2010 CFBZ Prediction: 8th Place in Big East
2010 Actual Finish: Tied for 4th Place in Big East (8-5, 4-3)
The Syracuse Orange were one of the best stories of 2010. Pretty much everybody who covers college football in any format, or for that matter watches college football, picked the Orange to finish dead last in the Big East this past season. A funny thing happened along the way, the Big East was down and Syracuse was a lot more competitive than expected under second year coach Doug Marrone. Syracuse started off their season 4-1 as they beat 3 of the easiest teams to beat in college football but we aren't judging them (when you haven't been very good lately you should schedule down and that's what they did) and they did also schedule Boston College and Washington so it wasn't all cupcakes on the non-conference slate. October 9th was the first statement of the season when Syracuse went to South Florida and won 13-9. Syracuse then fell to Pitt but quickly bounced back with a shocking win over Big East favorite West Virginia and then a win over Cincinnati. West Virginia fans look back to that loss as the reason they didn't win the conference and go to a BCS game instead of UConn. Syracuse came back to earth a little at the end of the season going 1-3 including losses to Big East Champ UConn but they bounced back with a controversial bowl game win over Kansas State to finish 8-5. This season marked Syracuse's first winning season since 2001, when they went 10-3, and their first bowl game since 2004 where they lost to Georgia Tech. It has been a long road back to relevance for the Orange and it will be very interesting to see if Doug Marrone and his staff can maintain this level of success in the years to come. Picked to come in dead last in the Big East the Orange actually finished only 1 game behind UConn, Pitt and West Virginia in the final standings. To help us re-cap the 2010 season for the Orange we caught up with Brian Harrison of the Syracuse based blog Orange 44 for a little Q&A.
1. Syracuse exceeded everybody's expectations this year by finishing 8-5 and winning a bowl game. At what point did you know this was going to be a break-through season for the Orange?
The defining moment has to be when Syracuse went down to Morgantown and beat the then #20 West Virginia Mountaineers. Syracuse had not beaten WVU since 2001 and doing it at Morgantown was a huge plus and a major turning point for Syracuse. With a lot of fans still not on board after a big homecoming loss to Pittsburgh the week before a lot of fans truly didn’t believe in this year’s squad until they had that huge road win and proved that this wasn’t a squad that just got lucky. This was a hard nosed defense that could stop some of the best offenses in the country.
2. What were some of your favorite moments of this season?
During Syracuse’s match with USF Syracuse put together a 98 yard drive. It was pretty magical to watch as Syracuse methodically moved the ball down the field. This was one of the first moments of the season that was a true test against a good team that showed massive improvement in the offensive ability for Syracuse. Also the ending moments of both the games Syracuse played against West Virginia and Rutgers. In both Syracuse was forced to stop the opposing team’s offense to win the game and both times Syracuse ended up with sacks on the quarterbacks on fourth down to win the game.
3. Which players were the biggest surprises of the season?
Tight ends Nick Provo and Jose Cruz were surprisingly reliable targets throughout the season and were very valuable on third downs. But the biggest surprise was the dependability of freshman K Ross Krautman. He was 18/19 on the season, his longest was 48 yards (made outdoors), and was one of the most dependable elements of a special teams unit that ended up firing their coordinator before the end of the season.
4. Which player are you most excited about for next season?
Antwon Bailey was the backup RB for Delone Carter and he found success in both running the ball, but was as equally dependable a receiver. He will get a lot more reps next season as he should be the primary back on the depth chart coming out of the spring. I look forward to seeing what he can do next year. Additionally, Marcus sales had one touchdown catch all season, but had three TDs in the Pinstripe Bowl, including massive home run catches. He will be a major target next season.
In terms of freshmen coming in, besides the potential commitment of DE Ishaq Williams (deciding between Syracuse, Penn State, and Notre Dame [both his parents attended Syracuse]), it would be TE Louie Addazio. He is the son of now Temple Head Coach Steve Addazio, former Florida Offensive Coordinator and Syracuse alumnus. He is a blocking TE, who will obviously get looks from Ryan Nassib to catch the ball, especially in the Red Zone. But really, he will instantly firm up an already vastly improved offensive line.
5. What does Syracuse need to improve on this off-season to keep its positive momentum and possible challenge for the Big East Title?
Syracuse still desperately needs to improve its passing defense. For the last five plus years the way you beat Syracuse was to pass the ball as Syracuse could rarely stop any passing attack. They got better this past year, but they need to improve even more so they can cover receivers tighter and not play such soft zone coverage. Additionally the receivers will need to improve. Several would have a good game here or there, but there were too many games with big drops that would have been huge plays and they would have changed the outcome of the game. Everything else should still remain pretty solid and only get better.
Showing posts with label Syracuse Orange. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Syracuse Orange. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Bowl Predictions Part 2 (12/27-12/30)
If you missed the first round of bowl predictions just click here to catch up on what you missed. As of the printing of this blog we have had 5 bowl games and so far Ross is 4-1 in his predictions (only missing on NIU/Fresno) and I'm 3-2.
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl (12/27 5pm on ESPN 2)
Air Force (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (6-6)
Kevin's Prediction: AIR FORCE 31 GEORGIA TECH 27
This is a very interesting game as both of these teams present problems for their opponents defense on a weekly basis. Georgia Tech is the #1 rushing attach in the Nation at 327 yards per game and Air Force is #2 at 317. Air Force has a better resume than Georgia Tech does. Air Force beat BYU (35-14), Navy (14-6) and Army (42-22) while Georgia Tech only had one win against a team that finished with a winning record (beat UNC 30-24 and no Georgia Tech fans I'm not counting South Carolina State). From the latest I have read, Joshua Nesbitt will not play in this game. I think that will be the difference but I honestly would not be surprised if either team won this game. This is one to watch as it should be the shortest game of the bowl season due to both teams mashing the ball between the tackles.
Ross's Prediction: AIR FORCE 35, GEORGIA TECH 24
Champs Sports Bowl (12/28 6:30 pm on ESPN)
West Virginia (9-3) vs. North Carolina State (8-4)
Kevin's Prediction: NC STATE 27 WEST VIRGINIA 24
NC State was one of the most surprising teams this year. West Virginia finished 9-3 and didn't lose a game by more than 6 points all year but their season just felt somewhat underwhelming. The big match-up for me in this game is the West Virginia defense (which only gave up 12.8 ppg this year) versus Russell Wilson and NC State's passing attack (which ranked 19th in the Nation this year). My gut says West Virginia but my heart says NC State).
Ross's Prediction: WEST VIRGINIA 28, NC STATE 24
Insight Bowl (12/28 10 pm on ESPN)
Missouri (10-2) vs. Iowa (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: MISSOURI 27 IOWA 17
The biggest thing that sticks in my mind is how Iowa finished the season. They lost 3 straight games, one to Ohio State, but the other two to Northwestern (a decent team) and Minnesota (an awful team). Iowa is also looking at some key suspensions for the bowl game. I'm not in love with Missouri but I like them in this one.
Ross's Prediction: IOWA 24, MISSOURI 17
Military Bowl (12/29 2:30 pm on ESPN)
East Carolina (6-6) vs. Maryland (8-40
Kevin's Prediction: MARYLAND 38 EAST CAROLINA 27
Was there a more up and down team than East Carolina this year? They beat NC State and Southern Miss but got bombed by the likes of Rice and gave up 76 points to Navy. That is not a team I can pick to win a bowl game. East Carolina gave up a whooping 43.4 points per game this year. There is turmoil in Maryland but I think they win this one for the Fridge.
Ross's Prediction: MARYLAND 37, EAST CAROLINA 24
This is another game where an unsettled coaching situation could produce thoroughly unpredictable results, but I think Maryland sends Friedgen out with a win -- especially since ECU's defense is purely theoretical.
Texas Bowl (12/29 6pm on ESPN)
Illinois (6-6) vs. Baylor (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: BAYLOR 34 ILLINOIS 24
I refuse to live in a world where I pick a 6-6 Ron Zook coached team to win a bowl game. Baylor was really good offensively this year and Illinois was known to give up some points this year (see also: back-to-back weeks giving up 67 to Michigan and 38 to Minnesota).
Ross's Prediction: BAYLOR 38, ILLINOIS 31
Valero Alamo (12/29 9:15pm on ESPN)
Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: OKLAHOMA STATE 38 ARIZONA 28
This is a game that looks fun on paper. Okie State's explosive offense (2nd Nationally in Passing, 29th in Rushing, and 3rd in Scoring) against a pretty good Arizona defense. This would have been a much better match-up if it would have happened early in the year when Arizona was 7-1. Arizona played a tough schedule at the end of the year and fell to Stanford, USC and Oregon. But then they also lost to rival Arizona State. I just can't see them coming back to beat an Okie State team with all those weapons on offense.
Ross's Prediction: OKLAHOMA STATE 34, ARIZONA 24
Armed Forces Bowl (12/30 Noon on ESPN)
Army (6-6) vs. SMU (7-6)
Kevin's Prediction: SMU 28 ARMY 21
The most impressive victory Army had all year was a 45-28 win over 5-7 Kent State. I kid you not. As much as a want to pick Army because this is the "Armed Forces Bowl" I simply can't justify it based on their body of work. SMU isn't exactly a Top 25 team but they did beat East Carolina and Tulsa.
Ross's Prediction: SMU 38, ARMY 24
New Era Pinstripe Bowl (12/30 3:20pm on ESPN)
Kansas State (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: SYRACUSE 24 KANSAS STATE 21
Not a real high-profile match-up based on name appeal but I like what Syracuse did this year. They turned around a pitiful program into a team that knocked off a Top 25 opponent (19-14 win over West Virginia). Syracuse had a bunch of cupcakes on their schedule (Akron, Maine and Colgate) and took advantage of some down Big East opponents (Cincy and Rutgers) but I really like their improvement. Kansas State actually played a couple of adequate non-conference foes this year (UCLA and UCF) but folded like a tent once they got into the meat of the Big 12 schedule (losses to Nebraska, Baylor, Okie State, Missouri and Colorado). This one looks like a coin toss to me but I think Syracuse is going to be more up for this game than Kansas State.
Ross's Prediction: SYRACUSE 21, KANSAS STATE 17
Music City Bowl (12/30 6:40pm on ESPN)
North Carolina (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6)
Kevin's Prediction: NORTH CAROLINA 27 TENNESSEE 24
If you asked me about this one half-way through the year I would have picked UNC by about 30. I think Tennessee started to find itself at the end of the season when they inserted Tyler Bray into the starting line-up but it could also have been the closing stretch of Memphis, Ole Miss, Vandy and Kentucky that did the trick (these teams had a combined record of 13-34). So before we anoint Tennessee as "back" under Derek Dooley lets see them actually beat somebody.
Ross's Prediction: NORTH CAROLINA 31, TENNESSEE 27
Holiday Bowl (12/30 10pm on ESPN)
Nebraska (10-3) vs. Washington (6-6)
Kevin's Prediction: NEBRASKA 34 WASHINGTON 14
This one looks like a total no-brainer. Assuming Nebraska's offense shows up they shouldn't have much of a problem in this one.
Ross's Prediction: NEBRASKA 38, WASHINGTON 17
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl (12/27 5pm on ESPN 2)
Air Force (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (6-6)
Kevin's Prediction: AIR FORCE 31 GEORGIA TECH 27
This is a very interesting game as both of these teams present problems for their opponents defense on a weekly basis. Georgia Tech is the #1 rushing attach in the Nation at 327 yards per game and Air Force is #2 at 317. Air Force has a better resume than Georgia Tech does. Air Force beat BYU (35-14), Navy (14-6) and Army (42-22) while Georgia Tech only had one win against a team that finished with a winning record (beat UNC 30-24 and no Georgia Tech fans I'm not counting South Carolina State). From the latest I have read, Joshua Nesbitt will not play in this game. I think that will be the difference but I honestly would not be surprised if either team won this game. This is one to watch as it should be the shortest game of the bowl season due to both teams mashing the ball between the tackles.
Ross's Prediction: AIR FORCE 35, GEORGIA TECH 24
Who better to defend Georgia Tech's vaunted triple-option offense than a team that (a) runs a similar offense themselves, (b) plays multiple teams that run that offense, and (c) is full of smart, disciplined athletes. Tech's main hope is having vastly superior athletes, but I'm not sure that will be enough.
Champs Sports Bowl (12/28 6:30 pm on ESPN)
West Virginia (9-3) vs. North Carolina State (8-4)
Kevin's Prediction: NC STATE 27 WEST VIRGINIA 24
NC State was one of the most surprising teams this year. West Virginia finished 9-3 and didn't lose a game by more than 6 points all year but their season just felt somewhat underwhelming. The big match-up for me in this game is the West Virginia defense (which only gave up 12.8 ppg this year) versus Russell Wilson and NC State's passing attack (which ranked 19th in the Nation this year). My gut says West Virginia but my heart says NC State).
Ross's Prediction: WEST VIRGINIA 28, NC STATE 24
West Virginia probably was the best team in the Big East this year -- but they stumbled against UConn and (more absurdly) Syracuse and that kept them from making yet another BCS bowl this year. But it should still be enough to get by a good-but-not-great NC State team, unless the behind-the-scenes turmoil with the coaching staff is too much for the team to handle. But their defense should be good enough to slow down Russell Wilson and the NC State offense.
Insight Bowl (12/28 10 pm on ESPN)
Missouri (10-2) vs. Iowa (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: MISSOURI 27 IOWA 17
The biggest thing that sticks in my mind is how Iowa finished the season. They lost 3 straight games, one to Ohio State, but the other two to Northwestern (a decent team) and Minnesota (an awful team). Iowa is also looking at some key suspensions for the bowl game. I'm not in love with Missouri but I like them in this one.
Ross's Prediction: IOWA 24, MISSOURI 17
Against my better judgment, I'm picking Iowa in this one. Lord knows, there's plenty of reasons to pick against them -- they ended the year on a three-game losing skid that included a thoroughly pathetic loss to a bad Minnesota team and then lost their best receiver (Derrell Johnson-Koulianos) and best running back (Adam Robinson) for the game in off-field turmoil -- but I think they come out with something to prove and actually win a close game.
Military Bowl (12/29 2:30 pm on ESPN)
East Carolina (6-6) vs. Maryland (8-40
Kevin's Prediction: MARYLAND 38 EAST CAROLINA 27
Was there a more up and down team than East Carolina this year? They beat NC State and Southern Miss but got bombed by the likes of Rice and gave up 76 points to Navy. That is not a team I can pick to win a bowl game. East Carolina gave up a whooping 43.4 points per game this year. There is turmoil in Maryland but I think they win this one for the Fridge.
Ross's Prediction: MARYLAND 37, EAST CAROLINA 24
This is another game where an unsettled coaching situation could produce thoroughly unpredictable results, but I think Maryland sends Friedgen out with a win -- especially since ECU's defense is purely theoretical.
Texas Bowl (12/29 6pm on ESPN)
Illinois (6-6) vs. Baylor (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: BAYLOR 34 ILLINOIS 24
I refuse to live in a world where I pick a 6-6 Ron Zook coached team to win a bowl game. Baylor was really good offensively this year and Illinois was known to give up some points this year (see also: back-to-back weeks giving up 67 to Michigan and 38 to Minnesota).
Ross's Prediction: BAYLOR 38, ILLINOIS 31
There's definite potential for Baylor to fall victim to "just happy to be there" disease for making their first bowl game in years... but the same could be said for Illinois to an extent, since most of their players haven't played in a bowl game, either. When in doubt, it's sometimes useful to go with the best player on the field -- and in this case that's undoubtedly Baylor's do-everything QB, Robert Griffin III. I think he'll have a big game and carry Baylor to a close win.
Valero Alamo (12/29 9:15pm on ESPN)
Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: OKLAHOMA STATE 38 ARIZONA 28
This is a game that looks fun on paper. Okie State's explosive offense (2nd Nationally in Passing, 29th in Rushing, and 3rd in Scoring) against a pretty good Arizona defense. This would have been a much better match-up if it would have happened early in the year when Arizona was 7-1. Arizona played a tough schedule at the end of the year and fell to Stanford, USC and Oregon. But then they also lost to rival Arizona State. I just can't see them coming back to beat an Okie State team with all those weapons on offense.
Ross's Prediction: OKLAHOMA STATE 34, ARIZONA 24
Both teams lost heart-breakers to their hated in-state rivals in their season finales, so both will be trying to rebound here. But Arizona fell apart down the stretch and Oklahoma State seems to have superior personnel on offense. Arizona also laid the ugliest of eggs last year in the Holiday Bowl, so I don't really have a lot of faith in Mike Stoops' bowl prep ability right now.
Armed Forces Bowl (12/30 Noon on ESPN)
Army (6-6) vs. SMU (7-6)
Kevin's Prediction: SMU 28 ARMY 21
The most impressive victory Army had all year was a 45-28 win over 5-7 Kent State. I kid you not. As much as a want to pick Army because this is the "Armed Forces Bowl" I simply can't justify it based on their body of work. SMU isn't exactly a Top 25 team but they did beat East Carolina and Tulsa.
Ross's Prediction: SMU 38, ARMY 24
It's great that Army made it to a bowl game, but they're not really very good. SMU isn't great, either, but they've looked pretty solid at times and held their own against some quality foes (like TCU). I think June Jones will have the SMU offense ready to shred Army's defense, too.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl (12/30 3:20pm on ESPN)
Kansas State (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5)
Kevin's Prediction: SYRACUSE 24 KANSAS STATE 21
Not a real high-profile match-up based on name appeal but I like what Syracuse did this year. They turned around a pitiful program into a team that knocked off a Top 25 opponent (19-14 win over West Virginia). Syracuse had a bunch of cupcakes on their schedule (Akron, Maine and Colgate) and took advantage of some down Big East opponents (Cincy and Rutgers) but I really like their improvement. Kansas State actually played a couple of adequate non-conference foes this year (UCLA and UCF) but folded like a tent once they got into the meat of the Big 12 schedule (losses to Nebraska, Baylor, Okie State, Missouri and Colorado). This one looks like a coin toss to me but I think Syracuse is going to be more up for this game than Kansas State.
Ross's Prediction: SYRACUSE 21, KANSAS STATE 17
On one hand, you could go with the best player on the field -- and that should be Kansas State's Daniel Thomas. On the other hand, you could go with the team more excited to be there -- which is probably Syracuse, given their long years in the wilderness over the past decade. Flip of the coin says Syracuse in a close one.
Music City Bowl (12/30 6:40pm on ESPN)
North Carolina (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6)
Kevin's Prediction: NORTH CAROLINA 27 TENNESSEE 24
If you asked me about this one half-way through the year I would have picked UNC by about 30. I think Tennessee started to find itself at the end of the season when they inserted Tyler Bray into the starting line-up but it could also have been the closing stretch of Memphis, Ole Miss, Vandy and Kentucky that did the trick (these teams had a combined record of 13-34). So before we anoint Tennessee as "back" under Derek Dooley lets see them actually beat somebody.
Ross's Prediction: NORTH CAROLINA 31, TENNESSEE 27
Tennessee came on strong at the end of the year, although they mostly did it against so-so competition. North Carolina was good this year, but not good enough to get by the best teams they played (LSU, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Miami, NC State) -- although they did eke one out against Florida State. These teams are pretty evenly matched, but I like UNC to win and end their disappointing season on a minor high note.
Holiday Bowl (12/30 10pm on ESPN)
Nebraska (10-3) vs. Washington (6-6)
Kevin's Prediction: NEBRASKA 34 WASHINGTON 14
This one looks like a total no-brainer. Assuming Nebraska's offense shows up they shouldn't have much of a problem in this one.
Ross's Prediction: NEBRASKA 38, WASHINGTON 17
The rematch no one asked for. Nebraska pulverized Washington when they met earlier this season, and while I don't think the rematch will be quite as lopsided, there's still no reason to pick against Nebraska here. They're much better, especially on defense.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Pre-Season Preview: Syracuse Orange
2009 Record: 4-8 (1-6 in Big East)
2009 Bowl: None
Final 2009 AP Ranking: Not Ranked
Head Coach: Doug Marrone (4-8 at Syracuse)
Non-Conference Schedule: at Akron (9/4), at Washington (9/11), Maine (9/18), Colgate (9/25), Boston College (11/27)
2009 Offensive Statistics
Scoring: 21.2 points per game (7th in Big East)
Rushing Yards/Game: 126 (7th in Big East)
Passing Yards/Game: 203 (5th in Big East)
Total Yards/Game: 330 (7th in Big East)
2009 Defensive Statistics
Scoring: 27.9 points per game (last in Big East)
Rushing Yards/Game: 101 (1st in Big East, 13th in Nation)
Passing Yards/Game: 235 (7th in Big East)
Total Yards/Game: 337 (5th in Big East)
2009 Misc Stats
Turnover Margin: -0.50 per game (last in Big East, 97th in Nation)
Penalties: 51 yards per game (6th in Big East)
Returning Starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 10
Kicker/Punter: 2
Top Returning Statistical Leaders
Passing: QB Ryan Nassib, Jr (36 of 68 for 422 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT)
Rushing: RB Delone Carter, Sr (236 carries for 1021 yds, 11 TD, 4.3 ypc, 85 ypg)*
Receiving: WR Alec Lemon, Soph (29 rec, 295 yds, 1 TD, 2.6 rec/game)
Receiving: WR Marcus Sales, Jr (28 rec, 324 yds, 3 TD, 2.3 rec/game)
Tackles: FS Mike Holmes, Sr (77)
Sacks: LB Doug Hogue, Sr (9.5)
Interceptions: FS Mike Holmes, Sr (3)
*Carter is currently suspended
2010 Pre-Season Rankings
Athlon Sports: #74
Pre-Snap Read: #80
Sporting News: #99
2010 Pre-Season Big East Prediction:
Athlon Sports: #7
Phil Steele: #7
In Doug Marrone's first year Syracuse went 4-8 and included good wins over Northwestern and Rutgers. Syracuse should be (at worst) 3-1 going into the Big East schedule so it will be interesting to see how they navigate the competitive Big East this year. We caught up with Brian Harrison of the Syracuse based blog Orange 44 to find out his thoughts on the 2010 Syracuse Orange.
Introduction from Brian:
Syracuse Football is not a joke anymore. Under the helm of Greg Robinson it was. His incompetence at running a program was evident from season 1. His failure to recruit left the cupboard bare for the program, fans, and respect. How quickly we forget that Syracuse has a National Championship (1959), a Heisman Trophy Winner (Ernie Davis, 1961), and was the school of Donovan McNabb, Jim Brown, Marvin Harrison, Dwight Freeney, and Floyd Little just to name a few. Second year Head Coach Doug Marrone (affectionately known to the fans of SU as HCDM) has personally made it his mission to restore glory to the once proud northeast football powerhouse. It’s personal because Marrone is a Syracuse graduate himself, and he considers his current position his dream job. It’s the perfect storm for Syracuse fans waiting for the program to become relevant again. And with only one year and limited time to recruit, the eyeball test is already producing favorable results for Marrone. On top of that the current staff is recruiting like gangbusters again. Impressive transfers are coming to Syracuse believing in the mission of Marrone as well. Yes, joke if you like, but Syracuse is a program on the rise again, and anyone that truly watches college football regularly will no doubt agree.
What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of Syracuse?
The biggest strength of the offense will clearly be the running game. Syracuse has always been known for running backs and this year is no exception. Redshirt senior Delone Carter has had some off-field trouble as he was accused of hitting an individual after his car was hit with a snowball and was charged with a misdemeanor. He was suspended by the university but will apply for reinstatement after the summer and should join the team once he is let back into school. Carter ran for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and should be just as productive this season if able to take the field. He would be the first option to run the ball, but even if he does not play for part of the season there is other talent on the team to run the ball. Junior Antwon Bailey was a running threat (312 yards), but was also talented in catching the ball out of the backfield (27 catches, 200 yards). Junior Averin Collier had a breakout performance against Rutgers in the Carrier Dome, who had a 60 yard touchdown run, and looks to have an expanded roll this season.
For the defense, both the defensive line and linebackers are going to provide stingy defense again this coming season. Despite losing Art Jones to the NFL Draft, Syracuse still returns a lot of talent that managed to stop the run and apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich look to build on the successes of 2009 on the defensive line. On top of that, at linebacker Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue return. Smith led the team in tackles last season, and Doug Hogue became a sack master late in the season and led the team in tackles for loss.
The major weakness of the team is just a shortness of scholarship players. With just over 50 on scholarship at the Spring Game Syracuse will have problems fielding a competitive team if several injuries occur during the season. Syracuse faced this problem last season, and if the same number of injuries occur it will be hard for the Orange to earn more wins than the previous year. While good recruits are coming in, losing starters is never good, and that would be especially true for Syracuse.
Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test?
The first major test will be the second game on Syracuse’s schedule. The Orange will head west to take on Washington and the skilled quarterback Jake Locker. Washington demolished Syracuse to open the 2007 season and crushed hopes for the entire season after one game. This will be a good early litmus test to see if the defense is as good as people think it will be, and if the starting quarterback truly deserved getting the nod.
What team on the schedule do you fear the most?
I suppose the traditional and practical pick would be West Virginia. Syracuse has to travel to Morgantown this season, never an easy place to play. On top of that, senior running back Noel Devine, an orange killer if there ever was one, will be back and in top form against Syracuse. SU had an absolutely stingy run defense last season and Devine managed to still run all over the Orange. In this rivalry game, Syracuse would be ecstatic to win, but realizing we are still rebuilding Syracuse just wants to put up a strong showing and hang in as long as they can.
Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?
Senior safety Max Suter is a fan favorite in the Salt City. He picked off an interception during the Northwestern game in the Carrier Dome last season as the game was tied with minutes remaining, which set up the game winning field goal for Syracuse. Additionally he had been a bright spot on special teams as a return man. He is a hard worker and will give 100% even if the team is trailing by a few touchdowns late in the game. Fans appreciate that kind of dedication.
Who is the best offensive player on the team?
If he returns to the team it will be running back Delone Carter. He was a workhorse last season, and has the ability to break long runs or be a good enough decoy to allow receivers to get open. Needless to say, Carter has a great ability to find gaps and break some tackles. He is also a very powerful runner and is impressive to watch. While he may not start the season’s first few games, when he is in the lineup he is always a danger of moving the chains or going up and over the defense for a touchdown.
Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?
Linebacker Doug Hogue should make the most impact. While he had a decent season overall he really made his mark against Rutgers in the Carrier Dome in a huge grudge match game. It’s no secret that Syracuse wants to dominate Rutgers again, not only on the field but in the recruiting game as well. The team took this mission personally and on senior day Doug Hogue simply dominated Rutgers and their quarterback Tom Savage. He sacked the hell out of Savage, getting to him 9.5 times. Hogue has speed as a converted running back and will look to get to even more quarterbacks this season.
What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?
Quarterback Ryan Nassib needs to step up and take charge of his team, and become a playmaker. Similarly, the receivers will have to really step up. Save for Mike Williams who was the best receiver in the league until he quit in the middle of last season, the receivers for Syracuse have been inconsistent. Alec Lemon, Van Chew, and Marcus Sales will look to be targets for Nassib and by all accounts they possess the talent to do so. Look for all of them to have some highlights over the year.
Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?
That should be senior transfer wide receiver Aaron Weaver. Weaver arrives from Hofstra, who ended their football program at the end of last season. He led the Pride with 63 catches for 797 yards and will add instant depth and provide a nice target for Ryan Nassib. As few wide receivers have distinguished themselves as a reliably consistent target for Syracuse, Weaver could make an instant impact and be a nice surprise for the Orange.
Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?
Safety Orlando Fisher transferred in from Nassau Community College and has been enrolled at Syracuse since January so he could get an early jump and go through the spring practice schedule. He should see time at strong safety, but also could see time as a linebacker. Fisher could also provide a spark on special teams coverage, an area that was a weakness for the Orange last season.
Gut feeling on the team’s final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?
My way too early feeling is that Syracuse will go 5-7 or 6-6. Either way, because Syracuse has two 1-AA teams on the schedule they will need seven wins to make a bowl game. But honestly, anything more than four wins, and more than one win in the Big East will be considered marked improvement and should be considered a successful season. Syracuse is a season or two away from a bowl game, and that’s alright. The team is entertaining to watch again, they can compete with teams that would have beat them a few years ago, and Syracuse is recruiting well again. Right now, Marrone is doing everything possible to make fans believe and feel better about Syracuse again. You can’t ask for much more than that. I do believe that a bowl game is in the near future for Syracuse, but I think it is just out of reach for this season. Either way, we will be better than the year before.
Check out Brian's Syracuse blog Orange 44. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @BH_Orange44.
Previous Big East Previews
Cincinnati Bearcats
Pittsburgh Panthers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
UConn Huskies
USF Bulls
West Virginia Mountaineers
Next Preview: Army Black Knights
Previous Pre-Season Previews
ACC- Boston College Eagles, Duke Blue Devils, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Maryland Terrapins, Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Big 12- Kansas State Wildcats, Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big Ten- Illinois Fighting Illini, Michigan Wolverines, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes, Purdue Boilermakers
C-USA- Houston Cougars, SMU Mustangs, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Tulane Green Wave, UTEP Miners
Independent- Navy Midshipmen
MAC- Ball State Cardinals, Bowling Green Falcons, Buffalo Bulls, Central Michigan Chippewas, Temple Owls, Toledo Rockets
MWC- BYU Cougars, Colorado State Rams, UNLV Rebels, Utah Utes
Pac-10- Arizona State Sun Devils, Oregon Ducks, Stanford Cardinal, USC Trojans, Washington Huskies
SEC- Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Mississippi Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Vanderbilt Commodores
Sun Belt- FIU Golden Panthers, North Texas Mean Green, Troy Trojans
WAC- Boise State Broncos, Fresno State Bulldogs, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, New Mexico State Aggies
2009 Bowl: None
Final 2009 AP Ranking: Not Ranked
Head Coach: Doug Marrone (4-8 at Syracuse)
Non-Conference Schedule: at Akron (9/4), at Washington (9/11), Maine (9/18), Colgate (9/25), Boston College (11/27)
2009 Offensive Statistics
Scoring: 21.2 points per game (7th in Big East)
Rushing Yards/Game: 126 (7th in Big East)
Passing Yards/Game: 203 (5th in Big East)
Total Yards/Game: 330 (7th in Big East)
2009 Defensive Statistics
Scoring: 27.9 points per game (last in Big East)
Rushing Yards/Game: 101 (1st in Big East, 13th in Nation)
Passing Yards/Game: 235 (7th in Big East)
Total Yards/Game: 337 (5th in Big East)
2009 Misc Stats
Turnover Margin: -0.50 per game (last in Big East, 97th in Nation)
Penalties: 51 yards per game (6th in Big East)
Returning Starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 10
Kicker/Punter: 2
Top Returning Statistical Leaders
Passing: QB Ryan Nassib, Jr (36 of 68 for 422 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT)
Rushing: RB Delone Carter, Sr (236 carries for 1021 yds, 11 TD, 4.3 ypc, 85 ypg)*
Receiving: WR Alec Lemon, Soph (29 rec, 295 yds, 1 TD, 2.6 rec/game)
Receiving: WR Marcus Sales, Jr (28 rec, 324 yds, 3 TD, 2.3 rec/game)
Tackles: FS Mike Holmes, Sr (77)
Sacks: LB Doug Hogue, Sr (9.5)
Interceptions: FS Mike Holmes, Sr (3)
*Carter is currently suspended
2010 Pre-Season Rankings
Athlon Sports: #74
Pre-Snap Read: #80
Sporting News: #99
2010 Pre-Season Big East Prediction:
Athlon Sports: #7
Phil Steele: #7
In Doug Marrone's first year Syracuse went 4-8 and included good wins over Northwestern and Rutgers. Syracuse should be (at worst) 3-1 going into the Big East schedule so it will be interesting to see how they navigate the competitive Big East this year. We caught up with Brian Harrison of the Syracuse based blog Orange 44 to find out his thoughts on the 2010 Syracuse Orange.
Introduction from Brian:
Syracuse Football is not a joke anymore. Under the helm of Greg Robinson it was. His incompetence at running a program was evident from season 1. His failure to recruit left the cupboard bare for the program, fans, and respect. How quickly we forget that Syracuse has a National Championship (1959), a Heisman Trophy Winner (Ernie Davis, 1961), and was the school of Donovan McNabb, Jim Brown, Marvin Harrison, Dwight Freeney, and Floyd Little just to name a few. Second year Head Coach Doug Marrone (affectionately known to the fans of SU as HCDM) has personally made it his mission to restore glory to the once proud northeast football powerhouse. It’s personal because Marrone is a Syracuse graduate himself, and he considers his current position his dream job. It’s the perfect storm for Syracuse fans waiting for the program to become relevant again. And with only one year and limited time to recruit, the eyeball test is already producing favorable results for Marrone. On top of that the current staff is recruiting like gangbusters again. Impressive transfers are coming to Syracuse believing in the mission of Marrone as well. Yes, joke if you like, but Syracuse is a program on the rise again, and anyone that truly watches college football regularly will no doubt agree.
What are the major strengths and biggest weaknesses of Syracuse?
The biggest strength of the offense will clearly be the running game. Syracuse has always been known for running backs and this year is no exception. Redshirt senior Delone Carter has had some off-field trouble as he was accused of hitting an individual after his car was hit with a snowball and was charged with a misdemeanor. He was suspended by the university but will apply for reinstatement after the summer and should join the team once he is let back into school. Carter ran for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and should be just as productive this season if able to take the field. He would be the first option to run the ball, but even if he does not play for part of the season there is other talent on the team to run the ball. Junior Antwon Bailey was a running threat (312 yards), but was also talented in catching the ball out of the backfield (27 catches, 200 yards). Junior Averin Collier had a breakout performance against Rutgers in the Carrier Dome, who had a 60 yard touchdown run, and looks to have an expanded roll this season.
For the defense, both the defensive line and linebackers are going to provide stingy defense again this coming season. Despite losing Art Jones to the NFL Draft, Syracuse still returns a lot of talent that managed to stop the run and apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich look to build on the successes of 2009 on the defensive line. On top of that, at linebacker Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue return. Smith led the team in tackles last season, and Doug Hogue became a sack master late in the season and led the team in tackles for loss.
The major weakness of the team is just a shortness of scholarship players. With just over 50 on scholarship at the Spring Game Syracuse will have problems fielding a competitive team if several injuries occur during the season. Syracuse faced this problem last season, and if the same number of injuries occur it will be hard for the Orange to earn more wins than the previous year. While good recruits are coming in, losing starters is never good, and that would be especially true for Syracuse.
Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test?
The first major test will be the second game on Syracuse’s schedule. The Orange will head west to take on Washington and the skilled quarterback Jake Locker. Washington demolished Syracuse to open the 2007 season and crushed hopes for the entire season after one game. This will be a good early litmus test to see if the defense is as good as people think it will be, and if the starting quarterback truly deserved getting the nod.
What team on the schedule do you fear the most?
I suppose the traditional and practical pick would be West Virginia. Syracuse has to travel to Morgantown this season, never an easy place to play. On top of that, senior running back Noel Devine, an orange killer if there ever was one, will be back and in top form against Syracuse. SU had an absolutely stingy run defense last season and Devine managed to still run all over the Orange. In this rivalry game, Syracuse would be ecstatic to win, but realizing we are still rebuilding Syracuse just wants to put up a strong showing and hang in as long as they can.
Who is the best player on your team that nobody talks about?
Senior safety Max Suter is a fan favorite in the Salt City. He picked off an interception during the Northwestern game in the Carrier Dome last season as the game was tied with minutes remaining, which set up the game winning field goal for Syracuse. Additionally he had been a bright spot on special teams as a return man. He is a hard worker and will give 100% even if the team is trailing by a few touchdowns late in the game. Fans appreciate that kind of dedication.
Who is the best offensive player on the team?
If he returns to the team it will be running back Delone Carter. He was a workhorse last season, and has the ability to break long runs or be a good enough decoy to allow receivers to get open. Needless to say, Carter has a great ability to find gaps and break some tackles. He is also a very powerful runner and is impressive to watch. While he may not start the season’s first few games, when he is in the lineup he is always a danger of moving the chains or going up and over the defense for a touchdown.
Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?
Linebacker Doug Hogue should make the most impact. While he had a decent season overall he really made his mark against Rutgers in the Carrier Dome in a huge grudge match game. It’s no secret that Syracuse wants to dominate Rutgers again, not only on the field but in the recruiting game as well. The team took this mission personally and on senior day Doug Hogue simply dominated Rutgers and their quarterback Tom Savage. He sacked the hell out of Savage, getting to him 9.5 times. Hogue has speed as a converted running back and will look to get to even more quarterbacks this season.
What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it's full capability?
Quarterback Ryan Nassib needs to step up and take charge of his team, and become a playmaker. Similarly, the receivers will have to really step up. Save for Mike Williams who was the best receiver in the league until he quit in the middle of last season, the receivers for Syracuse have been inconsistent. Alec Lemon, Van Chew, and Marcus Sales will look to be targets for Nassib and by all accounts they possess the talent to do so. Look for all of them to have some highlights over the year.
Who is the top offensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?
That should be senior transfer wide receiver Aaron Weaver. Weaver arrives from Hofstra, who ended their football program at the end of last season. He led the Pride with 63 catches for 797 yards and will add instant depth and provide a nice target for Ryan Nassib. As few wide receivers have distinguished themselves as a reliably consistent target for Syracuse, Weaver could make an instant impact and be a nice surprise for the Orange.
Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?
Safety Orlando Fisher transferred in from Nassau Community College and has been enrolled at Syracuse since January so he could get an early jump and go through the spring practice schedule. He should see time at strong safety, but also could see time as a linebacker. Fisher could also provide a spark on special teams coverage, an area that was a weakness for the Orange last season.
Gut feeling on the team’s final record at the end of the regular season and what makes this a successful season in your eyes?
My way too early feeling is that Syracuse will go 5-7 or 6-6. Either way, because Syracuse has two 1-AA teams on the schedule they will need seven wins to make a bowl game. But honestly, anything more than four wins, and more than one win in the Big East will be considered marked improvement and should be considered a successful season. Syracuse is a season or two away from a bowl game, and that’s alright. The team is entertaining to watch again, they can compete with teams that would have beat them a few years ago, and Syracuse is recruiting well again. Right now, Marrone is doing everything possible to make fans believe and feel better about Syracuse again. You can’t ask for much more than that. I do believe that a bowl game is in the near future for Syracuse, but I think it is just out of reach for this season. Either way, we will be better than the year before.
Check out Brian's Syracuse blog Orange 44. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @BH_Orange44.
Previous Big East Previews
Cincinnati Bearcats
Pittsburgh Panthers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
UConn Huskies
USF Bulls
West Virginia Mountaineers
Next Preview: Army Black Knights
Previous Pre-Season Previews
ACC- Boston College Eagles, Duke Blue Devils, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Maryland Terrapins, Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Big 12- Kansas State Wildcats, Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big Ten- Illinois Fighting Illini, Michigan Wolverines, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes, Purdue Boilermakers
C-USA- Houston Cougars, SMU Mustangs, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Tulane Green Wave, UTEP Miners
Independent- Navy Midshipmen
MAC- Ball State Cardinals, Bowling Green Falcons, Buffalo Bulls, Central Michigan Chippewas, Temple Owls, Toledo Rockets
MWC- BYU Cougars, Colorado State Rams, UNLV Rebels, Utah Utes
Pac-10- Arizona State Sun Devils, Oregon Ducks, Stanford Cardinal, USC Trojans, Washington Huskies
SEC- Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Mississippi Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, Vanderbilt Commodores
Sun Belt- FIU Golden Panthers, North Texas Mean Green, Troy Trojans
WAC- Boise State Broncos, Fresno State Bulldogs, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, New Mexico State Aggies
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