Syracuse Orange Season Preview

Otto the Orange has not had a ton of fun in the Carrier Dome as the ‘Cuse have struggled mightily at home, going 13-26 since 2005.

Plus, Syracuse has had three coaching changes since 2004, and it is next to impossible to implement a system with new players when your program is constantly changing coaches. Doug Marrone is heading into his third season and holds a respectable 12-13 record.

Surprisingly, that is the best two year run at the beginning of a tenure for a coach at Syracuse since Paul Pasqualoni in ’91-’92.

2010 Recap

Syracuse is supposed to represent the state of New York. Last year was the first time in years where they were actually entertaining to watch.

An 8-5 season concluded with a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Kansas State in front of 38,000 fans at Yankee Stadium. The exciting game did end on a questionable call by the officiating crew, when Adrian Hilburn of the Wildcats scored a late touchdown and immediately gave a “Mile High Salute.”

The only problem was that he penalized fifteen yards for excessive celebration. The game was within two points, so Kansas State was forced to go for a two-point conversion from 18 yards away. Officials should never decide the outcome of a game, but I digress. Nonetheless, Syracuse had a magical 8-5 season, which leads to a ton of optimism for Orange nation in 2011.

Defense: Fake or Fraud?

The optimism stops there though. I loved the Cinderella story they had a season ago, since it made them and the Big East somewhat bearable to watch.

However, their seventh-ranked defense from last season begs the question: Fake or Fraud? Five starters return as a whole, with only two starters back in the secondary. Did I mention the corners do not have much playing time?

The opener against Wake Forest should give us an inkling of how good this defense will be, but a trip to the L.A. Coliseum should tell us everything we need to know. If the Orange can slow down USC by any means, then I will gladly eat crow and talk about how Syracuse is well on their way to becoming a legit bowl team for years to come.

DE Chandler Jones is the only Big East caliber performer on my watch, and he has been talking a big game for the upcoming season.

“I’m not saying I’m going to get 30 sacks,” Jones told a Syracuse blog. “I’m just saying that’s my goal.”

The all-time NCAA record is 27 by the sack master himself, Derrick Thomas of Alabama back in 1988. I have Jones slated for about eight sacks, but anything more would be golden.

This front four lacks the beef up front which means that teams will attempt to run it right at them. Without a ton of depth and experience, they will drop from 2010's 41^st-ranked rush defense that allowed only 136 yards per game. The linebacking corps will be tough to improve without any seniors starting and just one returning starter, so the struggles should start to mount after the Trojans run for 200-plus yards on them. 

The Need for Speed

The offense ranked just 97^th last season. However, with eight starters back including QB Ryan Nassib, it gives some hope they can improve their production. RB Delone Carter has graduated, but Antwon Bailey is capable of producing as the next starter.

Also, the entire receiving corps is back, but that is not necessarily a good thing. Van Chew, Marcus Sales, Alec Lemon, and TE Nick Provo combined for just 14 touchdowns a season ago. The bigger problem is that the rest of the group had just five more touchdowns. Poor Otto!

Drama's Forecast

The schedule is middle of the pack difficulty wise, but for Big East standards it is pretty brutal. After fun in the sun against the Trojans, they go back home against Toledo and Rutgers.

However, they end October and start November with games against West Virginia, Louisville, UConn, USF, and Cincinnati.

Don't forget that 'Cuse won four nail biters a season ago and miraculously only lost 8 starters the entire season due to injury. They could pull off an upset or two and avoid the basement of the Big East, but that is what I like to call dreaming!

Predicted Finish: 5-7, 1-6

Predicted Bowl:  None

Predicted order of finish in Big East: Seventh