STANFORD AT SYRACUSE
Records: Stanford (1-1, 0-0 ACC); Syracuse (2-0, 1-0 ACC)
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m., Friday, at JMA Wireless Dome
TV: ESPN
Radio: KNBR 1050
Series History: First meeting
Stanford Storylines: This will be the first conference game for the Cardinal as members of the ACC. Stanford won its first game of the season against Cal Poly two weeks ago in a 41-7 thumping at home. Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor will continue to play a key role in the offense as he has averaged 73.5 receiving yards and five catches per game to start the season. Defensively, Stanford will need to take a big step forward coming off a bye week. A strong Stanford start on offense could bode well as the Orange have allowed an average of 25 points per game this season. Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord has played in big games before as Ohio State’s starter last season and is off to a great start to this season. Look for the Stanford secondary to be tested early against Syracuse’s pass-heavy offense.
Syracuse storylines: Another Syracuse win could put the upstate New York school in the conversation for a top team in the conference early in the season. The Orange upset No. 24 Georgia Tech two weeks ago, just before their bye week. Syracuse has found success through the air and that does not look like it will change on Friday. McCord already has totaled 735 yards and eight touchdowns through two games this season. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II is McCord’s favorite target, hauling in 13 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns in Syracuse’s two wins.
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Stats that matter: Syracuse averages 497.5 yards of offense per game and is the 15th best offense in FBS so far this season. … Stanford’s run defense ranks 10th in the NCAA and first in the ACC through two games. The Cardinal are allowing 64 rushing yards per game and opponents have only seen the end zone twice on the ground. … The last road game Stanford won was at Washington State in November of last season.
– Nathan Canilao