The Syracuse Orange football team (4-5) is back in action on Saturday when it takes on the North Carolina State Wolfpack in Raleigh, N.C. Kickoff is set for noon ET. 

Syracuse is coming off a disappointing 18-13 loss against Clemson last week. SU needs to win two of its final three games to get bowl eligible for the second time in three years.

Here's what you need to know:

On Thursday, NC State announced that former quarterback Phillip Rivers will become the program's new head football coach. After completing one of the most successful individual careers in school history, Rivers moved onto the NFL, where he played more than a decade for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts. Rivers's on field success will likely earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Rivers has been coaching high school football in Alabama and also previously interviewed with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching job before the 2026 season.

While Rivers will not coach Saturday, the Wolfpack are already turning attention towards the future. Will players be more motivated to play against SU knowing that Rivers is now scouting and evaluating? Will players just play out the string and then look for the next move in their careers after the season? It remains to be seen.

Syracuse will start Steve Angeli again at quarterback this week. The signal-caller was not listed on this week's injury report. The Wolfpack had 20 players listed on its side of the injury report on Wednesday. With that many injuries, NC State's lack of depth could play a factor in Saturday's game.

Syracuse will be without running back Shavane Anderson Jr., who has fallen down the depth chart, but has also provided some nice moments this season. He was the ACC Freshman of the Week in Week 1.

Syracuse has defeated NC State in each of the last two matchups.

The Orange won 24-17 in 2024, which propelled Syracuse to a Holiday Bowl berth and an eventual double-digit win season.

In 2022, Syracuse won 24-9 inside the JMA Wireless Dome. In similar fashion to '24, the Orange's victory over the Wolfpack helped secure a winning season and bowl bid. Syracuse finished the regular season 7-5 before losing in the Pinstripe Bowl to Minnesota.

The Wolfpack own the series advantage 13-4, with the series dating back to 1972. 

In the preseason, NC State was considered a potential contender to win the ACC. In the past 10 seasons, the Wolfpack had won at least eight games in seven different seasons.

But this year, it's been more of a struggle. The Wolfpack are 4-5 and hold a 1-4 record in conference play. 

In their most recent game, the Wolfpack were destroyed by Duke, 41-3. In similar fashion to the Orange, the Wolfpack are hoping to win two of its last three games to become bowl eligible. 

After the Orange take on the Wolfpack. they will play Boston College the following Saturday at noon.

Syracuse will close out the season with a home game against Notre Dame. That game is Nov. 28 but there is no game time yet.