in this season have come from doing the opposite. On the road against an inferior opponent on paper is an ideal combination for SU to put together a solid first quarter. But it couldn’t even do that last week.

To start hot, the Orange must establish the Kyle McCord-Oronde Gadsden II connection. With the typical tight end lining up more frequently as a wide receiver, Boston College could not stop him. He blazed for nine catches, 114 receiving yards and a touchdown, though all of that production came after the first quarter. Gadsden is the best playmaker on SU’s offense. He can, and should, be the avenue for Syracuse to put together a quality start.

On the other hand, the Orange have to wrap up on defense. Their 50.4 PFF tackling grade is the 11th-worst mark in the country, and the lowest among ACC teams. California has an explosive running back duo with Ott and Thomas. But the Golden Bears’ offensive line is weak. So, Syracuse must invade the backfield early and often while finishing its tackles, as potential big plays early from Cal could result in another first-quarter deficit.

Stat to know: 90.1

According to PFF, the Golden Bears house the third-best special teams unit in the country. Their special teams grade of 90.1 is tied with Navy and No. 5 Indiana, and only below No. 8 Notre Dame (90.3) and Baylor (90.5).

Special teams matters. It can be the subtle difference between a win or a loss. Syracuse has weathered special teams issues all season long. The Orange have cycled between three starting kickers, failed to recover an onside kick in their second game of 2024 against Georgia Tech and, most notably, nearly lost to UNLV solely due to special teams blunders.

Player to watch: Xavier Carlton, edge rusher, No. 44

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound fifth-year senior spearheads a well-rounded Golden Bears’ defense. Carlton’s sack total ranks tied for ninth in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He also leads Cal with 10.5 tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.

Carlton has spent the last three seasons with the Golden Bears. Beforehand, he played at Utah from 2020-21, where he tallied just one sack in 15 appearances. His playing time gradually increased over the past two years, though this season, he’s at his best.

Syracuse had difficulties defending BC edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku last week, and gave up a sack to Virginia Tech star Antwaun Powell-Ryland two weeks prior. Tackles Da’Metrius Weatherspoon and Savion Washington will be put through the wringer once again, facing top-10 sack leaders three weeks in a row.

Published on November 13, 2024 at 11:14 pm

Contact Cooper at: ccandrew@syr.edu | @cooper_andrews