Given the losses on defense, that line seems fair to me. If you asked me at the beginning of the season, what positions could we least afford to lose players, the answer would have been CB, DE and safety (both). Ishmael is a big loss too but at least there are some bodies behind him. Hudson is probably our best CB playing the run but he has really struggled in pass coverage. Hudson will probably get the start Saturday but I think Jones, the true frosh from Ohio, is going to end up winning the CB slot opposite Corey. Williams and Scissum are next up at FS I think. Williams is a really good athlete. Can he stay healthy enough to play? I said before the season started and continue to think the biggest key towards this team becoming bowl eligible is whether the defense can consistently stop the run. They did a great job against Colgate and an awful job against UL. Despite the big passing numbers they put up against UNI, the Bulls are a run first offense. Their top RB suffered a concussion against Towson and missed the UNI game. Not sure but I would guess he will sit out or at least be less than 100% Saturday. They have some other les experienced RBs who can run though. Their QB Flowers is a good, not great runner. He doesn't have nearly the speed or agility we saw Friday. They will see the film and try to run outside repeatedly until SU proves they can stop this. They have enough speed that they might be able to do this. It is surely a big key to the game. I think Flowers can hurt us some passing but if we can take the run away and force him to pass in passing situation, we might be okay on defense. Their defense looks fast and talented but is not as good as UL's, particularly against the run. I think we are going to have to find a way to run the ball against them when they play 5 and 6 DBs. Those are the two keys to the game (and the season for that matter). I think USF is good. Somewhere in the top 25-35 range. This game is going to be a big challenge for Syracuse. I hope they are up to the task.
