After a week off for the boys in orange, Syracuse returns to the gridiron on Thursday night.

Dino Babers and company are in Raleigh, N.C., to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack, who the Orange defeated last year at the Carrier Dome. While there are vast differences between 2018 and 2019, one thing is the same: Both matchups against the Wolfpack are great measuring sticks, as well as season-altering games for the Orange.

But before the game kicks off, here’s three things you need to know going into the game.

Tommy DeVito’s Health

In the Orange's last contest against Holy Cross, DeVito apparently suffered an injury in the fourth quarter while the Orange were leading 41-3. While there has been plenty of questions surrounding why DeVito was in such a lopsided game, Babers has stuck to his guns, saying “He’s our starting quarterback.”

With the bye week following that game, DeVito has had time to heal his upper-body injury. On Sunday, DeVito said he was “good to go” for the primetime matchup.

Will the injury affect his play? Or could we see one of the backups get some time?

Bailey Hockman Making First Start

Speaking of backup quarterbacks, N.C. State Head Coach Dave Doeren made a change of his own. Quarterback Bailey Hockman will be making his first start for the Wolfpack. Doeren moved Matthew McKay to third string while promoting highly touted redshirt freshman Devin Leary to the second-string duties.

Hockman is a transfer from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, who sat out the 2018 season due to NCAA transfer rules. So far this season, Hockman is 28-50 for 255 yards and one touchdown.

Will Road Woes Continue?

The Orange are leaving Central New York for the first time since early September. The last time Syracuse went on the road, they were defeated by Maryland 63-20 in a deflating game which many say cost them a shot at College GameDay the following week against Clemson.

With a 21-21 career record at the helm, Babers has lost 10 true road games. While struggling away from your own stadium is difficult for many college teams, wins on the road are crucial. They can make the difference in earning your way into a major bowl or missing a bowl game completely.

Which side of the coin will the Orange fall on?