No. 14 Syracuse (2-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast) will compete in this year’s rendition of its historic rivalry against No. 18 Johns Hopkins (2-2) Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. The Orange are coming off an overtime loss to then-No. 13 Virginia last week, after a late collapse and the heroics of Cavaliers attack Michael Kraus sunk SU.

Here’s what the beat writers expect for the outcome of Saturday’s game.

Andrew Graham (2-2)
Many birds, many stones
Syracuse 14, Johns Hopkins 9

Syracuse could win this game by 10, or lose by 10, and I don’t think I would be surprised either way. The numbers seem to indicate the Orange should win — they protect the ball, defend well and score at an OK clip. Johns Hopkins has one of the nation’s worst scoring defenses. But the Blue Jays seem to have turned a corner of late. Following two blowouts at the hands of top-5 teams in the country, JHU has won two-straight, downing North Carolina and Princeton. Freshman Joey Epstein has paced the Blue Jays with 15 points. But that defense is too porous, and SU’s is too good. Ultimately, the Orange get it done, exploiting the obvious weakness.

Michael McCleary (2-2)
Shoo!
Syracuse 14, Johns Hopkins 10

There’s a lot of things I’m still unsure about with Syracuse at this point of the season. One thing I’m certain about is their defense is good, and Drake Porter’s play has only made it better. Last week’s performance against Virginia, a defensive breakdown in the game’s final quarter, doesn’t look like it will happen again — not to Johns Hopkins, that is. The defense will remain stout and the Orange’s offense will do enough, which is a formula for a win against the Blue Jays who were crushed by top-5 teams in their first two games and only recently started to gain momentum.

Nick Alvarez (1-3)
Varsity blues
Syracuse 13, Johns Hopkins 11

Syracuse has been a hard team to predict this season, just look at our records. But after its first, historic-opening loss to Colgate, SU responded with its best performance of the season in a 13-5 win over Albany. Expect the Orange to rebound again. JHU has answered after a 0-2 start, yet SU’s ever-improving offense should be able to score in the zone. Stephen Rehfuss looked better last weekend, and his health should only improve against the Blue Jays. Nate Solomon is on a historic scoring streak. And let’s not forget Drake Porter’s spectacular play. In a battle of historic teams, SU pulls away late.