According to the odds-makers, Syracuse will finally get back in the win column this weekend when Western Michigan comes to town. Whether it’s by one or by 51, any win would feel good for Dino Babers and company right now after being on the wrong end of back-to-back blowouts. 

But with an offense that’s scored 50 points in its first three games and a defense that’s giving up an average of more than 51 in its last two outings, how is a win even possible?

Because Dino Babers is 14-4 against teams from the MAC

Babers won a conference championship while the head coach at Bowling Green and beating both Central and Western Michigan the last two seasons at SU. Babers knows the conference and knows it well. Now that he’s coaching higher-caliber athletes than he had at BGSU, his chances of continuing his successful track record are even better.

Because Babers hasn’t forgotten and won’t let his players forget what happened after halftime out in Kalamazoo last season

Syracuse rolled to a 34-7 lead in the first two quarters and was headed for a laugher. Then Dino inserted Tommy DeVito and the Broncos promptly caught fire, scoring 28 points in the third quarter to close to within six points. Eric Dungey returned to bail out the Orange piling up 384 total yards in SU’s 55-42 win. But neither Dino nor DeVito is likely to look past WMU this week.

Because Western Michigan hasn’t beaten a Power 5 conference team since P.J. Fleck was still rowing the boat

Under former SU assistant Tim Lester, the Broncos are 0-5 vs major conference opponents including a 51-17 loss to in-state rival Michigan State two weeks ago. In fact, WMU’s 13-point loss to Syracuse last season is the closest that program has come to beating one of the big boys the last three seasons, and I fully expect that trend to continue.

Because Lester isn’t Scott Shafer 

Unlike the fiery former SU coach who came back to the Dome just two seasons after he was fired and got his revenge with Middle Tennessee, Lester is returning four seasons after he was let go and is barely remembered by the few players who are still here. So don’t look for any emotional reunions before or after the game, or for any victory cigars if Lester is fortunate enough to pull off the upset.

Because Babers’ boys are due for a breakout game

After playing the number one team in the country tough for the first three quarters last weekend, the Orange finally let the Tigers get away. But facing Clemson will make Syracuse a better team in the long run, and things will have to seem much easier this week against a team with wins over Monmouth and Georgia State. SU is favored by four points, but considering its potential and WMU’s track record against the best of the best, I’m expecting a two-touchdown win this week.

That’ll feel really good for the Orange Empire.