Last year after crushing WVU on National TV Syracuse was 5-2 on the season and had won 13 of its last 20 games including a bowl game. Over that time SU beat WVU twice, Rutgers, Cincinnati, USF, Wake Forest and Kansas St. While this list may not contain the likes of Alabama, Florida or Oklahoma it certainly showed me that Marrone could field a team that could compete with and beat teams from FBS conferences. That has to count for something. As a matter of fact, I would venture to guess one would need to go back to the early 2000's to find a time when SU had one at least 13 of 20 games.
I am extremely frustrated like everyone else but I do see positive things. SU has moved the ball against everyone they have played. Take away three plays from the Northwestern game (interception return for a TD, fumble return for a TD and a punt return for a TD) and Syracuse wins that game by at least two scores. Last night in a game where Minnesota came out firing on all cylinders in front of a rabid home crowd SU failed to score on a first and goal inside the 5 yard line and fumbled on another drive at the Minny 20 yard line. Throw in a few more drives where SU got inside the Minny 40 and did not score any points and I get the feeling SU left at least 13 points on the field in a game they ultimatelty lost by 7. The defense bent but never broke, I was actually pleased that they only gave up 17 given the amount of time they were on the field.
Hey, Pittsburgh lost to Youngstown State, Connecticut lost to Western Michigan and USF lost to Ball State.
If Syracuse can accomplish the following two things:
1. Play competent (not spectacular) special teams
2. Eliminate the turnovers that cost them against both NW and Minny
Why can't they beat anyone left on their schedule?
