College Football Previews #109 and #110 - North Carolina State and Syracuse

North Carolina State looks to take the final step in 2023 and win the ACC Championship. Head Coach Dave Doeren enters his 11th season at the helm with high expectations. The Wolfpack have several tough Conference games this season but none more daunting than their home game against Clemson in late October. North Carolina State welcomes back five starters on Offense including three starters on the Offensive Line. The Wide Receiving Unit brings back one starter in senior Keyon Lesane and will need several experienced returnees to step up including junior Porter Rooks and sophomore Julian Gray. Senior Quarterback Brennan Armstrong (Virginia transfer) will need to have a great campaign if the Wolfpack want to claim a spot in the ACC Championship Game in early December. Look for senior Running Back Jordan Houston - the final returning starter on Offense - and sophomore Running Backs Demie Sumo-Karngbaye and Michael Allen to form a three headed monster in the backfield. North Carolina State returns six starters on Defense including three starters on the Defensive Line which will be anchored by senior Defensive End Savion Jackson and junior Nose Tackle C.J. Clark. The Linebacking Unit only brings back one starter in senior Weakside Linebacker Payton Wilson while several veterans will need to play bigger roles - most notably senior Strongside Linebacker Jaylon Scott and junior Middle Linebacker Devon Betty. The Secondary welcomes back two starters in a pair of shutdown Cornerbacks in juniors Aydan White and Shyheim Battle. The Special Teams Unit will be carried by sophomore Punter Caden Noonkester while senior Kicker Brayden Narveson (Western Kentucky transfer) will handle the Kicking duties. North Carolina State is still in search of that elusive double-digit win season which has only happened once in school history. The Wolfpack face several tough tests including their Season Opener which is a Non-Conference game at Connecticut. North Carolina State also travels to Duke and Wake Forest in the 2nd half of the season. I predict North Carolina State to go 8-5 and finish in 8th place in the ACC. The Wolfpack will win their Bowl Game to complete another great season.

Syracuse is entering the 2023 campaign trying to become Bowl Eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2013. Head Coach Dino Babers enters his 8th season at the helm with moderate expectations. The Orange have a ridiculously tough schedule which includes road games at North Carolina and at Florida State, along with a Neutral Field game against Pittsburgh at Yankee Stadium. Syracuse welcomes back five starters on Offense including two starters on the Offensive Line. The Wide Receiving Unit brings back one starter in junior Damien Alford and will need several experienced returnees to step up including juniors Isaiah Jones and Trebor Pena. Senior Quarterback Garrett Shrader - another returning starter - hopes to have another marquee season. Sophomore Running Back LeQuint Allen and junior Juwaun Price (New Mexico State transfer) will be the focal points of the rushing attack. Junior Tight End Oronde Gadsden II - the final returning starter on Offense - gives the Team another Red Zone threat. Syracuse returns eight starters on Defense including all three starters on the Defensive Line which will be anchored by senior Defensive End Caleb Okechukwu and junior Defensive Tackle Kevon Darton. The Linebacking Unit also brings back all three starters and will be led by junior Linebacker Marlowe Wax and sophomore Linebacker Stefon Thompson. The Secondary only welcomes back two starters in junior Safeties Justin Barron and Alijah Clark. The Special Teams Unit is inexperienced with sophomore Kicker James Williams and sophomore Punter Max Von Marburg handling the Kicking and Punting duties respectively. Syracuse has a steep challenge ahead of them this year due to their schedule and will only be favored in a few games. In addition to their road contests the Orange also host Clemson and Wake Forest and Army in a Non-Conference game in late September. I predict Syracuse to go 7-6 and finish in 10th place in the ACC. The Orange will qualify for a Bowl Game and fall short in that game most likely putting Head Coach Dino Babers job in jeopardy heading into the offseason.

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