Syracuse @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2012 ) Northwestern 42, Syracuse 41

Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian was the hero for Northwestern against Syracuse last season, and he may get a chance to squeeze the Orange again this weekend. In Northwestern’s 2012 season opener, Siemian came on for an injured Kain Colter and threw the game-winning touchdown pass with 44 seconds left, lifting his team to a 42-41 victory over the Orange. With Colter banged up again, Siemian could get the start for the No. 20 Wildcats on Saturday in their home opener versus Syracuse.

Northwestern is coming off a 44-30 victory at California in which the offense piled up 508 yards despite Colter suffering a concussion on the opening drive. Siemian came on to pass for 276 yards and a touchdown, while the Northwestern defense also made some big plays, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns by junior linebacker Collin Ellis. Syracuse fell to Penn State 23-17 last week in the debut of senior quarterback Drew Allen, a transfer from Oklahoma who was 16-of-37 for 189 yards and two interceptions against the Nittany Lions.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Northwestern -12.

ABOUT SYRACUSE (0-1): The Orange will need more out of their running game after Jerome Smith and Prince-Tyson Gulley combined for 97 yards on 28 carries in Week 1. Allen played the entire game against Penn State, but sophomore quarterback Terrel Hunt could see action this weekend if Allen continues to struggle. Syracuse is 55-94-8 all-time against Big Ten teams, though its last victory came against Northwestern on Sept. 19, 2009.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (1-0): With starting running back Venric Mark nursing an injury, Treyvon Green ran for a career-high 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries against Cal. On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats’ stout rush defense limited the Golden Bears to 93 yards on 35 attempts. However, the win came with a price as starting cornerback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first half.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Northwestern has won 13 straight non-conference games at home dating back to Sept. 15, 2007.

2. Syracuse first-year coach Scott Shafer expects his offense to “open up the playbook a little bit,” according to Syracuse.com.

3. This is the fourth matchup between the Wildcats and Orange in the last six seasons. Northwestern has won two of the first three, including last year’s thriller.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 27, Syracuse 10