The Stanford Cardinal and Syracuse Orange matchup on September 20, 2024, presents a fascinating clash between two teams navigating different paths early in the season. Stanford comes into this game with a 1-1 record, having shown both promise and inconsistency in their opening two games. After a narrow loss to TCU, where they led at halftime but faltered late, Stanford bounced back convincingly against Cal Poly. Quarterback Ashton Daniels has been a dual threat, demonstrating his ability to lead both the passing and rushing attacks for Stanford. However, their defense has been suspect, particularly against the pass, allowing an average of 278.5 yards per game, which ranks them low nationally. On the other hand, Syracuse has started the season strongly with a 2-0 record. The Orange have showcased an impressive offense led by quarterback Kyle McCord, who has been prolific with 354 and 381 passing yards in their first two games.

McCord’s connection with wide receiver Oronde Gadsden has been a key feature, making Syracuse’s passing game one of the best in the nation early on. Defensively, Syracuse has been more stable than Stanford but still has room for improvement, especially in their secondary. Their ability to control the clock and convert on third downs (59.4% conversion rate) has been a cornerstone of their game plan, helping them edge out opponents and maintain possession effectively. The game’s outcome could hinge on which team establishes its game plan early and avoids costly turnovers. For Stanford, limiting McCord and the high-powered Syracuse offense will be crucial, while Syracuse will need to contain Ashton Daniels and prevent big plays. This game is likely to be decided by which quarterback can better exploit the opposing defense’s weaknesses and manage the game under pressure.