(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
This is part one of an ongoing season preview of Syracuse University's 2009-2010 Football Season.
Syracuse Head Coach Doug Marrone will have his first game in Orange on Sept. 5 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Carrier Dome. The game will be the first of three straight for the Orange against Big Ten opponents.
Minnesota begins the campaign following a disappointing season, where the Gophers were 7-1 before losing their final five contests of the season. There should be a sense of optimism in Minneapolis with the Gopher's top offensive threats returning to the team this season.
All Big-Ten freshman DeLeon Eskeridge returns in the backfield, along with Sophomore Shady Salamon, which should create a great dual-back system.
Top receiving threat Eric Decker enters his senior season needing two more catches to break the school record for receptions. And if that were not enough, Junior quarterback Adam Weber returns as the number four all-time Minnesota passer with 5,656 yards through the air.
Not only do the Gophers return threats on offense, but they also have multiple weapons on defense as well. Senior linebacker and leading tackler Lee Campbell returns to the huddle, as well as Junior defensive back and Kyle Theret, who was second on the team in interceptions, to the secondary.
Syracuse enters the season with first year head coach Doug Marrone at the helm. This is a very different Syracuse team from the one who went just 3-9 a year ago. All Big East receiver Mike Williams returns to the team, following a year in community college because of some off the field issues.
Running backs Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey, and Averin Collier fill the shoes of the departed Curtis Brinkley, and junior tight end Cody Catalina will be blocking and receiving asset for the Orange. The biggest question for the Orange's offense is going to be at quarterback.
Deemed an All-American Redshirt Freshman Honorable Mention status, sophomore quarterback Ryan Nassib was set to be the starter for the Orange, moving former starter from last season Cameron Dantley to the backup role. Since the addition of Syracuse native and former Duke point guard Greg Paulus however, things have been up in the air.
While being considered the third string quarterback on the depth chart, Marrone seems very high on Paulus and it seems that there could possibly be a lot of changes at the quarterback position forthcoming.
On the defensive side of the ball, all Big East nose tackle Art Jones opted to not enter the NFL Draft to return for his senior season, where he should be a force on the defensive line for Syracuse. Look for Junior Max Suter to step up for the defense as a safety, along with Nico Scott in the secondary as a corner back.
Converted running back Doug Houge is now a linebacker, and punter Rob Long enters the season ranked sixth in Division I football with an average better than 42 yards a punt.
The key for Syracuse to win this game is going to be to slow down the passing game of Minnesota. Whether Art Jones was in the middle of the defensive line or not, Minnesota's game plan was going to be to pass the ball.
With their top quarterback and receiver returning this season, it is going to be huge for Suter and company to check the receivers and minimize their big plays. All in all, I think it is going to be too big of a task for the Orange to overcome.
PREDICTION
Syracuse- 14
Minnesota- 28
Predictions?
-KShaw
As written http://thesaltinewarriors.blogspot.com
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