BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #9 SYRACUSE

November 7, 2008


As improbable as it sounded just a few short weeks ago, the Rutgers football team is working on playing themselves into bowl contention. With their remaining schedule, having to win at least three of four to get eligible is not an improbable proposition, in fact, I would almost bet on Rutgers to do it.

After a 1-5 start where they did not earn a win against a single 1-A football program, Rutgers has turned the ship around with an ugly 12-10 home win over UConn and a statement road win at Pittsburgh in which they scored 54 points on the Panthers. How remarkable was that outburst? In the previous six games against 1-A opponents, RU averaged a pathetic 13 points a game!

Syracuse also enters the game in a positive move. The Orange matched their conference win total of 2006 and 2007 last week when they upset Louisville in the Carrier Dome, 28-21, earning their first Big East win of 2008. It was also their first win against a 1-A club this year.

The latest college football odds indicate Rutgers as a 14 1/2 point favorite. Pittsburgh-explosion aside, that is a lot of points for a team that has tremendous trouble scoring. Syracuse has been playing a little better under Greg Robinson lately and they should be able to keep the game from getting out of control. Both teams will look to run the ball, so this should be a rather low scoring affair.

Prediction:

Rutgers 21
Syracuse 13

Read more!

BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #7 SYRACUSE

October 17, 2008


The inconsistencies of the South Florida Bulls finally caught up with them as USF was removed from the ranks of the unbeaten by Pittsburgh in their last outing, 26-21, on a late Panther touchdown. The Bulls had beaten a ranked Kansas squad and rolled over North Carolina State on the road in their previous outing, but they have also struggled against UCF and Florida International in prior contests. Now they must pick themselves back off the mat after losing their conference opener 16 days ago.

On the other side of the field this Saturday in Tampa will be the Syracuse Orange. There has been nothing inconsistent about SU this season, or in any season in the Greg Robinson era, as the Orange have been consistently woeful. Maybe they are showing some signs of life as they have made things difficult for Pittsburgh and West Virginia in their last two outings. SU is just 1-5 overall on the season and 0-2 in the Big East, their lone win has come against Northeastern...ouch!

The Bulls definitely needed a little bit of a breather after the Pitt game and the time-off should allow Mike Ford to reclaim his status as the USF go-to running back. Ford was impressive late in the game against Pittsburgh after being slowed since the season opener because of injuries. QB Matt Grothe could use the help as he has been expected to carry the full offensive load lately.

The Syracuse defense actually had an impressive outing against the Mountaineers in their last game, before falling 17-6 in Morgantown. WVU managed just 268 total yards of offense and 92 of those came on one play late in the game on a Noel Devine touchdown run. However, the USF offense will be much better prepared this week to attack the Cuse from air and ground and take advantage of the Orange as the Syracuse Stats continue to show the Orange ranking near the bottom of college football in most major offensive and defensive categories.

The Football Lines show USF to be a 24 1/2-point favorite in this contest. Look for a well-rested Bulls squad to get back on track and feast on some imported Oranges from central NY on Saturday afternoon.


Prediction:

South Florida 42
Syracuse 14

Read more!

BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #6 SYRACUSE

October 9, 2008



Despite the rocky 1-2 start under first year head coach Bill Stewart, the West Virginia Mountaineers have begin to right the ship a bit with a win over in-state rival Marshall and began the Big East portion of their schedule by beating Rutgers, 24-17, last week. At 1-0 in the Big East, WVU still has their conference title hopes alive as they try to get better each week.

On the other side of the field this week is the Syracuse Orange. The 1-4 (0-1 Big East) Orange are coming off a bye week as the Greg Robinson era continues mercifully for the dwindling fan base. On the weekend that the much anticipated move 'The Express' opens, it only serves as a reminder of what was once a proud program that is now among the dregs of major college football. SU opened Big East play looking improved, leading Pittsburgh for nearly 75% of the game, however, in the end, it was yet another loss for the Orange as they fell in the Dome, 34-24 as Pitt scored the game's last 21 points.

The current College Football Lines have the Mountaineers listed as 24 point favorites to route the Orange. Look for the Mountaineer defense, which has been coming around, to put the clamps on the SU attack. On offense, spreading the field with their superior speed will open up more lanes for Pat White and Noel Devine to run down hill all game against the abysmal SU rush defense. Syracuse surrenders over 207 yards rushing and 36 points a game, among the worst in all of college football, while on offense, they have among the worst passing attacks in the nation. While the West Virginia rushing attack might not quite be what it was under RichRod previously, it is still among the top 15 in the nation and look for them to have the ball all day against the Orange and come up with an easy win, showing just a little more comfort under their new staff.


Prediction:

West Virginia 41
Syracuse 14

Read more!

BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #4 SYRACUSE

September 19, 2008


The Greg Robinson era is continuing to sink more and more into the depths of college football as Syracuse continues to plummet. This weekend the Orange host Northeastern. After being blown out by Northwestern on the road to open the season, SU came home to the Dome and were beaten up by Akron and then demolished by Penn State. They are making a claim as the worst 1-A football program in the country. It is almost a given they are the worst among the major 1-A programs, a shell of the former proud program.

I was very surprised there was even a line listed for this game...even more surprised the Orange is only a 10 and a half point favorite.

We will take Syracuse and give the points...why? I don't know...they do have some talent in that program that should be able to rise above Northeastern, at least...


Prediction:

Syracuse 34
Northeastern 17


If they lose in this one...can Greg Robinson really return to work next week??

Read more!

BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #3 SYRACUSE

September 12, 2008


Wow, how the once mighty Syracuse Orange football program has fallen. Once, a trip to the Carrier Dome was a daunting task for even the elite of college football (see, Nebraska, circa 1984). The 'Loud House' has been reduced to a smattering of boos here and there as the Greg Robinson era is sinking into the depths of college football's all-time worst eras. Now, even a solid, but not spectacular Penn State squad comes to town with College Football Lines listing the visitors as 28-point favorites.

Sorry 'Cuse fans, not only isn't Donovan McNabb, Marvin Harrison, Joe Morris, Rob Moore or Jim Brown coming through that tunnel on Saturday, neither are the likes of Jamie Covington, Todd Norley or Mike Siano, key figures in the Syracuse 1984 upset of then-No.1 Nebraska.

Instead, it will be an overmatched Orange squad that is coming off a home lose to the Zips of Akron. In two games this year, SU has surrendered 72 points in two games against Akron and Northwestern and now face a Nittany Lion squad that has rolled up 111 points in their two wins this year.

Penn State is coming off a 45-14 win over Oregon State with Evan Royster running wild on the Beavers. Do not expect SU to slow down Penn State this week as PSU might be able to name their score, even on the SU home turf.

My, how the mighty has fallen! Bet on Syracuse? Not on your life...


Prediction:

Penn State 48
Syracuse 17

Read more!

BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: WEEK #2 SYRACUSE

September 4, 2008


The downward spiral of the Syracuse football program continued as they opened the 2008 college football season with a 30-10 loss on the road against Northwestern. Now the Orange open their home schedule with a date against Akron from the MAC.

Akron also opened their season last weekend with a road loss to a Big 10 team as the Zips saw Wisconsin pull away in the second half for a 38-17 win.

Statistically, Akron and Syracuse seemed to mirror each other in most overall categories in week #1 and this probably projects as a pretty even match-up, sadly for Syracuse. Reviewing the College Football Lines for the week and seeing the Orange begin as a 7-point favorite and see the line be whittled down to -5 and even -4.5 in some places is an indication that many do believe that Akron and Syracuse are basically 'even' teams, but the Orange will have the home field advantage in their favor.

Just do not expect the Dome to be rocking like the days of Donovan McNabb, Marvin Harrison or other recent SU greats. This football is a shadow of it's former self in terms of football talent.

I do feel the Orange has some decent talent at the running back position and they will look to exploit a defense that allowed over 400 yards rushing last week at Wisconsin. Curtis Brinkley, Delone Carter and true frosh Doug Hogue should be able to find room and if Andrew Robinson can keep the defense honest, SU should be able to control this game.

Prediction:

Syracuse 24
Akron 16

Most of the Syracuse fans will be there hoping to get a glimpse of Orange basketball players at the Dome.

Read more!