Stony Brook vs. Syracuse: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

After two heartbreaking losses to start the 2012 season, the Syracuse Orange hope to enter the win column on Saturday as the Stony Brook Seawolves come into town for a clash of New York schools. 

Syracuse comes into this game after a better-than-expected showing against USC, led by breakout star quarterback Ryan Nassib. 

The Seawolves, meanwhile, who are entering their final season in the Big South conference, are fresh off a 77-7 drubbing of Pace and have one of the best running attacks in the Championship Subdivision. 

With a possible upset looming in a vital game for Syracuse, here's a look everything you need to know about Saturday's game. 

When: Saturday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. ET

Where: Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.

Watch: SNY

Listen: WUSB FM 90.1 (Stony Brook), Orange Radio Network (Syracuse)

Stream: Syracuse Official Website

Betting Line: To Be Determined

Stony Brook Injuries (via Oddshark)

The Seawolves have no significant injuries to report at this time.

Syracuse Injuries (via USA Today)

WR Adrian Flemming, Undisclosed, Questionable

TE Ron Thompson, Undisclosed, Questionable

OT Justin Pugh, Shoulder, Out

WR Kyle Foster, Lower Body Injury, Out for Season

DT Ryan Sloan, Lower Body Injury, Out for Season

FB Myles Davis, Lower Body Injury, Out for Season

OT Kristofer Curtis, Lower Body Injury, Out for Season

BCS/Top 25 Implications

Considering that the Orange are coming into this contest 0-2 and the Seawolves are ineligible to be ranked as an FCS school, there aren't many takeaways to be had rankings-wise.

However, after two tough losses so far this season, a win could be the catalyst for a magical run through the Big East schedule for Syracuse.

It's not likely, but crazier things have happened. 

What They're Saying

In last week's school record 77-7 defeat of Pace, the Seawolves had plenty of time to showcase future stars of the program. Most notable among those was the team's cavalcade of running talent, which accounted for 521 yards on just 57 carries.

In her recap of the game, the Stony Brook Statesman's Amy Streifer singled out back Jamie Williams. She also talked to head coach Chuck Priore about his team's success:

"

With different players seeing playtime against Pace, redshirt freshman Jamie Williams had his time to shine. Williams scored 3 touchdowns for 144 yards and gave fans at the game a glimpse into what type of rising stars are on Stony Brook’s roster.

“I think the exciting part is how excited other people were to see them have success,” head coach Chuck Priore said. “I think that shows the character of this team.”

"

Things haven't gone as swimmingly so far for Syracuse, having lost to Northwestern and USC in its opening two contests. Nevertheless, head coach Doug Marrone seems confident in his team's direction, especially after sticking with the No. 2 Trojans last Saturday.

In a Big East conference call on Monday, Marrone said the team's biggest weakness is how it starts and that should be a top priority going forward (via the San Francisco Chronicle):

"

I feel comfortable where we are. We played two excellent opponents. Northwestern is a 2-0 team having beaten an SEC team. Obviously, USC, everyone understands the type of team they are.

From the direction we're going, we feel very good. The thing we need to improve on is the early part of the game, of really settling in to what we're doing. We have to do a better job offensively early in the game and get ourselves going quicker. We haven't done that.

"

Stony Brook Player to Watch: QB Kyle Essington

While most of the offensive focus for the Seawolves will surround their running game, it's essential for quarterback Kyle Essington to take advantage of his opportunities when given.

Through two games in 2012, he's done just that. Completing 15-of-23 passes for 346 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception, he's been the perfect opportunist this season.

With the Orange undoubtedly loading up the box, it's likely that the senior signal-caller gets more chances than he's used to on Saturday. Considering that Essington has never been a particularly accurate quarterback, how he handles the increase in workload will be the difference between a closer-than-advertised game and a blowout. 

Syracuse Player to Watch: QB Ryan Nassib

If you had the senior signal-caller as your Big East breakout player of the year, feel free to pat yourself on the back. 

After two years of middling production in a relatively conservative offense, Nassib has broken free of his offensive constraints and has been fantastic so far in 2012. The Orange quarterback leads the nation through two weeks with 804 yards, and his six touchdowns tie Nassib for third.

Before this season, the 22-year-old had thrown over the 300-yard plateau just once in his two years as a starter. Nassib has already done that twice this year, including a performance against USC where he completed 30-of-46 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns.

He'll have to curb his tendency to throw interceptions (Nassib has three picks this year), but after years of anemic offensive play, the Syracuse offense is firing on all cylinders thanks to its sensational quarterback.

Key Matchup: Stony Brook Running Game vs. Syracuse Front Seven

Unalienable fact: If the Orange stop (or even slow down) the Seawolves' running attack, this game could turn into a blowout quickly. 

Essington is not the type of quarterback who can carry a team through four quarters. He's the quintessential "game manager"—a term that is over-used to indicate mediocrity but is apt in this situation. 

Fortunately for Stony Brook, the Syracuse front seven has been a mixed bag at stopping the run so far in 2012.

After a solid performance against Northwestern, giving up just 124 yards on 40 carries, the Orange regressed last week against USC. Trojan running backs Silas Redd and Curtis McNeal gained 170 yards on 26 carries, comprising much of the team's 258 total yards on the ground. 

The result of this game will almost solely rest on which Syracuse defensive front shows up on Saturday.

Prediction

In terms of production, expect somewhere in the middle for Stony Brook, as this game is far closer than advertised.

The Orange have shown an early-season penchant for playing the close game, and with a hoard of talented runners, expect the Seawolves to stick in the game early.

Regardless, it won't be for long. Syracuse is too talented and too high-powered on offense to lose this game. Expect a high-scoring affair, but one that ends with the Orange on top.

Score Prediction: Syracuse 52, Stony Brook 27