Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1313320
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DEC. 5, 2020 39 played more than three games. On the other side of the ball, thanks in good part to the elusiveness and ability to extend the play by fifth- year quarterback Ian Book, Notre Dame was the fifth-best FBS team at converting third-down situations at 53.6 percent (60 of 112). Meanwhile, Syracuse's valiant defense that has been on the field far too long was 100th in third-down stoppage at 46.2 percent (67 of 145). As previously noted, that can often be a case of fa- tigue because the Orange offense is last in the country in time of posses- sion per game. Where Syracuse's efforts on de- fense have especially been squan- dered is it forced 20 turnovers (nine fumbles and 11 interceptions) — the most in the country — during the team's 1-8 start. However, that has been nullified by committing 17 turn- overs of their own. Book entered the North Carolina game Nov. 27 at 195 straight passes without an interception, the second- longest streak in the program's his- tory, but ball security has been the one issue overall on offense with three lost fumbles at Boston College, where standout running back Kyren Williams lost his third this season. The Irish were able to overcome a 3-2 deficit in turnovers against the Eagles by limiting them to just three points after those miscues. Syracuse has had problems scoring with or without turnovers by the opposition. DECEMBER DOINGS Exactly 67 years to the day that four-time national champion Frank Leahy coached his final game at Notre Dame on Dec. 5, 1953, the Fighting Irish are slated to play on their home surface for the first time since then in the month of December when it hosts Syracuse. That 40-14 victory over SMU re- sulted in Leahy's sixth unbeaten campaign (9-0-1 and a final No. 2 fin- ish) in 11 seasons at his alma mater, and earned a victory ride from his players. It also was only the second time Notre Dame hosted a game in December since its opening in 1930. The other was a 28-7 victory over No. 12-ranked Great Lakes, a World War II team, on Dec. 2, 1944. Coincidentally, Syracuse also hap- pened to be the most recent Notre Dame opponent played in December during the regular season. On Dec. 6, 2003 at the Carrier Dome, the Orange administered a 38-12 beating on head coach Tyrone Willingham's Irish that capped a dismal 5-7 year in which the Irish lost four games by 26 to 38 points. Two years earlier, the Fighting Irish finished their season Dec. 1, 2001 with a 24-18 win at Purdue. The game had been postponed from its original Sept. 15 date due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the country. The day after the loss to the Boiler- makers, Bob Davie was dismissed as Notre Dame's head coach because of the 5-6 outcome that season. Barring any cancellations because of COVID-19, the 2020 campaign will mark the first time Notre Dame will play more than one regular-season game in the month of December, with a trip to Wake Forest Dec. 12 also on the docket because coronavirus concerns at Notre Dame postponed the original trip to Winston-Salem on Sept. 26. Head coach Brian Kelly's squad also is projected to play Clemson in the ACC Championship Dec. 19 in Charlotte, N.C., although that is counted as a postseason outing in- stead of a regular-season contest. Because the first semester at Notre Dame was completed Nov. 20, there also will be no student body at the Syracuse game. Consequently, with no public sale of tickets, the game against the Orange could be the low- est on record in attendance at Notre Dame Stadium. The current mark is 6,663 on Oct. 15, 1932, a 62-0 trounc- ing of Drake at the height of The Great Depression. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: SYRACUSE Fifth-year senior defensive lineman McKinley Williams led the Orange with seven tackles for loss in the first nine games, but he and the rest of the Syracuse defense struggled getting off the field on third down, allowing opponents to convert 46.2 percent of the time, which ranked 100th nationally. PHOTO BY DENNIS NETT/COURTESY SYRACUSE ATHLETICS Predictions Todd Burlage: Notre Dame 52, Syracuse 10 After going 10-3 in 2018 to secure the best finish for Syracuse in 17 years, head coach Dino Babers and the Orange have been in a full meltdown since the middle of 2019 and have the worst statistical rankings of any Irish opponent. Patrick Engel: Notre Dame 45, Syracuse 7 This is the last game of the year for a 1-8 team in the middle of a pandemic season. I find it hard to think Syracuse is particularly interested in playing it. The best chance of Notre Dame not winning is the game not taking place. Andrew Mentock: Notre Dame 49, Syracuse 9 Syracuse is overmatched from the start and the game is out of hand by halftime. The Irish empty their bench midway through the third quarter, giving reserves ample playing time and starters rest for the final playoff push. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 38, Syracuse 9 This is a spot where Notre Dame could be looking ahead past a vastly inferior opponent and struggle a bit, especially at the outset. But Syracuse has been terrible this season, so the Irish should have no significant problems. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 42, Syracuse 3 Clemson was so bored to have to play against the hapless Orange that it led only 27-21 with two minutes left in the third quarter before winning 47-21. On Senior Day, the Fighting Irish shouldn't be as flat as the Tigers were.