Senior Day in South Bend: Notre Dame vs. Syracuse

📸 Credit: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/sports/2022/10/29/syracuse-drops-second-game-in-a-row-with-41-24-loss-to-notre-dame

As the chill of late November sweeps across the Midwest, Notre Dame Stadium will transform into a cauldron of blue and gold on Saturday afternoon. The No. 9 Fighting Irish (8-2) host the Syracuse Orange (3-7) in a Senior Day clash that feels more like a coronation than a contest. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, with the Irish entering as massive 35.5-point favorites and a total of 51.5 points, per FanDuel Sportsbook. For Notre Dame, they remain just two wins from a near-guaranteed berth and perhaps a home opener in the expanded 12-team playoff format. For Syracuse, it's another stop on a grim six-game skid, where they've been outscored by an average of 22.5 points per outing.

Irish on the Rise

Notre Dame's path to this point hasn't been flawless—a pair of early-season stumbles dropped them from the undefeated perch they held through much of September and October. But under head coach Marcus Freeman, the Irish have rebounded with authority, including a statement 37-15 road thumping of then-No. 22 Pittsburgh last weekend.

Freeman's squad enters with eyes on the bigger prize, but Saturday doubles as a heartfelt sendoff for 20 seniors. The Heisman dark horse, Jeremiyah Love, has been a force, and this matchup could be his showcase—analysts are already buzzing about how a blowout here bolsters his case as "the best player in college football." Defensively, Notre Dame ranks top-15 nationally in scoring defense (under 18 points allowed per game), primed to feast on an Orange offense averaging just 16 points in ACC play.

Injuries have tested the Irish's depth, though. WR Jaden Greathouse (hamstring) remains sidelined after a frustrating year limited to four catches for 73 yards, opening more reps for transfer Will Pauling in the slot. Up front, starting center Ashton Craig and guard Billy Schrauth are nursing knee issues but expected back before the playoffs; redshirt sophomore Sullivan Absher steps in at left guard. Despite the hits, Notre Dame's resilience shines—last year's national championship run (ending in a title game loss to Ohio State) forged a mentality that's carried over.

Orange Squeeze: A Season Gone Sour

What started with promise for Fran Brown's Syracuse has devolved into a nightmare. The Orange bolted to a 3-1 mark, capped by a shocking double-digit upset at Clemson that had ACC radars pinging. But then came the cruel twist: QB Steve Angeli, who was pacing the nation in passing yards, suffered a season-ending injury in that victory. The ripple effect? A six-game hemorrhage, including a 28-point drubbing at Miami last time out.

Defensively, they've bent but not always broken, forcing turnovers in spurts, but the secondary has been torched for 250+ passing yards in four straight losses. Two rotation players are lost for the year to undisclosed injuries, compounding a roster already thin on experience. At 3-7, bowl hopes evaporated weeks ago; this road finale is about pride and prepping for 2026.

History Favors the Irish

📸 Credit: https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/fighting-irish/football/2020/12/06/notre-dame-football-syracuse-picutres-ian-book/78846091007/

These programs have tangled 11 times since 1914, with Notre Dame owning an 8-3 edge overall—and a perfect 5-0 streak dating back to 2014. The most recent meeting, a 41-24 Irish rout in Syracuse's dome in 2022, saw Notre Dame's defense stifle the Orange late. Nine of those 11 games have come in November or December, often as lopsided Senior Day affairs for the hosts. Syracuse's last win? A gritty 2009 upset in the Carrier Dome. Don't expect a sequel—experts peg this as a 41-14 Irish rout, with Notre Dame's superior lines dictating terms.

What to Watch: Playoff Polish and Senior Swagger

Love's Last Dance: Can Jeremiyah Love eclipse 150 all-purpose yards, torching a Syracuse run D that's surrendered 180+ in three of six losses?

QB Contrast: Carr's poise vs. Syracuse's freshman flux—expect the Irish to air it out early, targeting 300+ passing yards.

Turnover Battle: Notre Dame's plus-8 giveaway edge meets an Orange unit that's forced 15 picks but coughed up 18 themselves.

Weather Factor: Crisp 40s in South Bend could favor the Irish's ground pounders over Syracuse's shaky pass protection.

📸 Credit: https://www.syracuse.com/betting/2022/10/notre-dame-vs-syracuse-spread-pick-and-injury-report-for-cfb-week-9.html

In a season defined by redemption arcs, Notre Dame treats Syracuse as a tune-up for Stanford next week and beyond. The Irish aren't just playing for pride—they're auditioning for January glory. Tune in as South Bend salutes its seniors and the Fighting Irish keep their championship dreams alive.

Go Irish!