When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
The place: JMA Wi-fi Dome, Syracuse, New York
Newest line: Miami is favored by 11 factors
TV: ESPN
Radio: 560 WQAM
Climate: Domed stadium
On-line: sunsentinel.com/um; @ABLichtenstein on X (previously Twitter), @adamlichtenstein.bsky.social on BlueSky
Fast slant: The Hurricanes’ regular-season finale holds a ton of weight. If Miami wins, it clinches a spot within the ACC title recreation and could be one win away from the Faculty Soccer Playoff. If the Hurricanes lose, their postseason hopes hinge on a possible at-large bid within the playoffs if the choice committee deems them worthy.
About No. 6 Miami (10-1, 6-1 ACC): The Hurricanes come into this recreation after considered one of their finest defensive performances of the yr. UM surrendered only one defensive landing in a win over Wake Forest after weeks of defensive struggles.
About Syracuse (8-3, 4-3): The Orange have performed nicely for first-year coach Fran Brown, securing a strong report and a bowl spot. Now Syracuse has an opportunity to play spoiler. Kyle McCord is the one quarterback with extra passing yards than Cam Ward, and he poses a risk when he has the ball.
Three issues to observe
1. The Hurricanes’ protection has lagged behind the offense for a lot of the yr, permitting unranked groups like Cal, Duke and Virginia Tech to stay with Miami for giant swaths of recreation time. However in opposition to the Demon Deacons, UM stepped up. The protection had a number of red-zone stops and allowed only one defensive rating — a protection breakdown on the sport’s opening drive. Miami should play nicely once more in opposition to a powerful Orange offense.
2. One of many stars on Syracuse’s offense is enjoying in opposition to his hometown group. Tight finish Oronde Gadsden II is a South Florida native and the son of former Miami Dolphin Oronde Gadsden. The youthful Gadsden starred at American Heritage however was a three-star prospect and didn’t have a UM supply. He has turn into a star with the Orange and is third within the ACC with 810 receiving yards.
3. The Hurricanes have too many proficient operating backs to get all of them on the sphere. Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher Jr. have been UM’s prime operating backs this yr, however freshman Jordan Lyle made a case for why he deserves extra snaps in opposition to Wake Forest final week. The St. Thomas Aquinas alum had 115 yards on simply seven carries and notched an 18-yard rating, and UM coach Mario Cristobal mentioned he is likely one of the finest operating backs he has ever recruited.