Alright, let's get started on 2011.
Syracuse favored by 6.5. They come into the season experiencing something that hasn't happened in 9 years: a bowl win. This resulted in ticket sales going way up for the Thurs night opener in the Carrier Dome. Expect pandemonium under the lights after a day of tailgating and ESPN cameras rolling into town.
Facing this environment is a sophomore QB at Wake (Price) whose passer rating last year was 68 and he threw more INTS (8) than TDs (7). All his primary receivers are gone except one. The Wake defense last year was ranked 111th out of 120 teams in points allowed. And now: they lost their DC in the offseason and are starting from scratch with a 3-4 scheme. Last year they started almost all freshmen on defense, I don't expect much improvement this year, it's not an experience issue it's a talent issue.
Syracuse returns every starting receiver except Sales; their QB Nassib threw 19 TDs last year against 8 INTS and passed for 2,334 yards. WR Van Chew is a potential all-American. Their RB beast Carter is gone, but his replacement Bailey averages 4.9 ypc. The ENTIRE offensive line returns for 'Cuse. On defense: problems with returning only five starters. But wait, their DC is in his third year and he has successfully trimmed thier PPG allowed each of his first two years, by 5 ppg in 09 and 9 ppg in '10. I expect 'Cuse's defense to experience a very slight dropoff, but it won't matter against Wake's poor offense and inexperienced QB.
The optimism surrounding Syracuse HC Doug Marrone in his third year is contagious. Wake has suffered a predictable dropoff in talent equivalent to the pre-Riley Skinner days. Bottom line: Syracuse has enough offensive weapons and good enough defensive coaching to handle Wake under the lights.
On Sept. 1, break out the whiskey, paint it Orange and slam down the cash!
SYRACUSE -6.5
Syracuse favored by 6.5. They come into the season experiencing something that hasn't happened in 9 years: a bowl win. This resulted in ticket sales going way up for the Thurs night opener in the Carrier Dome. Expect pandemonium under the lights after a day of tailgating and ESPN cameras rolling into town.
Facing this environment is a sophomore QB at Wake (Price) whose passer rating last year was 68 and he threw more INTS (8) than TDs (7). All his primary receivers are gone except one. The Wake defense last year was ranked 111th out of 120 teams in points allowed. And now: they lost their DC in the offseason and are starting from scratch with a 3-4 scheme. Last year they started almost all freshmen on defense, I don't expect much improvement this year, it's not an experience issue it's a talent issue.
Syracuse returns every starting receiver except Sales; their QB Nassib threw 19 TDs last year against 8 INTS and passed for 2,334 yards. WR Van Chew is a potential all-American. Their RB beast Carter is gone, but his replacement Bailey averages 4.9 ypc. The ENTIRE offensive line returns for 'Cuse. On defense: problems with returning only five starters. But wait, their DC is in his third year and he has successfully trimmed thier PPG allowed each of his first two years, by 5 ppg in 09 and 9 ppg in '10. I expect 'Cuse's defense to experience a very slight dropoff, but it won't matter against Wake's poor offense and inexperienced QB.
The optimism surrounding Syracuse HC Doug Marrone in his third year is contagious. Wake has suffered a predictable dropoff in talent equivalent to the pre-Riley Skinner days. Bottom line: Syracuse has enough offensive weapons and good enough defensive coaching to handle Wake under the lights.
On Sept. 1, break out the whiskey, paint it Orange and slam down the cash!
SYRACUSE -6.5
