Don’t look now, but the Orange are unbeaten. They have ridden an unbending defense that is ranked in the top 10 nationally and has permitted more than 20 points just once. Coming off a bye can only help. Standout Wolfpack QB Devin Leary likely will be idled, leaving the duties to Jack Chambers, a grad transfer who came on in relief of Leary last Saturday. Though he’s a dual threat, the drop-off to Chambers from Leary is substantial.

Expectations were probably a bit too high for an N.C. State club that was a popular pick to unseat Clemson in the ACC. Even so, the Wolfpack gave a respectable effort against the Tigers two weeks ago and last week rallied to get past Florida State. Syracuse is much improved, but needed some last-minute heroics to get past Virginia and Purdue, otherwise it could be sitting at 3-2. The better team is getting points Saturday, so let's take them.