Don't Look Now But...

[elimunelson]

We play Uconn after FSU -- there's no way we'd start 2-2, even with a loss Saturday. Did you mean 3-2 [with Clemson being the next game]?

Yes meant 3-2. Duh. Stupid mistake on my end.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Dungey ran for 109 yards and a TD on a broken foot last year against “those athletes”

Also chipped in 278 and 2tds through the air (foot still broken)

In Tallahassee

Right. I really don’t think Babers wants him running around that much. I mean, if it must happen for us to win then we’ll ride him to the ground but not ideal, IMO. Also, Irv and Ish were on the team. More respect for our offense. I think the book is out on Dungey/SU now that he truly is the whole offense this year. What happened last year is irrelevant. Dino and pretty much every coach say this week in and week out.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I’m more skeptical about this game still than most here. Got a feeling Akers has a big day. Big plays kill us on d and we have to limit those. Would be a huge win, but I certainly wouldn’t put any bets on this one.

 

[TheCusian]

I’m more skeptical about this game still than most here. Got a feeling Akers has a big day. Big plays kill us on d and we have to limit those. Would be a huge win, but I certainly wouldn’t put any bets on this one.

I think it's fair to be skeptical. We really don't know enough about our WR or D yet.

I am confident in saying we have the better OL. Their RB haven't been able to do much because their OL was bad and then had a bunch of injuries. They are as young at LB as we are. Throw in that we have a QB and an O that has been in year 3 of our system vs really clear issues in installing their brand new O and D...

They are running a system like Narduzzi runs on D. Will be interesting to see if they leave our WR in single coverage and what we do with that info. Can Custis, Butler or the kids take advantage of that? No idea.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Dungey ran for 109 yards and a TD on a broken foot last year against “those athletes”

Also chipped in 278 and 2tds through the air (foot still broken)

In Tallahassee

Yes, their board is showing us tons of respect right now. What we have to do is follow through and get that big "W".

 

[GoSU96]

I’m more skeptical about this game still than most here. Got a feeling Akers has a big day. Big plays kill us on d and we have to limit those. Would be a huge win, but I certainly wouldn’t put any bets on this one.

It's inevitable there are going to be busts, that's a certainty with this defense. The offense has to break the 28pt ceiling against good teams.

20 games vs P5 teams, 30 or more only 4 times, 61 in a loss to Pitt, 43 in a loss to Wake, 33 in a loss to ND, 31 in a win vs VT.

 

[SoBristol]

I was bullish entering the season (7 wins & a bowl); still am. Time to get on board with this team; win this week and SU can make some noise. Not waiting around for next season.

.Of course we have issues (average receivers; too dependent on Dungey's health), but we also have strengths -- special teams have better athletes than in recent seasons; second unit DL is very good so we have a deep rotation there; second unit DBs are bigger, better athletes who can contribute; 8 deep on OL; seniors in key positions; an exceptional blocking back in Chris Elmore; a defense that can get its share of turn-overs.

The offense might not be everything we would like, but special teams can compensate for that.

 

[AirForceOrange]

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/s...ia-specialist-blasts-fans-twitter/1255706002/

 

[Newhouser]

I am just hoping we get a chance to settle in and battle. It seems like over the last few years every time we have had a chance to be amped up for a big game the first few plays go against us. It seems we give up a big pass or have a pick 6 or something that deflates the sails quickly. Let's just not be behind before my seat at the Dome is warm, and go from there.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Yes, their board is showing us tons of respect right now. What we have to do is follow through and get that big "W".

what is their best forum?

 

[P Vasiloff]

In order to win this game, Syracuse must do the things on offense to score touchdowns often, not field goals, but touchdowns. Defense must not give up big play and not allow FSU backs and wideouts to get into open spaces. This game is winnable, but Syracuse has to play very very well in all three phases. A large very enthusiastic crowd will be a big plus for the Orange too. As a former alumni used to say, "Just win baby."

 

[texascpa]

Yes, their board is showing us tons of respect right now. What we have to do is follow through and get that big "W".

What board are you looking at? The only active one I can find is Warchant, but both the football forums are premium based.

 

[SWC75]

I'm in my 58th year of being an SU football fan. This was the first game i ever watched, (on TV):


(Still love those uniforms.)

From that game to to last Saturday, we are 337-304-6. What I've learned in that time is that cautious optimism is the best stance. you are braced for the disappointments but can still enjoy the successes as much as anybody with an extra element of being at least mildly and pleasantly surprised. I recall when we were 5-0 going into the Penn State game in 1987, some people were predicting an 11-0 season. I scoffed at that but hoped for at least 8-3 and a bowl game. We went 11-0 and I enjoyed that at least as much as those who had predicted it.

That's not being a "Debbie Downer". It's just being careful - and smart. When I've departed from this, (like thinking after the Michigan game in '98 we'd come back from the Tennessee loss to run the table, win the national title and get McNabb the Heisman. Then came the trip to Raleigh. I had a dark cloud raining on me for a week or more after than, depression amplified by anger. i don't want to go through that again.

Before the season I looked at Art Briles, (on the field) record at Baylor and saw this: 4-8, 4-8, 7-6, 10-3. I still think that's probably our schedule. Wins over a Western Michigan team that doesn't seem to be as good as we thought and a Wagner team we probably shouldn't have even been playing doesn't change that. A peak at the impressive young talent does create optimism about the future but we need to get those guys into the game against the good teams. A look at how our upcoming opponents are doing also creates optimism- that we can compete with them better than we have in recent years. I think better than 7-6 -even 10-3- is possible and feel better about that than I did before the season began. But the word is "possible". Stay tuned.

 

[SoBristol]

I'm in my 58th year of being an SU fan ….

Before the season I looked at Art Briles, (on the field) record at Baylor and saw this: 4-8, 4-8, 7-6, 10-3. I still think that's probably our schedule. ….

Good post overall, but there is that issue about waiting for next year to be the break-out. Have to take advantage of Dungey, and the seniors on the offensive front, including Pierce at TE, and our only WR who is making a mark (Custis). I might feel a little better if DeVito actually gets points on the board at some point, and if the young WRs show more. At the moment, I am a tad more cautious about 2019, and more bullish about what we see right here, right now. Make the most of it.

 

[IthacaMatt]

what is their best forum?

There was a link up above in this thread.

 

[jgeorge322]

I've said it ad nauseum but a new contract won't prevent the REAL money from coming in and poaching him no matter what. He's either in and the money is what it is or he's Tom O'Brien looking for the next gig up the ladder. I think he's the former FWIW but a new contract and shiny new years won't prevent a bigger school from always offering more money.

I use the example of David Shaw. He could have an NFL job if he wanted to pursue it. He's happy at Stanford and i'm sure he isn't maximizing his earning power there. He's happy there and they are happy with him.

My comment was partially tongue in cheek and more reflective of my excitement to the op. But, what you say isn’t entirely true either. What is a good contract is very relative.

 

[NineOneSeven]

There was a link up above in this thread.

Interesting, can't find it.

 

[CousCuse]

will not let the Cuse lose this game. In fact, I believe that he and his Orange team mates intend on breaking out an industrial size can of whoopass for the "noles. Time to get payback.

 

[RF2044]

"You've just got to annihilate (opponents). It's just kind of a mindset you've got to have," Eric Dungey said. "I feel like we should have won by more. Just from my standpoint, I feel like we could have done a lot better. We could have scored more and more. It's going to be good film to watch. It's going to be good film to watch and learn from."



"We're definitely looking to run up the score and annihilate teams," Nykeim Johnson said. "That's basically a statement that we needed to make. We needed to go out and show that we're one of the best teams in the country and a lot of people don't believe it, but as long as we're together and we believe it, we'll get it done."




Anyone else get the impression our team is frothing at the mouth to "annihilate" our opponent this weekend [I'd personally settle for a 1 point win -- whatever, just win baby]?

That seems to be the team's mindset -- feels like a perfect storm shaping up.

 

[PhatOrange]

"You've just got to annihilate (opponents). It's just kind of a mindset you've got to have," Eric Dungey said. "I feel like we should have won by more. Just from my standpoint, I feel like we could have done a lot better. We could have scored more and more. It's going to be good film to watch. It's going to be good film to watch and learn from."



"We're definitely looking to run up the score and annihilate teams," Nykeim Johnson said. "That's basically a statement that we needed to make. We needed to go out and show that we're one of the best teams in the country and a lot of people don't believe it, but as long as we're together and we believe it, we'll get it done."




Anyone else get the impression our team is frothing at the mouth to "annihilate" our opponent this weekend [I'd personally settle for a 1 point win -- whatever, just win baby]?

That seems to be the team's mindset -- feels like a perfect storm shaping up.

With two players making the reference it seems like a mindset or an attitude the coaches are trying to instill in the team this year. I love it. Jump on teams, put your foot on their throat and don't let up.

 

[OrangePA]

We haven't been 4-0 in 27 years.

I'm not going to believe it will happen until it actually happens.

If we win this weekend, which is certainly possible, then I'll start believing it can happen again. UConn is a trap game, but it's game I feel like we could win even if we wore blindfolds.

I just hope everyone realizes how big this weekend is and the Dome looks way more full than not. I unfortunately cannot be there, as much as I want to, but we've ensured our seats will be filled.

I am very worried that FSU is going to wake up this Saturday.

The Orange will have to play a very good game to win.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I am very worried that FSU is going to wake up this Saturday.

The Orange will have to play a very good game to win.

It can go either way.

They can pull it together.

They can also go into a shell.

 

[Chip]

I am very worried that FSU is going to wake up this Saturday.

The Orange will have to play a very good game to win.

Me too. Just hoping it comes later in the year. My comfort spot is their OL, which really has been below par for them both last year and this year. We'll find out a lot about the talent on our DL on Saturday.

 

[SUskibum]

I am just hoping we get a chance to settle in and battle. It seems like over the last few years every time we have had a chance to be amped up for a big game the first few plays go against us. It seems we give up a big pass or have a pick 6 or something that deflates the sails quickly. Let's just not be behind before my seat at the Dome is warm, and go from there.

I am not trying to be an antagonist, but didn’t we score 2/3 of our first possessions against Clemson last year?

When Dungey has been our QB and Dino our coach, we have played pretty well against everyone that I can remember (not always won, but played tough)

 

[Yeti]

We'll find out a lot about the talent on our DL on Saturday.

I'm pretty confident in our D-Line. Love Slayton and Mckinley. Hoping they keep it going.