The Syracuse Orange enter year two under head coach Doug Marrone coming off a four win season with only one of those wins coming in conference play. Things are starting to look up for a once proud program that won a total of 10 games between 05'-08'. 15 starters are back from last year's squad that might surprise a few teams in the Big East this season. The Orange haven't been to a bowl game since the 04' Champ Sports bowl, but with a couple of upsets they could be heading back in 2010. Syracuse is +1500 to win the Big East title.
A balanced attack was used by the Orange last season to the tune of 330 yards per game of total offense. Running the ball seemed to produce better results, however, as Delone Carter rushed for 1021 yards and 11 touchdowns. The senior back was a workhorse last year, carrying the ball 236 times and will be leaned on heavily once again in 2010. QB Ryan Nassib will get an opportunity to start after backing up former Duke basketball player Greg Paulus. The mobile quarterback was used mainly to run the zone read last season, but his passing skills will be on display this year. He attempted just 68 throws in 09', completing 36 passes for three scores. Alec Lemon seems to be the likely top target in the passing game. The sophomore wide receiver came on strong at the end of last season by catching nine passes for 140 yards against Uconn. Two transfers from Hofstra will join this group to give it much needed depth. Coach Marrone will call the plays himself this season after giving R ob Spence just one year as coordinator.
The Orange defense lose only one starter from a defense that was stout against the run last year. They allowed a Big East best 102 yards on the ground per game thanks in large part to DT Arthur Jones. Their pass defense wasn't quite as good which resulted in giving up almost 28 points/game. That was an improvement from the two previous seasons when they allowed over 32 points. DE Chandler Jones (Arthur's brother) will play a key role up front. His 8.5 tackles for loss led the team in 2009, but he needs raise the 1.5 sacks recorded. Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer is notorious for blitzing and does not to let offenses dictate the pace. Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue combined for 18 sacks from their linebacker position and both return for their senior seasons. This is a veteran group with eight upperclassmen that are projected to start. With so many returning starters, this should be one of the better defenses in the Big East.
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reach the magic mark of six wins, Syracuse will have to pull off a couple upsets along the way. They have four games in which they should be favored in, but only one of those will be a Big East game vs. Louisville. Conference play will open with a road trip to South Florida (0-5 all time vs. USF) and Pitt comes to town on Oct 16 for Homecoming. While I believe this team has enough talent to reach a bowl game, I think a 5-7 record will have them on the outside looking in.
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