Miami Hurricanes Week 11 Preview: Syracuse Orange

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Miami, Florida – Oh man, the Miami Hurricanes did it again, beating themselves to lose their second game of the season. Luckily, the Syracuse Orange are next. Falling to 6-2 (2-2, ACC) after choking in overtime at SMU, the Cardiac Canes return to Hard Rock Stadium for week 11, their penultimate matchup of the home schedule. ‘Cuse, meanwhile, checks in at 3-6 (1-5, ACC) coming off an embarrassing 27-10 loss to lowly North Carolina. How the mighty have fallen. Let’s turn back the clock to a little over a year ago. The Orange finished the campaign 10-3 overall, including a 5-3 record in ACC play. They won their last three games of the season, topping it off with a victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the finale.

Week 11 threads 🙌

🎟️: https://t.co/KMKsLqTnDB pic.twitter.com/NayTZAddJ8

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) November 6, 2025

They went on to win the DirectTV Holiday Bowl. Fast forward to now, and Syracuse is in the midst of a five-game skid. Coach Fran Brown has definitely seen better days. Hired as the program’s 31st coach, Brown delivered big time in his first year, tying Paul Pasqualoni for the most victories by a coach in their first season at Syracuse. He has taken two steps back in 2025. The Orange are fighting to be bowl eligible. Conversely, the Canes were knocked down to No. 18 in the first CFP rankings and must win out on the remote chance they get themselves into the playoffs. Without further ado, here are the guys to watch.

Syracuse

Joseph Filardi

Joseph Filardi is 1/11… man’s out there throwing like he’s reading the coverage in Braille. 🤦‍♂️🏈

Filardi’s passing game is giving me Bobby Boucher vibes — 'Captain Insano shows no mercy'… on receivers.#ACCFootball #UNCvsSYR pic.twitter.com/1FkCwIJ9Mm

— The Sideline Report (@Mikebalotti__) November 1, 2025

This team has several significant injuries, starting at quarterback. True freshman Joseph Filardi made his collegiate debut, filling in for Steve Angeli, who is out for the season, suffering a torn Achilles tendon against Clemson. Angeli threw for 1,317 yards, 10 TDs, and two interceptions. Filardi’s day was not good, completing four of 18 passes for 39 yards, getting sacked three times. Miami should have no problem handling him.

Yasin Willis

HIGH HURDLE BY YASIN WILLIS! 🍊🤯

📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/CXVl6JPwmp

— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) September 27, 2025

Next is Yasin Willis, the lead running back for ‘Cuse. Willis has accumulated 490 yards on 116 carries, including four touchdowns. Averaging 4.2 yards per carry, Yasin has yet to cross the centennial mark, coming close twice this season. Willis was decent versus UNC, tallying 66 on 15 carries. Syracuse leaned heavily on the run game, especially since Filardi is a newly minted starter. UM is expected to smother the rush.

Johntay Cook

Johntay Cook reels in the touchdown pic.twitter.com/hSzhzwEOD0

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) August 30, 2025

Sticking with the offense, there’s wide receiver Johntay Cook, who has 39 catches for 501 yards and two trips to the endzone. Averaging 12.8 yards per catch, Cook’s best game of the year was against Clemson when he caught six passes for 113 yards. Interestingly enough, he did not score. Cook has been battling injury all season, sitting out the UNC loss. If he suits up, that’ll be a big boost for a significantly weakened Orange team.

Miami

Jojo Trader

Jojo Trader is in the building! Canes strike first!#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/VbrUVysjNj

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) November 1, 2025

With CJ Daniels sidelined due to an undisclosed injury, it’s the next man up, and that’s Jojo Trader. Joshisa dealt with an injury early on himself, but finally got the starting nod at SMU. His performance was mixed. Although Trader completed an impressive 36-yard touchdown reception from Carson Beck to grant the team the early lead, the young wideout failed to reel in a pass later on, resulting in a damaging interception that the Mustangs immediately cashed in on. Finishing the game with 85 yards, he should feast Saturday afternoon.

Keelan Marion

Keelan Marion has been a pleasant surprise so far this season and Carson Beck absolutely dotted this double move but look at my offensive line man🥺 pic.twitter.com/v0PV5JirIE

— Jesus Shuttelsworth (@PlutoCane_23) September 15, 2025

The redshirt senior saw more action against SMU, recording five catches for 77 yards. Keelan Marion has yet to score in 2025, totaling 253 yards on 23 receptions. His chance will come in the next matchup. I expect the same workload with a TD thrown in. A transfer from the BYU Cougars, Marion can shine down the stretch, providing another tool in Miami’s arsenal.

Rueben Bain Jr

The most impressive defensive prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft that I've seen so far this season?

It's not even close: Rueben Bain Jr. (22 pressures, elite run defender) pic.twitter.com/Rp8RWx3ErL

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 22, 2025

Racking up 30 tackles, 14 of them solo, Rueben Bain has 39 QB hurries and is among the top in the country. Now he faces an injury-riddled Syracuse team that’s bringing out a rookie signal-caller, meaning he’s going to be a menace. Bain should get at least a pair of sacks. Joseph Filardi meets the Bain Train!

Prediction

Once again, the Hurricanes are the heavy favorites. With revenge for last season’s loss on their minds and a desperate bid to turn things around, UM should manhandle this team. 38-3 Miami.

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