Nov 273 min read

Hurricanes Excited for Challenge With Eye on ACC Title Game

The sixth-ranked Miami Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) travel to take on the Syracuse Orange (8-3, 4-3) in the regular season finale for the ACC foes on Nov. 30. It is only the 24th overall meeting between the two programs and the first since 2017 when the Hurricanes won 27-19. The Hurricanes hold the overall lead in the series 16-7 and are winners of the last six games. With a new head coach in Fran Brown the Orange are a formidable challenge the Hurricanes and head coach Mario Cristobal are excited for.

What's on the Line?

Besides continuing their climb toward the College Football Playoff, a win for the Hurricanes would ensure that they earn their place in the ACC Championship against the ninth-ranked SMU Mustangs (10-1, 7-0 ). Heisman Trophy-hopeful quarterback Cam Ward has the offense clicking as they currently lead the country in total yards and points scored.

For the Orange, coach Brown and quarterback Kyle McCord are in a position to have their best season since 2018 when they finished 10-3. They can potentially play the spoiler in the ACC. This season, the Orange are third in the conference averaging 454 yards per game.

Who to Keep an Eye on for the Orange

McCord has excelled in the offense and has shown the ability to deliver the ball to his playmakers in all areas of the field. He averages 7.6 yards per completion and leads the country in passing with 3,946 yards. Tight end Oronde Gadsen II has established himself as the go-to receiver for McCord. He is currently third in the conference with 810 yards. Receivers Jackson Meeks and Trebor Pena have been equally dynamic for the offense as the trio have 21 touchdowns, and Gadsen and Meeks are averaging more than 12 yards per reception. Pena is averaging just over 10 yards per reception.

Defensively, the Orange are led by defensive back Justin Barron who leads the team with 76 tackles. He also has 2 sacks, an interception and 2 pass breakups. The safety has been everywhere for the Orange and can cover against the pass as well as cover against the run. Defensive end Fadil Diggs has led the way to pressure the offense leading the team in sacks with 6.5 to go with his 41 tackles. Defensive back Clarence Lewis has been a blanket with 11 pass breakups and an interception.

Who to Watch for the Hurricanes

Offensively, Ward has been a home run for coach Mario Cristobal and this offense. Currently, his 3,774 yards passing only trails McCord in the country. He has shown a strong arm to deliver the ball to all areas of the field and the ability to alter his delivery angle as he throws. He's currently averaging 9.5 yards per pass and has thrown 34 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions. Receiver Xavier Restrepo has soared into the record books this season becoming the all-time leading receiver for the Hurricanes. He leads the team in yards (979) and receiving touchdowns (10). Receiver Isaiah Horton has paired nicely with Jacolby George and Restrepo to give the offense a three-headed monster in a dominant aerial attack.

While linebacker Francisco Mauigoa has been a machine leading the team with 75 tackles, the trio of Simeon Barrow Jr., Tyler Baron and Akheem Mesidor have been an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses. The trio has 14.5 sacks on the season and 89 tackles. In the secondary defensive back Mishael Powell has 5 interceptions which is second in the conference and 4 pass breakups on the season.

Key Matchup in the Game

Hurricanes DL vs. Orange OL

While both offenses have been prolific, the pressure the defensive lines can create to disrupt opposing offenses will be key. Will Barrow and company be able to rattle McCord more than Diggs and company will rattle Ward?