Wake Forest @ Syracuse preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2006 ) Syracuse 10, Wake Forest 20

THE STORY: An even bigger shocker than Syracuse’s resurgence in 2010 would be its staying power in 2011. The Orange, fresh off their best season since 2001, took huge blows to the defensive side of the ball where they lost two All-Big East linebackers and three linemen to graduation. That inexperience and undersized front is more than worrisome against Wake Forest, which returns four offensive linemen to which Orange nose tackle Deon Goggins called, “the biggest O-line we’re going to face all year.”

TV: ESPN3.com. LINE: Syracuse -6.5

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (3-9, 1-7 ACC): The Demon Deacons averaged just 302 yards of offense per game last season where they ended up on the bottom of the ACC’s Atlantic Division. Quarterback Tanner Price threw just seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in his freshman campaign but could be vastly improved – especially if the running game helps him out. Josh Harris earned Freshman All-American honors carrying the ball last season and has looked even better in summer scrimmages, even bolting for a 96-yard touchdown. The biggest hurdle for Wake will be the switch to a 3-4 defense after they allowed 431 yards per game in 2010.

ABOUT SYRACUSE (8-5, 4-3 Big East): Ryan Nassib has shown a veteran command of the offense and increased accuracy (just 56 percent in 2010) since the spring game. Coach Doug Marrone has asked the second-year starter to limit the downfield throws and live underneath while relying on a healthy running game to chew up clock. Those seconds might take longer to tick down, though, with the loss of Delone Carter (1,233 yards, nine touchdowns) to graduation.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Syracuse finished seventh in total defense last season but has new starters at five different positions this season.

2. Cornerback is not one of those, and that’s a bad sign for Wake, whose leading receiver from a year ago, Devon Brown, left the team.

3. SU also lost a leading receiver, as senior Marcus Sales (15.9 yards per catch in 2010) was busted on a drug charge. Senior Van Chew (611 yards, five TDs) will be the Orange’s No. 1 option.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 23, Wake 14 -- There’s no replacing the toughness and agility of Carter, but senior Antwon Bailey (554 yards, two TDs in 2010) still gets to run in the same zone-blocking system. Senior Mikhail Marinovich will win enough 1-on-1 battles in the trenches for Syracuse to prevent long, back-breaking runs by Harris.