Western Michigan @ Syracuse preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2018 ) Syracuse 55, Western Michigan 42

Syracuse began the season ranked and hoping to contend for an ACC title, among other lofty goals. After three games, however, the Orange are looking to pick up the pieces heading into Saturday's home contest against Western Michigan.

Things started off nicely for Syracuse, which rolled over Liberty 24-0 in its season opener, but a 63-20 pounding at Maryland and a 41-6 rout at the hands of Clemson have exposed many of the team's flaws. Sophomore Tommy DeVito, making his third career start, needed 27 passing attempts to accumulate 172 yards and also threw an interception in the loss to Clemson. "We just hurt ourselves," DeVito told reporters. "We didn't put points on the board. That's unacceptable." Western Michigan went score for score with Syracuse in Week 1 last season, ultimately falling short in a wild 55-42 affair.

TV: Noon ET, ACC Network. LINE: Syracuse -5

ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN (2-1): Western Michigan has been involved in three blowouts thus far, sandwiching a 48-13 romp over Monmouth and a 57-10 rout of Georgia State around a 51-17 loss to Michigan State. LeVante Bellamy rushed for 192 yards and three scores as the team totaled a school-record seven rushing touchdowns in the win over Georgia State last weekend. Giovanni Ricci is one of three Broncos with 12 receptions, and his three touchdowns make him the only player on the team with multiple receiving scores.

ABOUT SYRACUSE (1-2): The Orange's rushing attack netted 15 yards on 42 attempts versus Clemson, and the team is averaging only 2.4 yards per carry on the season. DeVito is averaging 6.7 yards per passing attempt and has been sacked 14 times through three games. Andre Cisco has registered two interceptions so far, while Lakiem Williams has made 26 tackles - nine more than anyone else on the team.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Orange RB Abdul Adams has rushed 35 times, but none of his carries have gone for more than 13 yards.

2. Western Michigan QB Jon Wassink is completing 70.7 percent of his passes this season.

3. All three of DeVito's touchdown passes came in Week 2 against Maryland.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 37, Western Michigan 24