Article Sizing Up The Syracuse Orange

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Sizing Up The Syracuse Orange

NCAA Football: Pittsburgh at Syracuse
Syracuse Head Coach Dino Babers (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)

Believe it or not, the Syracuse Orange are now in year 5 under the reign of Head Coach Dino Babers.  And what a roller coaster it has been.

Sparked in 2018 by gritty senior quarterback Eric Dungey, who led the Orange to 10 wins and a trophy in the ACC’s 2nd slot bowl game (Camping World Bowl), the Babers’ regime has thus far failed to capitalize on the program’s early momentum.  Syracuse backfilled the 2018 campaign by putting an Elite 11 quarterback at the helm in 2019, Tommy DeVito.  Thus far, those accolades have failed to produce.

Offense

Babers has been known throughout his head coaching career as an offensive guru, starting with coaching Jimmy Garoppolo at Eastern Illinois. He followed with by replacing Dave Clawson, current Wake Forest head coach, at Bowling Green.  There he led the Falcons to a MAC championship in 2015 as part of a 10-win season where the offense produced 8 games of 40+ points. So far in 2020, Syracuse (0-2, 0-2) enters week 3 of its schedule in arguably the most dire position offensively that Babers has ever faced.

Through two games in 2020, DeVito has thrown for 144 yards total.  He has been sacked 14 times.  No, those sacks were not simply due to one bad game.  Both North Carolina and Pittsburgh tallied 7 sacks apiece.  The Syracuse offense has produced exactly one touchdown, and of course it came via the back-up quarterback who connected on play over the top for 69 yards against Pittsburgh. That play accounted for 69 of Syracuse’s 171 total yards for the game.

To make matters worse, the trying times on offense are only somewhat under Babers’ control.  Syracuse entered the preseason knowing its offensive line had razor thin depth.  Before the season started, the Orange lost starters at both guard positions as well as first-off-the-bench key reserves.  Adding to the depth disarray, the Orange lost its first and second string running back to opt-outs before game 1.

Common wisdom in baseball is that you are defined defensively by the strength up the middle (catcher, pitcher, second baseman, shortstop, center field).  In Syracuse terms, they’ve lost 2/3 of their middle from an already challenged personnel group.  As Georgia Tech experienced last year with its own injuries on the offensive line, an offensive coordinator cannot wave a magic wand to make things better.

Speaking of offensive coordinators, Syracuse has a new one in 2020 that will be familiar to Jackets’ fans.  The Orange brought in Sterlin Gilbert, previously the offensive coordinator at USF in 2017 and 2018.  In 2018, the USF Bulls racked up 35 points offensively en route to a 49-38 win over the Jackets in Tampa, FL.  Thus far, the early returns at Syracuse speak for itself, caveats previously noted.

Defense

If transition of scheme on offense wasn’t enough, Syracuse also transitioned to the 3-3-5 defense under new defensive coordinator, Tony White.  White coached defensive backs at Arizona State and was promoted to defensive coordinator in December before making the transition to Syracuse.  Thus far, the returns for the Orange have been surprisingly positive.

Despite the anemic Orange offense, Syracuse entered the 4th quarter of each of its first two games trailing within striking distance.  Against the Tar Heels on the road, the Orange trailed 10-6 entering the fourth.  Against the Panthers, the Orange trailed 21-10, the eventual final score.  Overall, not bad for a defense hung out to dry.

Given Georgia Tech’s turnover woes, it should be noted that the Orange’s best player on defense is junior safety Andre Cisco.  Simply put, Cisco is a ball hawk.  Somehow under the radar out of IMG Academy, Cisco managed to make national All-America teams his freshman year (not the freshman teams, mind you) after leading the NCAA with 7 interceptions.  He was All-ACC Second Team during his sophomore campaign in 2019.  He entered the 2020 season as the FBS Active Leader in interceptions (12) and #2 in passes defended per game (1.27). Thus far in 2020, he’s on the board with 1 pick off of Sam Howell.  He is everywhere on the field.

Special Teams

The Orange enter the game versus Georgia Tech with a decided advantage on special teams.  Based on what Georgia Tech has shown early that may not be saying much, however the comparison is most stark at the field goal kicking position.  Kicker Andre Szmyt, a former walk-on, was the 2018 Lou Groza award winner.  He is 50 for 58 for his career and has connected from over 50 in each of his first two full seasons.

The Orange also have a fairly dynamic punt returner this year in Nykeim Johnson.  At 5’ 8”, his low center of gravity and short area quickness makes him a threat to take it to the house.  He did just that against North Carolina, however the return was called back due to a blindside hit by the Orange return team that had no impact on the outcome of the play.

Keys To The Game

I’ll start by beating the familiar drum.  Turnovers and Special Teams.  If Georgia Tech can limit turnovers, I think the Jackets take this one.  Even with turnovers, it should be possible for Tech to stay in this via solid defensive play.

Of course, the injuries to the Syracuse OL has a doppelganger in Georgia Tech’s DL.  It could be argued that the Jackets will field the weakest defensive line that the Orange have faced thus far.  And you could say without argument that the Orange have a leg up on Special Teams, despite our absolute unit in Pressley Harvin (mandatory weekly shout-out).

Both Syracuse and Georgia Tech enter this game at inflection points.  Both schools, coaches and fanbases likely view this as a moment to keep the season on track.  If not, the result may lead to a spiral effect the other direction.  You never like to play a team with its back against the wall, particularly one playing at home for the first time this season. 

My prediction: Jackets 28-21.  The Jackets also need this win badly.  In the end the Syracuse offense likely remains mostly inept with few ways to overcome their issues in 7 days.  Assuming there is no starting quarterback change in Upstate NY, the Jackets will be facing a statue quarterback who generally runs only to keep defenses honest.  Because of this, even if Georgia Tech turns the ball over, it may require an opportunistic Orange defense to aid its team in the scoring column. 

Recognizing the Orange woes on offense, Collins and Patenaude can call a more conservative gameplan offensively, enabling Sims and the offense to regain its confidence and avoid the volume of unnecessary mistakes that doomed the Jackets this past Saturday. The Jackets will come back to Atlanta undefeated in ACC play and with an opportunity to use a bye week to rest up for its most daunting stretch of the season.

 
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Believe it or not, the Syracuse Orange are now in year 5 under the reign of Head Coach Dino Babers.  And what a roller coaster it has been. Sparked in 2018 by gritty senior quarterback Eric Dungey, who led the Orange to 10 wins and a trophy in the ACC’s 2nd slot bowl game (Camping ...

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Syracuse triples their typical scoring, putting up a massive 18 points.

Georgia Tech 28, Syracuse 18.

Charlie Thomas and Quez Jackson have big days. Ahmarean breaks out again.
 

orientalnc

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The Tech offense has faced two pretty decent defensive teams, so the Orange D should not be a step up in any form. I think the Tech offense has got to start playing cleaner, especially in the red zone. And, it would be nice to get some of our injured guys back on the field. I do not want this to be a repeat of 2019 on that front.

I do not like picking scores, but I believe we will win another ugly game. This time by 8-10 points.
 

GTNavyNuke

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Glad we have a resident expert on the Orange.

I believe it will be an ugly game if the past two for the teams are repeated. Winner TBD based on who is playing Saturday.

In the COVID era of minimal fan presence, I don't think home field is that much of a difference unless it's weather. Syracuse 10 day forecast has Saturday with sunny weather, high 78 and low 59 F. Hopefully no Syracuse fans are caught napping on camera. But that weather would support a nice afternoon nap if the teams continue as they have.
 

New Old Guy

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Glad we have a resident expert on the Orange.

I believe it will be an ugly game if the past two for the teams are repeated. Winner TBD based on who is playing Saturday.

In the COVID era of minimal fan presence, I don't think home field is that much of a difference unless it's weather. Syracuse 10 day forecast has Saturday with sunny weather, high 78 and low 59 F. Hopefully no Syracuse fans are caught napping on camera. But that weather would support a nice afternoon nap if the teams continue as they have.

nuke, I love you (especially in baseball), but weather will not be a factor. Syracuse FB plays in a dome.
 

slugboy

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That 56.5 over is something else. Syracuse averages 8 points per game (even though they were both ranked teams) and is giving up 25.5 per game. We’re averaging 18.5 per game and averaging giving up 31 (yeeesh UCF curve-wrecking game).

TL;DR for this to be nearly an all around push, the score would be something near 32-25 in our favor, which is an offensive outburst for both teams.

To me, the over seems out of whack. Maybe Vegas thinks we can’t play defense.

Also, weird to get favored, even though we were pretty sure it was coming.
 

CuseJacket

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Is Syracuse an engineering school? I am surprised at the grammar errors in this post. Commas can go anywhere you like?

Hah, I know you're mostly tongue in cheek, but what makes this funnier is Syracuse has arguably the best public communications school and pumps out sports broadcasters and journalists.

Bob Costas, Mike Tirico, Lakshmi Singh, Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Ted Koppel, Chris Licht, Sean McDonough, Beth Mowins, **** Stockton are some of the alumni just off the top of my head.

Syracuse's current AD is also a Newhouse alum and was hired away from ESPN. His last gig at ESPN was EVP, Production and Programming.
 

orientalnc

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Hah, I know you're mostly tongue in cheek, but what makes this funnier is Syracuse has arguably the best public communications school and pumps out sports broadcasters and journalists.

Bob Costas, Mike Tirico, Lakshmi Singh, Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Ted Koppel, Chris Licht, Sean McDonough, Beth Mowins, **** Stockton are some of the alumni just off the top of my head.

Syracuse's current AD is also a Newhouse alum and was hired away from ESPN. His last gig at ESPN was EVP, Production and Programming.
Yes. It was partly a tic aimed at you, but also has a serious element. What has happened to communications? Are we not capable of using our language correctly?
 

Jerry the Jacket

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When your defense gives up 49 points it's a sure indication that you have a porous defense. I think the gamblers figure we will give up at least half that to most anybody we line up against. The good news is they think we will score around the same amount. We still are trying to learn how to win. Not there yet.

Go Jackets!
 

YJMD

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If there's a team on our schedule to dominate, it's this one. We have a very versatile offense that means we can put up yards on anyone. But we have to execute better or we'll keep Syracuse in the game like UNC and Pitt did.

UCF exposed the limitations of our defense, but Syracuse doesn't have the tools, and if they can't stop us from collapsing the pocket they are going to struggle mightily. Can't let Devito escape to extend drives, either.
 

Heisman's Ghost

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The Jackets open as 7 point favorites on the road. Over/under 56.5.

Track line movements here: https://www.vegasinsider.com/colleg...ent/[email protected]/date/09-26-20

Other ACC odds:
  • Florida State @ Miami (-10.5)
  • Louisville @ Pittsburgh (-3.5)
  • Notre Dame (-17.5) @ Wake Forest
  • Duke @ Virginia (-6)
  • NC State @ Virginia Tech (-10)
I watched the Syracuse and UNC game and came away thinking that they were very similar to us last year on offense.
Among other things I noted about the Orange:
* 3-3-5 defense with multiple looks. They blitz a good bit and have an outstanding safety
* Good corners and they seem to play a lot of man to man
* Quarterback is experienced and throws a pretty pass but is a statue. Devito is pretty gun shy after getting sacked 14 times the last two games
* UNC scored on the first drive but fooled around after that
* Offensive line is really bad, much worse than ours, yes even compared to last year. A former tight end has been pressed into duty due to opt outs and injuries
* 2 top running backs opted out and they have a new offensive coordinator
* They hung tough on defense against two top 25 teams. I was impressed with the defense's tenacity.

To think this team, not long ago was a media darling which goes to show that for everyone but the true factories, the way down is usually a lot faster than the way back up. The line is at 7 with Syracuse as a home dog. This might be a good line to bet on Tech. I just do not think Syracuse will be able to move the ball hardly at all and their defense will get worn down. I think we should cover this line pretty convincingly by two or three touchdowns. We will see what happens.
 
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