2014-15 Football Previews – (ACC) – Orange
It was a decent first season for Scott Shafer at Syracuse. A 6-6 record qualified them for the Texas Bowl and a win over Minnesota gave them a winning record for the year.
Syracuse Orange
Head Coach: Scott Shafer
2013 Record: 7-6
Odds to win National Championship: 75/1 (field)
Odds to win (ACC): 66/1
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Syracuse Team Link
However, if you look closely at the results you will see that there were embarrassing losses to Georgia Tech, Florida State and Clemson – all by 35 points or more. This program has a long way to go if they are going to compete in a league that seems to be getting better.
Strengths:
Last year’s team held their own on defense giving up just 25ppg. With eight starters returning the defense is again going to have to again lead the way if this team is going to compete. That ppg average was heavily skewed by those blowouts mentioned in the introduction.
Beyond those opponents only one team scored more than 30 points against Syracuse.
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Not only do the Orange have returning starters they have a lot of experience up front. All but one members of the front seven are seniors for a defense that was 24th in the nation against the run last season.
These guys might be a little light, especially at linebacker but they should not be confused with what they see on defense.
The Orange need more from QB Terrel Hunt but he cannot complain he has nobody to throw to with Ashton Broyld, Jarrod West and Steve Ishmael.
The two juniors and a freshman are all well over 6 feet so all Hunt has to do put the ball close to the spot where those guys can go an get it. The passing game should improve from 102 in the nation.
Weaknesses:
This team had a terrible time scoring last season averaging just 23ppg which was aided by 54 points against FCS Wagner. They need Terrell Hunt to be able to do more through the air as a junior.
He is an elusive runner but they need him to hit big plays down the field because his completion percentage is not elite.
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A team that relied on running the ball last season will be breaking in 3 new offensive line starters this season at center, right guard and right tackle. Hunt may be well protected on the left side by two returnees but if the line is leaky he and the rest of the offense will have no chance.
To succeed they will need balance.
Last year Jay Bromley led the team with 9.5 sacks. The returning linemen had a total of 7 last year and if this team cannot get a push up front they will be sunk.
Cameron Lynch, a 5’11 linebacker is the leading returning sacker but at his size you can not count on him making those kind of big plays again.
Prediction: 4 – 8
Schedule:
- Aug 29 – Villanova
- Sep 13 – @Central Michigan
- Sep 20 – Maryland
- Sep 27 – Notre Dame (East Rutherford)
- Oct 3 – Louisville
- Oct 11 – Florida State
- Oct 18 – @Wake Forest
- Oct 25 – @Clemson
- Nov 1 – NC State
- Nov 8 – Duke
- Nov 22 – @Pittsburgh
- Nov 29 – @Boston College
The Orange should start 3-0 but don’t be fooled it will be as much about the schedule as any sort of unexpected development by the team.
That should create some value on Notre Dame when they square off at MetLife. After that the losses should mount though I like the Orange to take down Duke in their final home game.
There should be some good value there but Duke is hardly a powerhouse after a division winning season.
