sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to National Banana Lovers Day!
Today we celebrate the banana—the most popular fruit in the United States and around the world. The average person eats about 100 of them a year, which comes out to about 25 to 33 pounds worth. They are the cheapest fruit and are also one of the most perishable. They may appear to grow on trees, but they actually grow on plants that have 10 to 20 feet high trunks. The banana plant is an herb—the largest herb plant, actually—and bananas are its fruit. The plant grows in the tropics.
Each banana is about 100 calories and is high in fiber and potassium, which are good for treating high blood pressure, ulcers, calcium loss, and some cancers. Bananas are also a good source of manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. There are over 1,000 varieties of bananas, but the kind most eaten in the United States is the Cavendish. The Gros Michel was once the most commonly eaten, but in the 1950s it fell victim to a fungus that causes Panama disease, so farmers had to switch to the Cavendish.
SU News
Dabbundo: SU’s bubble, football plan challenges reality of NCAA amateurism (DO; Dabbundo)
A few weeks ago, the chances of college football seemed near zero. Syracuse football players sat out four separate practices, and multiple Power 5 conferences postponed their fall seasons.
Since then, though, many of the Orange’s players’ concerns about playing football in 2020 have faded as the season-opener against North Carolina on Sept. 12 nears. But that comfort shouldn’t take away from the underlying truths: The NCAA has already canceled fall championships and multiple conferences have canceled fall football. The ACC’s risk of sending athletes up and down the eastern seaboard is extraordinary. Money, not safety, is still driving the decision-making.
John Wildhack said on Tuesday that Syracuse still plans to compete in sports this fall. That means Syracuse football players — who have largely been separated from groups outside of themselves and not exposed to the coronavirus in at least six weeks — will take an airplane to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to play football against the Tar Heels on Sept. 12. They’ll abandon their bubble for another one that just popped.
UNC has already closed its campus and went fully online because of a large coronavirus outbreak — recently reporting a 31.3% positivity rate among tests that had been completed. Head coach Mack Brown suggested that the campus closure is a competitive advantage and a “better seal around our program,” showing where the balance truly lies in the “student-athlete” term that the NCAA has used for decades.
The ACC isn’t MLB. Its athletes aren’t professionals. And SU can’t reasonably leave its own bubble while still claiming to fly under the flag of amateurism.
...
Roundtable: Beat writers express concern about weak offensive line (DO; Staff)
The Orange are coming off a disappointing 2019 year as they head into the season opener against North Carolina on Sept. 12. Syracuse is currently “behind” in preparation for its season opener due to the coronavirus, and head coach Dino Babers is still unsure about which of his players will opt-out of the fall season.
Before the season kicks off, our beat writers discussed pressing questions about Syracuse football and the 2020 season.
1. The offensive line struggled throughout all of last season — only two NCAA teams (Old Dominion and Akron) allowed more sacks than Syracuse’s 50. Do you see that position being a concern again for the Orange in 2020?
Anthony Dabbundo: I’m more bullish on the Syracuse offensive line than most people, even if it may not look great in the first few weeks of the season. Babers hinted on Monday that there are injuries currently, but at full health, the returning continuity is really important and underrated. I’m expecting offensive line play to be significantly worse across the conferences still playing football in 2020, and there are reasons to be optimistic that a line returning four starters could make a leap and be average in the ACC in 2020 after last season’s struggles. The success of the line could hinge on the status of Florida transfer Chris Bleich, who is still waiting to learn if he’s eligible to play in 2020. My concerns with the 2020 SU offense lie elsewhere.
Danny Emerman: It’s a concern, for sure. Syracuse had the fifth worst sack rate (12%) out of all 130 FBS programs last year, according to Football Outsiders. They were banged up, overtaxed and playing out of position practically all year, leaving quarterback Tommy DeVito running for his life. And though the only place for the O-line to go is up, Babers has already cast concern over this year’s group. When asked about the unit on Monday, Babers hinted that the group already has some injuries and might not be at full strength until late September or early October. Add Bleich’s still pending eligibility ruling, and a huge improvement looks even less likely. They’ll be better, but a negligible boost won’t do much.
DeVito, Cisco Raising Their Voices in 2020 (spectrumlocalnews.com; Larson)
After a disappointing debut season as SU's starting quarterback, Tommy DeVito is different this season, audibly different.
"I just feel like he became more vocal," said junior receiver Taj Harris. "He's always been a leader, he's always led by example. But, he's definitely voicing his opinion more and letting us know how he feels."
What You Need To Know
...
Football players feel safe heading to UNC | The NewsHouse (thenewshouse.com; Hertel)
Despite an unconventional offseason, Syracuse football is just two weeks away from kicking off its season against North Carolina, and concerns loom large about the coronavirus pandemic following newly released statistics from Chapel Hill.
UNC reported this week that 31.3 percent of students have tested positive for coronavirus in the first couple weeks of classes. While the campus-wide outbreak caused the school to revert to online-only classes, that’s not stopping the Tar Heels from hosting the Orange on Sept. 12 at the Kenan Memorial Stadium.
SU junior quarterback Tommy DeVito, junior wide receiver Taj Harris and junior defensive back Andre Cisco said Tuesday the SU squad trusts the coaching staff and the athletic department to lead them through the season safely.
“It’s definitely one of our concerns, and it’s been one of our concerns,” said Cisco, who was named to the AP preseason All-American team, regarding traveling safely to North Carolina. “With the amount of tests that they’re doing is where my confidence lies and I would hope that with efficient testing from each school, that we can prevent anything bad from happening when we get down there.”
Football players speak on quad gathering
Investigations continue into the large student gathering on the quad last week, and SU football players are speaking out on behavior that could cost them their season.
“We were not happy to see it,” said senior defensive end Kingsley Jonathan during a video call with reporters.
“When you have a bunch of people coming back on campus, there’s going to be some people who don’t follow the rules,” junior cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu reflected. “I didn’t expect it to happen this early, but I expected it to happen sooner or later.”
...
Syracuse Football: National analyst predicts ‘Cuse for WR Umari Hatcher (itlh; Adler)
Syracuse football has found a groove with its 2021 class, and the next commitment could come from three-star wide receiver Umari Hatcher.
With 18 commitments to date in its 2021 recruiting cycle, Syracuse football is probably heading toward the finish line with this class, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if a pledge potentially arrives in the near future from three-star wide receiver Umari Hatcher.
Brian Dohn, a national analyst with 247Sports who has a stellar success rate in his Crystal Ball projections for that recruiting service, logged a prediction on Wednesday with a high confidence level of eight for the Orange as it pertains to the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Hatcher.
Also on Wednesday, Hatcher tweeted out, “Commitment coming soon!!!” He also appears to have listed six schools with this tweet, and they are Syracuse football, Indiana, Michigan State, Maryland, East Carolina and Liberty, a crew that the ‘Cuse is slated to host from the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Oct. 17.
...
Syracuse Football: Should the Orange have received AP votes? (itlh; Mlodzinski)
The college football preseason AP Top 25 poll has been released ahead of the 2020 season. Syracuse football was not included, but they sure could of.
Syracuse football was ranked 22nd in the 2019 AP Preseason Poll and that didn’t hold up well for the Orange. They finished 5-7 which included some not so fun blowouts. Dino Babers didn’t get the guys around for a nice 2-1 finish. All in all, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
But there is new hope for 2020! The Orange return their signal-caller in Tommy DeVito and have a solid group of veteran offensive linemen. The defense could be shaky, but they do boast on one of the top safeties in the country in Andre Cisco. Overall, the season could go a lot of ways, but there is a good amount of talent, so a .500 finish or above is certainly in the cards.
The 2020 preseason rankings have ACC foe Clemson in the top spot. Other conference members are Notre Dame (yes, we consider them ACC for this season) at 10, and North Carolina at 18. Virginia Tech, Miami, Louisville, Virginia, and Florida State are all receiving votes.
...
Syracuse football players have 'Trust' in 2020. (SI; Payne)
As bad as 2020 has been, nothing has left behind a more loathsome taste than the Orange’s 2019 season. Last year’s 5-7 campaign, marred by injury and woeful offensive line play, fell well short of expectations. So what can Syracuse football fans expect now? The odds are stacked against redemption.
Consider the following:
Any one of the above issues or inconsistencies alone would be enough to stifle one’s confidence. Having to overcome all five simultaneously is almost unimaginable. How could anyone possibly hope to conquer all of these obstacles? The answer is simple. "Trust."
Syracuse players Tommy DeVito, Taj Harris, and Andre Cisco met virtually with the media on Tuesday after practice. Their thoughts on 2020 were optimistic, and based on the trust they have for one another.
Where QB Tommy DeVito goes, the Orange will follow. In 2019, DeVito went to the turf more than any other quarterback in a Power 5 conference. The fourth-year slinger needs to be able to stay on his feet in order to take a step forward in 2020.
“There’s a lot of different variables that could take place,” DeVito said, acknowledging the many factors that go into getting sacked. “As far as getting the ball out of my hands quicker: just seeing the defense faster, being able to be on the same page as my receivers, just trusting the whole process and play calls.”
Charged with calling those plays is new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert. A new face and a new system can be daunting, but DeVito believes his teammates were able to rise to the challenge.
“Sometimes, when there’s a new coach coming in, you can get some cold feet, you know, if there's new things flying around,” DeVito said. "But I think that as an offense, we embraced it and we know where we want to be in the end. He’s going to help us get there.”
When asked how confidence in the new offense was built, DeVito responded “Trust.”
...
Former Syracuse Orange DE Alton Robinson Impressing at Seattle Seahawks Camp (SI; Staff)
Alton Robinson burst onto the national scene during a 10-sack 2018 season as he helped Syracuse finish in the top 15 in the final polls with a 10 win season. He followed that up with a solid 2019 season, despite facing constant double and triple teams. That led to the Seattle Seahawks selecting Robinson in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In his first training camp with the Seahawks, Robinson is already impressing head coach Pete Carroll.
"Probably, we’re more excited than we thought we could be at this time this early in camp," Carroll said, via Ben Arthur of SeattlePI. "That’s a real positive."
According to Arthur, Robinson was originally drafted to play the smaller of the two defensive end positions in Seattle's defense. However, with that spot essentially solidified, Robinson has put on some weight in order to provide opportunities at other positions.
"It’s helped him," Carroll said. "He’s a powerful rusher. He already has good finesse and good moves and understands how to play on the edge and all. But you can see him break the edge down some because he’s stronger than some of the faster, sleeker guys that are weighing in the 250s.
"He’s run in the 4.6s. You put the whole package together and he’s done well. He’s done real well. He’s learned well. We have seen him play in a game yet, so we don’t know. But he’s made a really good impression."
...
ACC's "Position U's" 2020 (RX; HM)
ACC's "Position U's" 2020
From ESPN:
Position U 2.0 - Which schools produce the most college football talent at each position?
Plenty of ACC teams make these lists, starting at...
Quarterback U
1. Oklahoma
2. USC
3. Oregon
4. Louisville
5. Texas
6. Florida State
7. Auburn
8. Florida
9. LSU
10. Ohio State
Who's next: Clemson
For the bulk of the time period included in our Position U analysis, Clemson's QB claim to fame was career NFL backup Charlie Whitehurst. But with Deshaun Watson already a superstar, Trevor Lawrence poised to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, and former top recruit D.J. Uiagalelei waiting in the wings, few teams can compete with the Tigers' recent run at the position.
Who's missing: NC State
We're wearing protective gear and entering witness protection to avoid the NC State backlash this time around. Yes, the Wolfpack have the numbers to make their case as QBU with Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, Mike Glennon and Ryan Finley all on NFL rosters. But remember how this formula works. For all of its NFL talent, NC State has never racked up many college awards, with Wilson's lone season as a Heisman contender coming at Wisconsin. Moreover, only Rivers was a high draft choice. Then there's the problem of Wilson's transfer, which awards his NFL success to the final school he played at: Wisconsin. Yes, five future NFL starting QBs made their way through Raleigh during their college careers, but when it comes to identifying QBU -- for NC State, it's complicated.
...
Changes to ACC FB Schedule (RX; HM)
Changes to ACC FB Schedule
A number of changes to the ACC football schedule were made Wednesday, among them:
Who still needs an 11th game?
BC and Virginia also play - on 12/5 - but that's the final week. If those two did decide to move their game, they have common open dates on 9/12, 9/26 and 11/21. This would only come into play if one or both teams finds a non-conference opponent for December 5th.
What about the hole created by the NC State/Virginia Tech game on 9/12? The Hokies play both BC (10/17) and Virginia (9/19), with open dates now on 9/12 and 11/28. So if BC can find an ooc game on 10/17, the BC/VT game could be moved. On the other hand, if UVA finds a non-conference opponent for 9/19 they could simply move the Commonwealth Cup up one week.
...
Notre Dame Football: Report suggests more annual ACC games to come (fihtingirishwire.com; Shepkowski)
If you’ve followed us at Fighting Irish Wire at pretty much any point over the last year or so you’re aware that we refer to Notre Dame’s football relationship with the ACC as a “friends with benefits” situation.
Notre Dame gets six games annually but keeps their independence while the ACC gets Notre Dame on the schedule for six of their teams each year. The Irish then belong to the conference for every other sport the rest of the year.
Both Notre Dame and ACC have a football fling, but neither appear racing to change their Facebook relationship statuses, either.
According to a report from SI’s Wolverine Digest, Notre Dame staying at six games with the ACC when things return to normal, might not be a given.
From the Wolverine Digest report:
“Notre Dame really wanted to play and was willing to enter into an agreement that could lead to something down the road … at the very least, more games every year against ACC teams,” an insider shared. “They’re adamance about playing was the ace-in-the-hole a group, led by Clemson, needed to really push for a season and turn the tide in favor of ignoring the Big Ten.
“I mean, if Notre Dame, with their academic reputation and their national brand, was willing to go forward … it sort of just sealed the ACC’s fate.”
– Wolverine Digest Staff Report 8/26/2020
There isn’t clarification as to whether that means simply adding a seventh ACC game to Notre Dame’s schedule soon or if it means that Notre Dame has promised to join the conference as a full-time member down the road.
...
How ACC football teams have prevented the spread of coronavirus within their programs (postguam.com; Pope IV)
While COVID-19 continues to spread on some college campuses, ACC football teams have somehow found a way to keep the coronavirus under control in their locker rooms.
The spread of COVID-19 has reshaped the fall, with conferences like the Big Ten and Pac-12 postponing fall sports and schools like N.C. State and North Carolina going to all online classes due to clusters among students and employees.
But in football facilities from Boston to Florida, things appear to be about as under control as they can be. Although some ACC programs — like Clemson and North Carolina — had outbreaks early this summer, since then teams have found a way to stave off coronavirus.
Since July 24, four ACC schools — Boston College, Louisville, Virginia and Miami — have reported zero cases with their football programs. Two more schools — Georgia Tech (3) and Syracuse (5) — have reported five positive tests or less. And no ACC school that has reported its numbers (Wake Forest and Virginia Tech have not) has reported cases in the double digits.
...
Predicting every ACC team’s first loss this season (247sports.com Crawford)
Dabo Swinney wants to play this season. Every coach in the ACC wants to play this season. And with league commissioner John Swofford taking similar steps the SEC and Big 12 have taken to ensure safety protocols are at the maximum and players are tested on a regular basis, college football is happening.
Swinney, who is trying for his third national championship in five years this fall, is behind the ACC's decision to push forward and said recently after practice he is encouraged by an attempted return to somewhat normalcy this fall.
"It still comes down to everyone's personal responsibility to protect themselves and to protect other people. So I think just everybody has to sacrifice," Swinney said. "We're going to get through this. This isn't for the rest of our lives. We will get through this. But we need to get back to school, back to football and everything we can as safe as possible.
"So just having respect for the protocols and understanding what close contact is, and if you can't have social distancing, making sure you have your mask on and protecting yourself and protecting others, keeping your hands clean."
...
Other
Yikes! Northern snakehead, a toothy, invasive fish species, caught in Upper Delaware River (PS; $; Figura)
The state Department is asking anglers in the Upper Delaware River to be on the lookout for northern snakeheads following the catching of one recently by an angler in the Callicoon area of the river.
The toothy, invasive fish, native to Southeast Asia, are listed federally as “injurious wildlife,” and New York law prohibits their live possession. Given the right conditions, DEC said, this fish can prey on and compete with other fish, upsetting the natural balance of local ecosystems.
The Upper Delaware is currently ranked among the top trout-fishing waterways in the country.
“Any snakehead caught should be killed immediately and not released back into the water,” said Basil Seggos, commissioner of the DEC.
...
Welcome to National Banana Lovers Day!
Today we celebrate the banana—the most popular fruit in the United States and around the world. The average person eats about 100 of them a year, which comes out to about 25 to 33 pounds worth. They are the cheapest fruit and are also one of the most perishable. They may appear to grow on trees, but they actually grow on plants that have 10 to 20 feet high trunks. The banana plant is an herb—the largest herb plant, actually—and bananas are its fruit. The plant grows in the tropics.
Each banana is about 100 calories and is high in fiber and potassium, which are good for treating high blood pressure, ulcers, calcium loss, and some cancers. Bananas are also a good source of manganese, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. There are over 1,000 varieties of bananas, but the kind most eaten in the United States is the Cavendish. The Gros Michel was once the most commonly eaten, but in the 1950s it fell victim to a fungus that causes Panama disease, so farmers had to switch to the Cavendish.
SU News
Dabbundo: SU’s bubble, football plan challenges reality of NCAA amateurism (DO; Dabbundo)
A few weeks ago, the chances of college football seemed near zero. Syracuse football players sat out four separate practices, and multiple Power 5 conferences postponed their fall seasons.
Since then, though, many of the Orange’s players’ concerns about playing football in 2020 have faded as the season-opener against North Carolina on Sept. 12 nears. But that comfort shouldn’t take away from the underlying truths: The NCAA has already canceled fall championships and multiple conferences have canceled fall football. The ACC’s risk of sending athletes up and down the eastern seaboard is extraordinary. Money, not safety, is still driving the decision-making.
John Wildhack said on Tuesday that Syracuse still plans to compete in sports this fall. That means Syracuse football players — who have largely been separated from groups outside of themselves and not exposed to the coronavirus in at least six weeks — will take an airplane to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to play football against the Tar Heels on Sept. 12. They’ll abandon their bubble for another one that just popped.
UNC has already closed its campus and went fully online because of a large coronavirus outbreak — recently reporting a 31.3% positivity rate among tests that had been completed. Head coach Mack Brown suggested that the campus closure is a competitive advantage and a “better seal around our program,” showing where the balance truly lies in the “student-athlete” term that the NCAA has used for decades.
The ACC isn’t MLB. Its athletes aren’t professionals. And SU can’t reasonably leave its own bubble while still claiming to fly under the flag of amateurism.
...
Roundtable: Beat writers express concern about weak offensive line (DO; Staff)
The Orange are coming off a disappointing 2019 year as they head into the season opener against North Carolina on Sept. 12. Syracuse is currently “behind” in preparation for its season opener due to the coronavirus, and head coach Dino Babers is still unsure about which of his players will opt-out of the fall season.
Before the season kicks off, our beat writers discussed pressing questions about Syracuse football and the 2020 season.
1. The offensive line struggled throughout all of last season — only two NCAA teams (Old Dominion and Akron) allowed more sacks than Syracuse’s 50. Do you see that position being a concern again for the Orange in 2020?
Anthony Dabbundo: I’m more bullish on the Syracuse offensive line than most people, even if it may not look great in the first few weeks of the season. Babers hinted on Monday that there are injuries currently, but at full health, the returning continuity is really important and underrated. I’m expecting offensive line play to be significantly worse across the conferences still playing football in 2020, and there are reasons to be optimistic that a line returning four starters could make a leap and be average in the ACC in 2020 after last season’s struggles. The success of the line could hinge on the status of Florida transfer Chris Bleich, who is still waiting to learn if he’s eligible to play in 2020. My concerns with the 2020 SU offense lie elsewhere.
Danny Emerman: It’s a concern, for sure. Syracuse had the fifth worst sack rate (12%) out of all 130 FBS programs last year, according to Football Outsiders. They were banged up, overtaxed and playing out of position practically all year, leaving quarterback Tommy DeVito running for his life. And though the only place for the O-line to go is up, Babers has already cast concern over this year’s group. When asked about the unit on Monday, Babers hinted that the group already has some injuries and might not be at full strength until late September or early October. Add Bleich’s still pending eligibility ruling, and a huge improvement looks even less likely. They’ll be better, but a negligible boost won’t do much.
DeVito, Cisco Raising Their Voices in 2020 (spectrumlocalnews.com; Larson)
After a disappointing debut season as SU's starting quarterback, Tommy DeVito is different this season, audibly different.
"I just feel like he became more vocal," said junior receiver Taj Harris. "He's always been a leader, he's always led by example. But, he's definitely voicing his opinion more and letting us know how he feels."
What You Need To Know
- SU quarterback Tommy DeVito is becoming a more vocal leader this season.
- The junior struggled to find consistency in his first season as a starter when the Orange posted a 5-7 record.
- DeVito is being joined by senior Airon Servais and junior All-American Andre Cisco in the vocal department.
- Syracuse is scheduled to open the season September 12 at North Carolina.
...
Football players feel safe heading to UNC | The NewsHouse (thenewshouse.com; Hertel)
Despite an unconventional offseason, Syracuse football is just two weeks away from kicking off its season against North Carolina, and concerns loom large about the coronavirus pandemic following newly released statistics from Chapel Hill.
UNC reported this week that 31.3 percent of students have tested positive for coronavirus in the first couple weeks of classes. While the campus-wide outbreak caused the school to revert to online-only classes, that’s not stopping the Tar Heels from hosting the Orange on Sept. 12 at the Kenan Memorial Stadium.
SU junior quarterback Tommy DeVito, junior wide receiver Taj Harris and junior defensive back Andre Cisco said Tuesday the SU squad trusts the coaching staff and the athletic department to lead them through the season safely.
“It’s definitely one of our concerns, and it’s been one of our concerns,” said Cisco, who was named to the AP preseason All-American team, regarding traveling safely to North Carolina. “With the amount of tests that they’re doing is where my confidence lies and I would hope that with efficient testing from each school, that we can prevent anything bad from happening when we get down there.”
Football players speak on quad gathering
Investigations continue into the large student gathering on the quad last week, and SU football players are speaking out on behavior that could cost them their season.
“We were not happy to see it,” said senior defensive end Kingsley Jonathan during a video call with reporters.
“When you have a bunch of people coming back on campus, there’s going to be some people who don’t follow the rules,” junior cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu reflected. “I didn’t expect it to happen this early, but I expected it to happen sooner or later.”
...
Syracuse Football: National analyst predicts ‘Cuse for WR Umari Hatcher (itlh; Adler)
Syracuse football has found a groove with its 2021 class, and the next commitment could come from three-star wide receiver Umari Hatcher.
With 18 commitments to date in its 2021 recruiting cycle, Syracuse football is probably heading toward the finish line with this class, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if a pledge potentially arrives in the near future from three-star wide receiver Umari Hatcher.
Brian Dohn, a national analyst with 247Sports who has a stellar success rate in his Crystal Ball projections for that recruiting service, logged a prediction on Wednesday with a high confidence level of eight for the Orange as it pertains to the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Hatcher.
Also on Wednesday, Hatcher tweeted out, “Commitment coming soon!!!” He also appears to have listed six schools with this tweet, and they are Syracuse football, Indiana, Michigan State, Maryland, East Carolina and Liberty, a crew that the ‘Cuse is slated to host from the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Oct. 17.
...
Syracuse Football: Should the Orange have received AP votes? (itlh; Mlodzinski)
The college football preseason AP Top 25 poll has been released ahead of the 2020 season. Syracuse football was not included, but they sure could of.
Syracuse football was ranked 22nd in the 2019 AP Preseason Poll and that didn’t hold up well for the Orange. They finished 5-7 which included some not so fun blowouts. Dino Babers didn’t get the guys around for a nice 2-1 finish. All in all, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
But there is new hope for 2020! The Orange return their signal-caller in Tommy DeVito and have a solid group of veteran offensive linemen. The defense could be shaky, but they do boast on one of the top safeties in the country in Andre Cisco. Overall, the season could go a lot of ways, but there is a good amount of talent, so a .500 finish or above is certainly in the cards.
The 2020 preseason rankings have ACC foe Clemson in the top spot. Other conference members are Notre Dame (yes, we consider them ACC for this season) at 10, and North Carolina at 18. Virginia Tech, Miami, Louisville, Virginia, and Florida State are all receiving votes.
...
Syracuse football players have 'Trust' in 2020. (SI; Payne)
As bad as 2020 has been, nothing has left behind a more loathsome taste than the Orange’s 2019 season. Last year’s 5-7 campaign, marred by injury and woeful offensive line play, fell well short of expectations. So what can Syracuse football fans expect now? The odds are stacked against redemption.
Consider the following:
- An abbreviated and waffling off-season.
- Two new coordinators on offense and defense, attempting to implement scheme over Zoom.
- Ghosted by the NCAA on transfer waivers.
- Blind faith in opponents’ COVID-19 testing protocol.
- Locker room indecisiveness regarding opt outs.
Any one of the above issues or inconsistencies alone would be enough to stifle one’s confidence. Having to overcome all five simultaneously is almost unimaginable. How could anyone possibly hope to conquer all of these obstacles? The answer is simple. "Trust."
Syracuse players Tommy DeVito, Taj Harris, and Andre Cisco met virtually with the media on Tuesday after practice. Their thoughts on 2020 were optimistic, and based on the trust they have for one another.
Where QB Tommy DeVito goes, the Orange will follow. In 2019, DeVito went to the turf more than any other quarterback in a Power 5 conference. The fourth-year slinger needs to be able to stay on his feet in order to take a step forward in 2020.
“There’s a lot of different variables that could take place,” DeVito said, acknowledging the many factors that go into getting sacked. “As far as getting the ball out of my hands quicker: just seeing the defense faster, being able to be on the same page as my receivers, just trusting the whole process and play calls.”
Charged with calling those plays is new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert. A new face and a new system can be daunting, but DeVito believes his teammates were able to rise to the challenge.
“Sometimes, when there’s a new coach coming in, you can get some cold feet, you know, if there's new things flying around,” DeVito said. "But I think that as an offense, we embraced it and we know where we want to be in the end. He’s going to help us get there.”
When asked how confidence in the new offense was built, DeVito responded “Trust.”
...
Former Syracuse Orange DE Alton Robinson Impressing at Seattle Seahawks Camp (SI; Staff)
Alton Robinson burst onto the national scene during a 10-sack 2018 season as he helped Syracuse finish in the top 15 in the final polls with a 10 win season. He followed that up with a solid 2019 season, despite facing constant double and triple teams. That led to the Seattle Seahawks selecting Robinson in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In his first training camp with the Seahawks, Robinson is already impressing head coach Pete Carroll.
"Probably, we’re more excited than we thought we could be at this time this early in camp," Carroll said, via Ben Arthur of SeattlePI. "That’s a real positive."
According to Arthur, Robinson was originally drafted to play the smaller of the two defensive end positions in Seattle's defense. However, with that spot essentially solidified, Robinson has put on some weight in order to provide opportunities at other positions.
"It’s helped him," Carroll said. "He’s a powerful rusher. He already has good finesse and good moves and understands how to play on the edge and all. But you can see him break the edge down some because he’s stronger than some of the faster, sleeker guys that are weighing in the 250s.
"He’s run in the 4.6s. You put the whole package together and he’s done well. He’s done real well. He’s learned well. We have seen him play in a game yet, so we don’t know. But he’s made a really good impression."
...
ACC's "Position U's" 2020 (RX; HM)
ACC's "Position U's" 2020
From ESPN:
Position U 2.0 - Which schools produce the most college football talent at each position?
Plenty of ACC teams make these lists, starting at...
Quarterback U
1. Oklahoma
2. USC
3. Oregon
4. Louisville
5. Texas
6. Florida State
7. Auburn
8. Florida
9. LSU
10. Ohio State
Who's next: Clemson
For the bulk of the time period included in our Position U analysis, Clemson's QB claim to fame was career NFL backup Charlie Whitehurst. But with Deshaun Watson already a superstar, Trevor Lawrence poised to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, and former top recruit D.J. Uiagalelei waiting in the wings, few teams can compete with the Tigers' recent run at the position.
Who's missing: NC State
We're wearing protective gear and entering witness protection to avoid the NC State backlash this time around. Yes, the Wolfpack have the numbers to make their case as QBU with Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, Mike Glennon and Ryan Finley all on NFL rosters. But remember how this formula works. For all of its NFL talent, NC State has never racked up many college awards, with Wilson's lone season as a Heisman contender coming at Wisconsin. Moreover, only Rivers was a high draft choice. Then there's the problem of Wilson's transfer, which awards his NFL success to the final school he played at: Wisconsin. Yes, five future NFL starting QBs made their way through Raleigh during their college careers, but when it comes to identifying QBU -- for NC State, it's complicated.
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Changes to ACC FB Schedule (RX; HM)
Changes to ACC FB Schedule
A number of changes to the ACC football schedule were made Wednesday, among them:
- The NC State @ Virginia Tech game was moved from opening week (9/12) to 9/26/20.
- Wake Forest scheduled a non-conference game with Campbell (FCS) for Friday, 10/9/20.
- Pitt also scheduled an out-of-conference opponent - Austin Peay - for opening week, 9/12/20.
Who still needs an 11th game?
- Boston College (Open Dates: 9/12, 9/26, 11/21)
- Notre Dame (Open Dates: 9/19, 10/3, 11/21)
- Virginia (Open Dates: 9/12, 9/26, 11/21)
BC and Virginia also play - on 12/5 - but that's the final week. If those two did decide to move their game, they have common open dates on 9/12, 9/26 and 11/21. This would only come into play if one or both teams finds a non-conference opponent for December 5th.
What about the hole created by the NC State/Virginia Tech game on 9/12? The Hokies play both BC (10/17) and Virginia (9/19), with open dates now on 9/12 and 11/28. So if BC can find an ooc game on 10/17, the BC/VT game could be moved. On the other hand, if UVA finds a non-conference opponent for 9/19 they could simply move the Commonwealth Cup up one week.
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Notre Dame Football: Report suggests more annual ACC games to come (fihtingirishwire.com; Shepkowski)
If you’ve followed us at Fighting Irish Wire at pretty much any point over the last year or so you’re aware that we refer to Notre Dame’s football relationship with the ACC as a “friends with benefits” situation.
Notre Dame gets six games annually but keeps their independence while the ACC gets Notre Dame on the schedule for six of their teams each year. The Irish then belong to the conference for every other sport the rest of the year.
Both Notre Dame and ACC have a football fling, but neither appear racing to change their Facebook relationship statuses, either.
According to a report from SI’s Wolverine Digest, Notre Dame staying at six games with the ACC when things return to normal, might not be a given.
From the Wolverine Digest report:
“Notre Dame really wanted to play and was willing to enter into an agreement that could lead to something down the road … at the very least, more games every year against ACC teams,” an insider shared. “They’re adamance about playing was the ace-in-the-hole a group, led by Clemson, needed to really push for a season and turn the tide in favor of ignoring the Big Ten.
“I mean, if Notre Dame, with their academic reputation and their national brand, was willing to go forward … it sort of just sealed the ACC’s fate.”
– Wolverine Digest Staff Report 8/26/2020
There isn’t clarification as to whether that means simply adding a seventh ACC game to Notre Dame’s schedule soon or if it means that Notre Dame has promised to join the conference as a full-time member down the road.
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How ACC football teams have prevented the spread of coronavirus within their programs (postguam.com; Pope IV)
While COVID-19 continues to spread on some college campuses, ACC football teams have somehow found a way to keep the coronavirus under control in their locker rooms.
The spread of COVID-19 has reshaped the fall, with conferences like the Big Ten and Pac-12 postponing fall sports and schools like N.C. State and North Carolina going to all online classes due to clusters among students and employees.
But in football facilities from Boston to Florida, things appear to be about as under control as they can be. Although some ACC programs — like Clemson and North Carolina — had outbreaks early this summer, since then teams have found a way to stave off coronavirus.
Since July 24, four ACC schools — Boston College, Louisville, Virginia and Miami — have reported zero cases with their football programs. Two more schools — Georgia Tech (3) and Syracuse (5) — have reported five positive tests or less. And no ACC school that has reported its numbers (Wake Forest and Virginia Tech have not) has reported cases in the double digits.
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Predicting every ACC team’s first loss this season (247sports.com Crawford)
Dabo Swinney wants to play this season. Every coach in the ACC wants to play this season. And with league commissioner John Swofford taking similar steps the SEC and Big 12 have taken to ensure safety protocols are at the maximum and players are tested on a regular basis, college football is happening.
Swinney, who is trying for his third national championship in five years this fall, is behind the ACC's decision to push forward and said recently after practice he is encouraged by an attempted return to somewhat normalcy this fall.
"It still comes down to everyone's personal responsibility to protect themselves and to protect other people. So I think just everybody has to sacrifice," Swinney said. "We're going to get through this. This isn't for the rest of our lives. We will get through this. But we need to get back to school, back to football and everything we can as safe as possible.
"So just having respect for the protocols and understanding what close contact is, and if you can't have social distancing, making sure you have your mask on and protecting yourself and protecting others, keeping your hands clean."
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Other
Yikes! Northern snakehead, a toothy, invasive fish species, caught in Upper Delaware River (PS; $; Figura)
The state Department is asking anglers in the Upper Delaware River to be on the lookout for northern snakeheads following the catching of one recently by an angler in the Callicoon area of the river.
The toothy, invasive fish, native to Southeast Asia, are listed federally as “injurious wildlife,” and New York law prohibits their live possession. Given the right conditions, DEC said, this fish can prey on and compete with other fish, upsetting the natural balance of local ecosystems.
The Upper Delaware is currently ranked among the top trout-fishing waterways in the country.
“Any snakehead caught should be killed immediately and not released back into the water,” said Basil Seggos, commissioner of the DEC.
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