Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Syracuse Orange Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
Kyron Drones and Virginia Tech are currently showcasing their finest performance of the season.
However, the same cannot be said for Kyle McCord and Syracuse, who have been struggling to find their footing.
This Saturday, the Hokies and Drones will travel to face the Orange in an intriguing Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. McCord will be looking to bounce back and regain his form.
After close losses to Rutgers and then-No. 7 Miami in September, the Hokies (5-3, 3-1 ACC) have turned things around in October. They have defeated Stanford, Boston College, and Georgia Tech by at least 15 points each, while only allowing a total of 34 points.
Last week, Drones was the standout player in their 21-6 victory over Georgia Tech. He threw a touchdown pass, rushed for a score, and caught a TD pass, totaling 132 yards from scrimmage.
"I am willing to do whatever it takes for this team," Drones stated. "We played an outstanding game. Our defense was phenomenal. On offense, we still have some things to work on, but a win is a win."
On the other hand, Syracuse (5-2, 2-2) seemed to have some momentum going with three consecutive wins. However, it all came crashing down in their last game against then-No. 19 Pitt.
McCord struggled, throwing five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns, in a disappointing 41-13 loss.
"He is our quarterback and our leader. That is why we stuck with him and will continue to do so," said Orange coach Fran Brown. "He just had one bad game, it happens in football. I believe you will see his fighting spirit as he moves forward from here."
Syracuse may rely more heavily on LeQuint Allen, who leads the team in rushing yards with 481. However, he was limited to just 32 yards on 15 attempts in their last game against Pitt.
"We will come out and play our game," Brown stated about the upcoming matchup with Virginia Tech. "We do not want a repeat of our last game. We have confidence in our quarterback, but it was just an off night for the entire team."
In their last meeting, Virginia Tech dominated Syracuse with a 38-10 victory at home. The Hokies outgained the Orange 528-137 in total yards and did not allow a single third-down conversion.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Syracuse Orange Recap NOV 2TH 2024
LeQuint Allen ran for three touchdowns -- including the late tying score and the decisive score in overtime -- as host Syracuse rallied from an 18-point deficit to stun Virginia Tech 38-31 on Saturday.
Allen rushed 21 times for 121 yards, while Justus Ross-Simmons, who came in without a catch on the season, nabbed two TD receptions for the Orange (6-2, 3-2 ACC). Kyle McCord went 24-of-35 passing for 280 yards with two touchdowns and one interception to help Syracuse become bowl-eligible for the third straight season.
Virginia Tech (5-4, 3-2) watched its three-game winning streak come to an end despite a productive day from Collin Schlee (16-of-24 passing, 206 yards, TD) and three rushing scores, including one by Schlee. The Hokies led by a touchdown late in regulation before allowing Allen's 1-yard TD run with 29 seconds left.
That set up an overtime session in which Syracuse opened with Allen's 9-yard scoring run, as he caromed off defenders into the end zone. On the ensuing possession, Marlowe Wax forced a fumble by Schlee, and Fadil Diggs recovered to send the Syracuse sideline into a frenzy.
Virginia Tech jumped out 14-0 behind a pair of first-quarter rushing touchdowns, and the Hokies were still in control midway through the third when Schlee found Ali Jennings for a 12-yard TD pass to make it 21-3.
However, the Orange continued to fight, as McCord hooked up with Ross-Simmons for a 55-yard scoring strike less than two minutes later. After a Hokies punt, McCord found Trebor Pena for 41 yards to set up Allen's 1-yard TD run.
The next Virginia Tech possession ended when Jeremiah Coney fumbled and Wax recovered at the Hokies 39. Syracuse didn't need long to cash in, as McCord connected with Ross-Simmons for a 28-yard score to put the hosts in front.
However, Jackson Kennedy's extra point was blocked, leaving Syracuse ahead 24-21 with 14:22 remaining.
Eight plays later, the visitors regained the lead as Malachi Thomas (14 carries, 73 yards) ran in for a 15-yard score.
The Orange punted on their next trip, setting up another Hokies score, a 27-yard field goal by John Love to make it 31-24 with 5:16 to play.