2009 Syracuse Orange College Football Predictions

2009 Syracuse Orange Predictions
2008 Record: (3-9, 1-6)
Coach: Doug Marrone, 1st year (0-0)
Off. Coordinator: Rob Spence (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Scott Shafer (1st year)
Returning Starters: 14 (6 offense, 7 defense, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Cameron Dantley)

Need winning college football predictions each week? Visit ATS Consultants and sign-up for the free sports picks newsletter for college football betting information and free college football picks

Offense: New head coach Doug Marrone comes in to a program that has been a doormat since the Big East began, but has one of the greatest traditions. Marrone’s background is in the NFL as an offensive coordinator and line coach with the New Orleans Saints. He’s also fortunate to have some talent in running back Delone Carter (5-10, 214) and junior WR Mike Williams. Carter rushed for 713 yards in 2006 before missing all of 2007 with a dislocated hip. A hamstring injury limited him to four games last year. Williams had 837 receiving yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore in 2007 before sitting out last year due to academic reasons. He joins junior Donte Davis, who had a team-leading 29 catches in 2008. The quarterback is Cameron Dantley (6-1, 218), a senior who threw for just 1,298 yards last year, but has more weapons this season. The O-line returns just two starters and the inexperience will be on the right side.

Defense: The Orange return seven starters from a unit that allowed 32.7ppg and 414.5 yards per game. The rebuilding job starts on this side of the ball. The D-line returns junior NT Arthur Jones (6-3, 282), who has 31.5 tackles for loss. At linebacker, the Orange has two starters returning. The problem with the unit is that they are undersized, but they are active. Junior Derrell Smith (6-1, 224) is the top returning tackler with 73. The secondary returns three starters and will move former corner Mike Holmes to free safety. Holmes had a two picks and a forced fumble. He’s also a solid kick returner, averaging 23 yards per return.

Outlook: Syracuse is not really backing down. They play three Big Ten teams to start the season in Minnesota at home, Penn State on the road and Northwestern at home. They also face Akron and Maine at home and their only road contests in conference are against Pitt, Louisville and Connecticut. Marrone has the offense to at least pull off a few close calls and maybe an upset or two.

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year!!