Florida State travels north to end ACC play against Syracuse.

With the season fast approaching, and college football rolling full-steam ahead with current scheduling and formatting, fans are eager to hit the stands and cheer on their favorite team. 2022 is a do-or-die season for Mike Norvell’s tenure at Florida State. While there was much to be proud of in FSU’s 2021 campaign, the 0-4 record, including a shocking loss to Jacksonville State, has left many speculating whether Norvell is the man for the job. Winning more than 6 games this season might be what it takes to demonstrate that the CLIMB is more than just rhetoric on Norvell’s part. To generate a buzz and momentum on the trail, the Seminoles must showcase their growth in wins this season.

It’s now or never; for the Seminole faithful, it’s time to preview our upcoming season’s opponents.

Game 10: Syracuse

Head Coach: Dino Babers (HC Record 66-59)

Mascot: Otto the Orange

Conference: ACC

2021 Record: 5-7

History vs Florida State: 

There is not much history between these two opponents. Florida State leads the all-time series 12-2, with Syracuse’s only wins coming in their first game back in 1966 (21-37 Syracuse), and more recently in 2018 (7-30 Syracuse). Both games were won at the JMA Wireless (formerly Carrier) Dome. The Seminoles maintain every other win between and since these two games and have played annually since the 2013 season.

Syracuse Storylines to Follow

Dino Babers Roaring Hot Seat

Dino Babers has a career record of 66-59 as head coach but is only 29-43 at Syracuse in his six seasons there so far. Of those seasons, only one season topped .500, which was their 2018 campaign where the Orangemen went 10-3. While Syracuse doesn’t have a recent history of success on the gridiron, the general trajectory has been relatively neutral for Syracuse, and in a landscape that is rapidly evolving and a Conference with mounting expectations for their member institutions to perform, neutral will not be enough to justify retaining Dino if he has another sub-.500 season.

Familiar Signal Callers

Syracuse returns their starting quarterback in Garrett Shrader, which Seminoles should already be familiar with. Interestingly enough, there’s another name that Seminoles might recall as well in UF transfer Carlos Del Rio-Wilson. Redshirt freshman Justin Lamson went down with a season-ending knee injury in spring camp, meaning the starting slot belongs to Shrader. Interestingly enough, Syracuse is installing a new pro-style offense this season after the departure of former OC Sterlin Gilbert and the arrival of Robert Anae and Jason Beck. Additional contributors are third-year redshirt freshman JaCobian Morgan & redshirt freshman Dan Villari (transfer from Michigan).

Running Back Star

There’s no question that the star player at Syracuse is Junior running back Sean Tucker. He finished fourth nationally at 1,496 rushing yards, broke a program record 100-yard or more rushing games in seven straight last season, and garnered 12 rushing touchdowns 20 receptions, 255 receiving yards, and two touchdowns through the air. The ambitious talent claims he will be even better this season, and has set personal goals to break his rushing yardage again this season, with aspirations of contending for the Heisman and Doak Walker awards.

Gameday Details

The Seminoles make their way to Syracuse, NY to play the Orangemen in the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, November 12th, 2022. The game time and broadcast are still TBD.

Keep up with the latest from Double Fries No Slaw by catching our latest episodes.

-Ed Kennedy