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Staff Picks: Wake Forest vs. Syracuse

The Deacs will travel to central New York, which I've heard is lovely this time of year, to take on the Syracuse Orange in a game that both teams desperately need in their quests for bowl eligibility. Find out what the BSD staff thinks is going to happen tomorrow at 12:30.

By Robert Reinhard
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The staff is a collective 26-14 through 8 weeks, with Samurai leading the way at 6-2.

Bart (5-3)

If Wake runs the same offense that we have the past few games that will be more than Syracuse's pass defense can handle. Syracuse hasn't hasn't been able to score much against better defenses and Wake's defense has done a fantastic job limiting/shutting down the past few ACC offenses we have played. Wake rolls.

Prediction: 34-14

Riley (5-3)

I feel very good about how we're playing now and fully expect this team to go up to Syracuse and take care of business.

Prediction: Wake 31-14

Samurai (6-2)

I'm riding with the Deacs on this one.  This team has fire on a level we haven't seen for several years, and I think the loss at Miami will stick in their craw (I know it's sticking in mine).  I'm going to go 31-17 Deacs, and the unusual stat of the game will be two picks for the Deacon secondary, including one for a touchdown.  I really really want this team to make a bowl, and I think they pretty much need to win this game in order to get there.  Good thing I think they'll win, right?

Prediction: Wake 31-17

Rob (5-3)

Last week's loss against Miami was certainly difficult to swallow. However, although I'm not one for moral victories, there were a lot of positives that I saw out of our team last week that I believe will absolute carry into this upcoming game against Syracuse. Tanner Price is playing at the highest level of his career and considering that Syracuse is 104th nationally in pass defense (when only looking at games against FBS opponents) I fully anticipate Tanner Price will find Michael Campanaro and Tyree Harris among others open most of the afternoon.

Additionally Terrel Hunt beat out Drew Allen in their quarterback battle this week, but it's worth noting that they split first team reps in practice and hopefully that translates into less cohesiveness when Syracuse is on offense. And finally, Syracuse's kicker decided to have a Budweiser even though he wasn't 21 (terrible, I know) so the Orange will be left with someone who has never attempted a collegiate kick.

I'm taking the Deacs to win 27-17 (I know, you're probably wondering why I'm predicting Syracuse will make a field goal. Trust me, they will) and improve to 5-4 on the season.

Prediction: Wake 27-17

J.P. Mundy (5-3)

Jim Grobe said during his weekly press conference that his team was "close" to being a good team, but they've got to continue playing hard. The biggest change in this team, aside from the tweaking of the offense, has been the energy of this team as they emerge from the locker room. In no way, shape or form do these guys resemble the lot that plodded through the ULM game.

I think if Wake Forest can bring the same level of execution and effort to upstate New York as it's shown the last three games, the Deacs will have a solid conference road win. If their heads are still in Miami Gardens lamenting what might have been, however, it could be another long afternoon for the Deacs.

All that aside, there's too many seniors on this Wake Forest team to let that happen. Execute, execute, execute.

Wake Forest 24, Syracuse 10. Unless Syracuse can run, and then it's 24-20. Either way, Deacs win.

Prediction: Wake 24-20/10

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