Hope Springs Eternal: Why the Orange Could Begin Their Resurgence In 2009

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

The last four years under head coach Greg Robinson have been tough for Syracuse football fans. In only a few short years they've seen their once proud program become the laughing stock of BCS schools; they've seen one of the most unique venues in football, the Carrier Dome, turn into an empty tomb, and they've had to suffer through watching former bottom feeders Rutgers and UConn become contenders in their stead. 

But that's all about to end. 

The firing of Greg Robinson and the subsequent hiring of Syracuse University alum, Doug Marrone will mark the beginning of an Orange resurgence in 2009, and I've got five reasons why.

1. A favorable schedule:

This season the Orange won't be traveling as much as they've become accustomed to the past few years. Syracuse will only have to leave the comfort of playing at home a total of four times in 2009, with their other eight games all being played in the Dome.  

The schedule even includes a six game stretch from September 19th to October 31st in which the Orange won't have to leave Syracuse at all.

Away games will be played against Penn State, Pittsburgh, Louisville and UConn to conclude the year. 

Doug Marrone's team will have some tough games this season, including three games against Big Ten foes Minnesota, Penn State, and Northwestern to open the season.  Overall though, Syracuse's schedule should get a bit easier than it was last year. 

They will once again host the Akron Zips of the MAC, and they will play Football Championship Subdivision (formerly D1-AA) team Maine. 

If Marrone manages to improve this team at all, Syracuse should have no problem beating both Akron and Maine, and they may even be able to steal a win against Minnesota or Northwestern who are both coming to the Dome. 

Also working in Syracuse's favor is playing in the weak Big East.

The Big East is generally considered to be the worst of the BCS conferences, and the league could be weaker than ever this season. Nearly every member of the conference lost key players to graduation or the NFL draft at the conclusion of last year, and they will be looking at rebuilding years. 

The Big East is not the SEC.  It's member schools don't lose players like Pat White, LeSean McCoy, Mike Teel, Kenny Britt, or Donald Brown and expect to simply reload.  Some of these teams will be vulnerable, and it will give the Orange more opportunities to win conference games this season than they have in several years. 

2. The Return of Mike Williams:

After a season away from the team due to an academic suspension, wide receiver Mike Williams has returned. 

Williams was far and away the best player the Orange had during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In 2007 Williams tied the school record for receptions in a season with 60 and had 10 touchdown receptions which ranks third in school history for a season. He had a team high 837 total yards and was named second team all-conference. 

His nine consecutive games with a touchdown reception is still the longest streak going in the FBS division. 

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