Notre Dame vs. Syracuse: Game Preview, Prediction and Players to Watch

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will attempt to salvage a disappointing 2016 campaign when they challenge the Syracuse Orange in a neutral-site tilt on Saturday.

Championship aspirations are long gone for Notre Dame, which has now opened a season 1-3 11 times in the program's 110-year history. The Irish lost to Duke 38-35 last week and will try to rebound at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Syracuse's (2-2) uptempo offense poses a legitimate threat to a team that just fired its defensive coordinator. Earning a victory would jump-start Dino Babers' rebuild at the school.

Kickoff is slated for noon ET on ESPN. Notre Dame opened as a 12-point favorite, per Odds Shark.

Notre Dame Keys to Victory

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Rally Around DeShone Kizer

Coaches use motivational tricks all the time. No matter what Brian Kelly suggests, however, it would be ridiculous if he actually decided to use Brandon Wimbush over DeShone Kizer this season.

Through four games, Kizer has accounted for 1,282 yards and 16 touchdowns compared to just four turnovers.

So, sure, Kizer has made a few mistakes, but he's not the problem. If the Irish want to avoid another disaster, they'll keep Kizer in the game. Without him, the three losses wouldn't have been close.

Kelly has already said this season that Kizer doesn't have to carry the team. Players around him need to start excelling.

Stop Making Big Mistakes

At times, Syracuse's offense will fail. But it'll fail fast. As a result, the Orange will have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of an injury-riddled and mediocre defense.

Only 23 teams have allowed more 30-plus-yard gains, and Notre Dame's defense is the only unit in the country to have surrendered five of 60 yards or more. Breakdowns are crushing the Irish.

Brian VanGorder's dismissal is not an instant fix. The same players who struggled against Texas' uptempo attack are taking the field against Syracuse. That experience must show on Saturday.

Syracuse Keys to Victory

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Go, Go, Go

You won't find a greater contrast of styles between 2015 and 2016 than in Syracuse. Last season, the offense ran 751 plays, which was tied for the second-fewest nationally. This year, only three teams have taken more snaps.

Babers is revamping the roster to better fit his system. In the meantime, the Orange are using a rapid tempo to overcome personnel deficiencies.

Notre Dame's thin defense won't like it.

Per research by Stephen Bailey of Syracuse.com, the Orange had a scoring opportunity on all seven drives when averaging less than 20 seconds per play against Connecticut. The five other possessions ended in a punt.

Force at Least Two Turnovers

A blowout isn't likely, but Syracuse needs a game-changing play to hang around. Taking an interception, fumble, kick or punt return to the house would provide a massive boost.

But the Orange would probably settle for two takeaways, especially if they are timely. Ending a promising Notre Dame drive or giving the offense excellent field position is no more critical than the other. Either one could result in a seven-point swing for Syracuse.

Texas and Duke struggled on defense against the Irish, but they made enough plays to give the offense a chance in the final moments. Syracuse needs to manage the same.

Notre Dame Players to Watch

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Josh Adams, Running Back

After splitting carries with Tarean Folston for two weeks, Josh Adams appears to have taken over as the feature back. The sophomore managed 60 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Duke.

During his last eight games, Adams has topped the 100-yard mark four times. And Syracuse's defense is vulnerable against the run.

Notre Dame might decide to focus on the basics, and Adams would be the primary beneficiary of a run-first attack.

Isaac Rochell, Defensive End

Syracuse's offense is built to distribute the ball quickly, but until the personnel fits, negative plays will continue to plague the unit. The Orange have allowed 26 tackles for loss and nine sacks, which rank 84th and 85th in the nation, respectively.

Granted, backfield disruption is basically the antithesis of the 2016 Notre Dame defense. Just 14 teams have fewer than the Irish's 17 tackles for loss, and only Nevada also has just one sack this season.

If any TFLs or sacks are going to happen, though, Isaac Rochell will probably be the guy. He and linebacker James Onwualu lead the unit with four stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Syracuse Players to Watch

Amba Etta-Tawo, Wide Receiver

Syracuse doesn't have many dangerous options, but few receivers in the country are more dangerous than Amba Etta-Tawo.

The Maryland grad transfer opened the season with a 12-catch, 210-yard, one-touchdown performance against Colgate. But it was only Colgate, right? Well, he recorded eight catches, 103 yards and two touchdowns opposite Louisville and shredded UConn for 12 catches, 270 yards and two touchdowns.

Per CFB Film Room, Notre Dame's top corners—Cole Luke, Nick Coleman and Julian Love—have each surrendered a 50 percent catch rate. Etta-Tawo might have another huge game.

Zaire Franklin, Linebacker

Cordell Hudson returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown to break a 17-17 tie against UConn, but Zaire Franklin set it up.

"(Zaire) did all the work," Hudson said, according to Nate Mink of Syracuse.com. "I just got the credit."

Franklin amassed a career-high 14 tackles with 2.5 for loss during the victory. The junior linebacker may need to muster a similar outing if the Irish rely on the running game. And Kizer must be careful not to overlook Franklin roaming the field in zone coverage.

What They're Saying

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Notre Dame

Following the devastating loss to Duke, Kelly said personnel changes would be coming on the depth chart—all except one position.

"Every position, all 22 of them, will be evaluated," Kelly said, per ESPN.com's Matt Fortuna. "Each and every position. There is no position that is untouchable on this football team. And that's the quarterback, all the way down to—maybe the long snapper's OK. We're not going to touch him. But everybody else is vulnerable."

Syracuse

Notre Dame's depleted secondary must contain Etta-Tawo. Despite arriving after spring practice, he's already earned the trust of the coaches and made a quick connection with quarterback Eric Dungey.

"It always goes back to chemistry with the coaches and the quarterback," Etta-Tawo said, according to Chris Carlson of Syracuse.com. "They trust me. They trust I'll make the plays and they trust me with the opportunities to make the plays. I really appreciate them on that one."

Prediction

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Notre Dame raced out to a 14-0 advantage against Duke but collapsed after allowing a kick-return touchdown. Once again, the Irish will take an early lead. This time, however, they'll keep it.

Syracuse's defense will struggle against the rushing attack of Adams and Kizer, while Dexter Williams and Folston each break off a sizable gain for Notre Dame. Etta-Tawo will tally his sixth touchdown of the year, but the Irish will hold a 20-14 edge at halftime.

Trailing by six points, the Orange's first possession of the second half will be critical. But after Notre Dame forces a punt, Kizer will lead the Irish to a two-score advantage they never relinquish.

Notre Dame will snatch a late takeaway to seal the game and improve to 2-3, dropping Babers and Syracuse to an equal record.

Prediction: Notre Dame 37, Syracuse 24

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All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.