Syracuse Orange v. Army Black Knights Prediction & Preview (9/23/23)

Syracuse (3-0) looks to close out its non-conference schedule undefeated when it hosts Army at home.

Opponent: Army Black Knights (2-1)

Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.

Location: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.

TV: ACC Network

Dare we say there's been a tinge of the legacy 1959 SU national championship team embedded in the 2023 team's impressive 3-0 start.

The combined 113-7 margin of victory over Colgate and Western Michigan in the first two games, was the largest in consecutive contests since the '59 team routed Colgate and Boston University in November of that season by a combined 117-0.

After impressively defeating Purdue behind game-changing quarterback Garrett Shrader and a tenacious defense to move to 3-0, it marks the first time a Syracuse coach, Dino Babers, has led the Orange to consecutive 3-0 starts since Ben Schwartzwalder's 1959-60 teams accomplished the feat.

That team statistical note certainly makes Schwartzwalder's official induction at halftime Saturday to the university's Ring of Honor, along with the opposition being Army on Military Appreciation Day (Schwartzwalder was an Army Purple Heart recipient for his life saving heroics during World War II), all the more poetic.

For the Black Knights, even with the offensive scheme switch by 10th year head coach Jeff Monken placing the quarterback (Bryson Daily) in shotgun formation instead of normally under center running the signature triple option, Army still runs (65 attempts last week in the road win over Texas-San Antonio), a lot, and that won't change Saturday even in back-to-back indoor games. The Black Knights defense, especially the secondary, will be tested by Shrader and his receivers running productive routes.

In the end, obviously, it's the Orange players on the field who will have to provide a happy ending to the afternoon's story.

After his near five touchdown rushing performance at Purdue (only Jim Brown (6), Floyd Little, and Walter Reyes have rushed for five TDs in a game), Shrader figures to get in on the scoring parade against Army, but he has to avoid taking as many hits as the season reaches the one-third mark. This is also a game to focus on the offensive line opening up yardage for LeQuint Allen

In the preseason we predicted that the defense and special teams would also score points in this contest, and if either event occurs, would certainly be standout contributions and another "wow" factor included in completing an accomplishment (4-0 start) that only five Syracuse squads have achieved since the '59 title team.

The early kickoff provides a convenient schedule for hundreds of Cadets to make the relatively easy morning bus trip up from West Point, but they go home disappointed as Syracuse prevails over Army 42-17.

----

Chat about this story and all things Syracuse and Syracuse recruiting on our premium message board, Cuse Classified!

Follow us on Twitter @TheJuiceOnline, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @SUJuiceOnline and listen to our podcast.

Tips/questions/concerns? E-mail Recruiting Analyst Charles Kang here.

Not a subscriber to The Juice Online? Join today for access to all our premium content and message board community.