sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Fibbonacci Day!
November 23—or 11/23—is the date of Fibonacci Day because the first series of numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are 1, 1, 2, and 3. The sequence is created by adding the previous two numbers to get the third number, so it begins as follows: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, and 144. Commonly studied in high school and college classes, it can be described with the mathematical equation Xn+2 = Xn+1 + Xn.
The Fibonacci sequence can be visualized by viewing a logarithmic spiral called the Fibonacci spiral. The spiral is made by using tiling squares with consecutive Fibonacci numbers, where an arc is drawn connecting the opposite corners of each tile and then into the next tile. The numbers of the Fibonacci sequence approximate the golden ratio, an irrational number that goes to infinity, and the Fibonacci spiral approximates the golden spiral.
SU News
Ten Ways to Spark the Syracuse Offense (SI; McAllister)
It is no secret that the Syracuse offense has been bad this season. Syracuse is averaging just 16.2 points per game and 249.7 yards. For a head coach that is known for offense, this is subpar to say the least. There are factors for this that should be considered. The offensive line has been riddled by injuries including starters who are not close to one hundred percent. Syracuse is starting who they expected to be their fourth running back. They are down to their third quarterback.
That said, what can Syracuse do in order to try to spark some better offensive play for the last two games? Here are some options.
1. Rely on the rushing attack
The Syracuse offense is only averaging three yards per carry on the season, but that number is a bit misleading. Included in that average are the 35 times Syracuse quarterbacks have been sacked for a total loss of 205 yards. If you take those away, Syracuse is averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Sean Tucker is averaging over five yards per tote. With the struggles of the passing attack and in pass protection, rely on the running game. Have that become the focal point of the offense. And that means more than just more handoffs. That means a variable rushing attack with zone-read, draws, off tackle, sweeps, zone blocking schemes on outside and inside runs, etc. Counter off of plays that you run more often to take advantage of defenses leaning a certain way. A varied and more voluminous rushing attack could help set up shorter third downs and keep drives alive.
2. Use more tempo
We have not seen much tempo this season, but it has worked when they've used it. A lot of this has to do with success, or lack thereof, on the first plays of drives. However, given the circumstances, Syracuse should force tempo regardless. It makes the quarterback more comfortable. It allows the offense to get into a rhythm. It keeps defenses on their heels. And you can do this while incorporating number one. Few teams that go tempo do so with a rushing attack. It would unorthodox, progressive, unexpected. And it just might work.
3. Open up the playbook
The play calling for Syracuse this year has lacked imagination for most of the season. There have been a rare occurrence, but largely it has not been there. Yes the struggles of the offensive line and playing backup quarterbacks play a part in that, but at this point what do you have to lose? Where are the creative plays such as a running back pass we used to see with Dontae Strickland? Where are the reverses? Where are the trick plays? No you cannot rely on trick plays for sustained offense, but you can break one or two out per game to provide a spark. There is no reason not to at this point. Running the same short and intermediate hooks and slants is not working.
4. Take some shots down field
When Tommy DeVito, and even Rex Culpepper, were at quarterback, Syracuse took deep shots at least a few times per game. Since Jacobian Morgan has become the guy, that has stopped. It needs to come back. It puts pressure on the opposing defense, doesn't allow them to sit on the short routes and provides a potential for a big play.
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Syracuse football opens as double-digit underdog versus NC State (247sports.com; Bailey)
Syracuse football opened as a 14.5-point underdog against North Carolina State when William Hill posted its betting lines on Sunday. The Orange (1-8, 1-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) will host the Wolfpack (6-3, 5-3) in the Carrier Dome on Saturday at noon.
SU is coming off a 30-0 loss at Louisville Friday night, its first shutout defeat against a sub-.500 opponent since 1974. The team's offense has ground to a halt two games from the end of a dismal 2020 season, scoring just one touchdown over the last two contests. Against the Cardinals, Syracuse logged just 137 yards on 41 plays and converted its lone third down of the evening on the final play of the game.
The Orange recorded seven total first downs and possessed the ball for only 18:14 -- significantly less than the team's 24-minute average, which came into the weekend tied for worst nationally. And after entering the contest with 14 turnovers on the year -- a total only exceeded by a dozen teams -- SU committed three more in Kentucky.
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Monday Musings: Syracuse Commit Set to Enroll Early (SI; McAllister)
1. One of Syracuse's most high profile commits in the 2021 class is Duce Chestnut, a defensive back out of Camden High School in New Jersey. Chestnut's Camden squad had their season cancelled prior to their playoff game this past week due to the coronavirus pandemic. That is tough for anyone to handle, but Chestnut says he is taking it in stride.
"Good," Chestnut said on how he's handling the cancellation. "Just getting ready for Cuse in January."
Indeed Chestnut is enrolling early at Syracuse, which will give him extra time to learn the 3-3-5 in order to be ready for the 2021 season. Andre Cisco did the same thing, and earned a starting spot before becoming a freshman All-American.
2. Syracuse running back commit Josh Hough's season came to an end in the Pennsylvania state semifinals. His Beaver Falls squad lost 20-18 in a highly competitive game. Hough played the final two plus quarters after suffering a separated shoulder that caused excruciating pain. The two point loss was largely due to the failure of Beaver Falls to convert an extra point or two point conversion. Wilmington made theirs, Beaver Falls did not. Hough finished his high school career with 4,378 yards, a new school record.
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Axe: Can Dino Babers still save Syracuse football? (PS; $; Axe)
Let’s go back to December 7, 2015.
Dino Babers electrified all with his famous “close your eyes” speech after being introduced as the new head football coach at Syracuse.
The flash points starting coming shortly after that.
Syracuse upset Virginia Tech in 2016, leading to another epic speech from Babers.
“They didn’t know! It’s not their fault!”
Syracuse’s epic win over No. 2 Clemson followed in 2017.
Another big win brought on another big speech.
“What about that loud house tonight? All we saw was a sea of orange. Orange waves. All Orange!”
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Syracuse football has interest in Miss. State QB transfer Garrett Shrader (itlh; Adler)
Garrett Shrader, a recruiting name from the past, is possibly back on the radar of Syracuse football.
Last month, Mississippi State quarterback Garrett Shrader said via Twitter that he would enter into the transfer portal, and it seems that Syracuse football is potentially in the mix for him now.
Shrader, a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining, reportedly has an interest in the Orange, and the feeling is mutual among ‘Cuse coaches, according to several media articles that I’ve read on the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Shrader.
Per a tweet by 247Sports’ Stephen Bailey, Shrader appears high on Syracuse football and three other collegiate teams. As a freshman at Mississippi State, he played in 10 games and started four of them, throwing for 1,170 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 587 yards and six scores.
In the 2020 campaign, he was moved to wide receiver but wants to suit up at quarterback for the rest of his college career. Shrader has his junior and senior campaigns to go, plus the NCAA has granted all student-athletes in fall sports, such as football, an extra year of competition due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
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Syracuse LB Stefon Thompson breaks out (PFF grades, snap counts) (247sports.com; $; Bailey)
Syracuse football freshman linebacker Stefon Thompson looked like a top performer on Friday and Pro Football Focus's grade represents...
Blocked FG helps NC State hold off No. 21 Liberty 15-14 (wlos.com; Beard)
For the second time this season, No. 21 Liberty found itself lining up for a late field goal to beat an Atlantic Coast Conference team on the road.
Only this time, Vi Jones and North Carolina State came up with the play to end the Flames' perfect season.
Jones blocked Alex Barbir's 39-yard field goal attempt with 1:18 left to help the Wolfpack beat Liberty 15-14 on Saturday night, handing the Flames their first loss of the year.
It was a fitting finish for the Wolfpack (6-3), whose surging offense sputtered much of the night while the defense and special teams came through with big plays — particularly in the fourth quarter.
"Everything that's come at them, they've responded," Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. "People have doubted this football team all year. For us to now sit here with six wins and two (top-25 wins) says a lot about them."
Liberty (8-1) was trying to earn a third victory against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent this year, all on the road. The Flames had their shot to extend the best start in program history, too, putting together a drive to give Barbir — who had kicked a 51-yard field goal to beat Virginia Tech earlier this season — a shot at the lead.
This time, it didn't work.
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The 2022 recruits to know in the state of Florida (247sports.com; Lake)
The early signing period for the 2021 recruiting class is less than a month away.
The Miami Hurricanes currently own the No. 13 class in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. UM's class features two five-star commits in safety James Williams and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor.
With the majority of UM's 2021 class set to make things official by signing in December, that means it is time to start looking ahead to the 2022 class as the Miami Hurricanes look to continue to stack talented classes year after year.
Just like every year, the state of Florida--and especially South Florida--is loaded with talent in the 2022 cycle.
This article looks to highlight some of the early names to know in the Sunshine State for next year's 2022 class.
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RYAN TURNER
(Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)
School: Chaminade-Madonna Prep
Position: Cornerback
Size: 6-0, 180
247Sports Recruiting Ranking: Three-stars, 86 rating
247Sports State of Florida Ranking: No. 86
Other Offers To Know: Penn State and Syracuse
Turner is the type of local cover corner the Hurricanes need to recruit. Turner has a good feel in coverage and will come up and be a physical tackler in space. Turner will be one of the top corners in South Florida next cycle and is the type of player UM needs to be in the mix for.
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ACC Football 2020, Week 12 (11/21/20) (cardiachill.com; HM)
Here’s your overview of scores with commentary for this week’s ACC football action...
Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2020
Early Games
#4 Clemson Tigers 0 at Florida State Seminoles 0
POSTPONED
Next up for Clemson: Pitt
Next up for Florida State: Virginia
__________
Mid-Afternoon Games
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 0 at Duke Blue Devils 0
CANCELED
Next up for Wake: BYE
Next up for Duke: at Georgia Tech
__________
Virginia Tech Hokies 14 at Pittsburgh Panthers 47
Finally, a game that was actually played. Well, one team played the second half, at least. The first half was close, but the Panthers dominated the second half. The Hokies were unable to stop the passing of Kenny Picket, and the Panthers defense stopped the Virginia Tech offense on all three of the Hokies fourth down attempts to seal the victory.
Next up for Pitt: at Clemson
Next up for Virginia Tech: BYE
__________
Abilene Christian 15 at Virginia Cavaliers 55
It was an FCS oponent, so we shouldn’t read too much into the Cavaliers win other than it was a nice tune-up game.
Next up for Virginia: at Florida State
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2020 Rivalry Week will look much different (RX; HM)
2020 Rivalry Week will look much different
It's "Rivalry Week", but it sure doesn't feel like it without Florida-Florida State, Georgia Tech-Georgia, South Carolina-Clemson, and Kentucky-Louisville. This year we don't even get Virginia-Virginia Tech or NC State-UNC this week.
So what games do we get?
ACC Announces Game Times & Networks for Nov. 28th
The Atlantic Coast Conference and its television partners announced the following football game times* and networks for the games of November 27th-28th.
Friday, Nov. 27
Notre Dame at N. Carolina, 3:30 p.m., ABCSaturday, Nov. 28
NC State at Syracuse, Noon, ACC Network
Pitt at Clemson, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Louisville at Boston College, 4 p.m., ACC Network
Duke at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m., RSN
Virginia at Florida State, 8 p.m., ACC Network
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Turkey Trend 2004-20 (RX; HM)
Turkey Trend 2004-20
In my opinion, Pitt demonstrated the problem for Virginia Tech in very clear terms: lack of talent. The Hokies didn't have the defensive backfield talent to cover the Panthers' receivers. They didn't have enough talent on the defensive line to consistently pressure the quarterback, either. On offense, the Hokies' WRs couldn't get open on short routes, nor did they have the speed to get behind Pitt defenders.
With just two games left in the regular season, Pitt is now 5-4, while VT falls to 4-5. Both teams must face Clemson as their next opponent (Pitt first, then VT), so figure the Panthers will go into the final week 5-5 while the Hokies will sit at 4-6 with no shot at a winning record (and needing to both beat UVA and win a bowl game just to finish at .500).
What happened, Hokies? I found this video which addresses that question...
The Downfall of Virginia Tech Hokies Football
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Biggest Losers, Week 12 (RX; HM)
Biggest Losers, Week 12
Welcome to Week 12 of the 2020 college football season, when the Coronavirus COVID-19 took down more ranked teams than all other opponents combined...
Who helped the ACC by losing?
#9 Indiana lost at #3 Ohio State by a TD, 35-42
#10 Wisconsin lost by 10 at #19 Northwestern, 7-17
#14 Oklahoma State was whipped by #18 Oklahoma, 13-41
#21 Liberty lost by a point at NC State, 14-15
Close calls
#7 Cincinnati escaped UCF with a 3-point win, 36-33
#11 Oregon got by UCLA at home by the same margin, 38-35
#13 Georgia broke a 4th quarter tie to edge Miss. State at home, 31-24
#15 Coastal Carolina needed a 2nd half comeback to beat App. State for the first time, 34-23
#25 Tulsa needed double-overtime to prevail over Tulane 30-24
Did not play due to the pandemic
#4 Clemson
#5 Texas A&M
#12 Miami
#15 Marshall
#22 Texas
#24 Louisiana
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AP Poll Analysis - 11/22/20 (RX; HM)
AP Poll Analysis - 11/22/20
Here is the latest AP Poll after the games of 2020 college football week 12:
| AP Top 25 | |
| RK | TEAM |
| 1 | Alabama(62) |
| 2 | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Ohio State |
| 4 | Clemson |
| 5 | Texas A&M |
| 6 | Florida |
| 7 | Cincinnati |
| 8 | BYU |
| 9 | Oregon |
| 10 | Miami |
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The Offense: Notre Dame’s Saturday Superlatives…So Far (247sports.com; O'Malley)
Drive MVPs
A subjective measurement created by Irish Illustrated for the 2017 season that denotes the most important players (often multiple, not always) on every offensive drive.
- *None 24
- Ian Book 21
- Liam Eichenberg 19
- Aaron Banks 19
- Kyren Williams 17
- Jarrett Patterson 16
- Tommy Kraemer 15
- Robert Hainsey 15
- Tommy Tremble 14
- Jon Doerer 11
- Jay Bramblett 9
- Javon McKinley 9
- C’Bo Flemister 9
- Avery Davis 6
- Ben Skowronek 6
- Michael Mayer 6
- Chris Tyree 5
- Brock Wright 4
- Braden Lenzy 3
- Jahmir Smith, Jafar Armstrong, Dillan Gibbons, Joe Wilkins 2 apiece
- Isaiah Pryor 1 (Punt coverage)
- Jack Lamb 1 (Punt coverage)
- Brian Polian 1
- Entire #2 OL 1
- *None denotes that it wasn’t a successful drive, nor was field position flipped in a notable manner. There were 38 such drives in 2019 and 44 in 2018. (The 2018 team finished against national champion Clemson while the ’19 squad played Iowa State…so…)
- Regarding Bramblett: The punter’s 9 Drive MVP’s denote one sneak on 4th down vs. Duke and 8 notable punts. It’s worth mentioning that Bramblett was credited with a whopping 25 notable (field position relevant) punts last season. That placed him #2 on the offense in Drive MVPs ahead of everyone save for Ian Book (31) and Chase Claypool (28) with his 25 Drive MVP nominations.
All rankings below are per the Pro Football Focus (PFF) proprietary ranking system.
- RT Robert Hainsey: PFF notes Hainsey as the nation’s 4th-ranked offensive tackle (and 4th-ranked run-blocking tackle)
- LT Liam Eichenberg: PFF ranks Eichenberg 9th among tackles as well as the 9th-most effective run-blocker.
- *RB C’Bo Flemister: Of note, forthcoming North Carolina foe Javonte Williams ranks first nationally in this category.
- LG Aaron Banks: Per PFF, Banks has not allowed a sack and yielded a OL low 5 pressures this season.
- C Jarrett Patterson: The junior’s season ended as the nation’s 6th-ranked run-blocking center. Patterson allowed nine pressures and no sacks.
- RG Tommy Kraemer: Out this week and probably for the Senior Day matchup against Syracuse, Kraemer graded fifth as a run blocker but third as a pass protector among the starting quintet. He’s allowed two sacks (most among the five) but just seven pressures—the second-lowest total.
Pitt-Virginia Tech observations: Mark Whipple's Picasso, Damar Hamlin's goodbye and more (P-G, McGonigal)
It didn’t end in a touchdown, but Pitt’s opening drive painted the picture for how Mark Whipple wanted to pick apart Virginia Tech.
Kenny Pickett threw the ball eight times on the Panthers’ 11-play field goal drive to kick off Saturday’s eventual 47-14 win. On Pickett’s eight passing attempts, his average snap-to-release time was unofficially 2.24 seconds. For context, Ben Roethlisberger’s 2.31-second average time to throw is the quickest in the NFL, per NextGen Stats.
Those darts by Pickett — a few bubble screens to wide receiver DJ Turner, another one to running back Vincent Davis — sparked a rhythm Pitt would ride to its best offensive performance of the Whipple era.
Which, to be fair, has been underwhelming. Prior to Saturday, Pitt’s offense averaged 21.7 points in its last 15 ACC games. But for all the justified criticism Whipple has received this season, credit is due for the masterclass in preparation and play-calling he impressed upon the Hokies.
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Luicci's College Football Plus: Week 12 Recap (SI; Luicci)
Five questions
Q. What can we expect when the first College Football Playoff rankings are released Tuesday night?
There’s a difference between what should happen and what will happen. Alabama and Notre Dame are the clear-cut Nos. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Ohio State will probably be No 3 despite a sloppy home win over Indiana – though the Hoosiers were ranked No. 9 at the time. Give the Buckeyes credit for a Top 10 win regardless of what it looked like, but their regular season schedule before and after Indiana leaves a lot to be desired. It’s really not much tougher than BYU’s oft-criticized schedule.
Expect Clemson to check in at No. 4 with just one quality win (Miami), with the Tigers needing to win the likely rematch against Notre Dame in the ACC championship game to reach the playoffs again. Unlike the teams chasing them for a playoff spot, they control their fate.
After that? Texas A&M, Florida, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Indiana and either Miami or BYU should round out the Top 10 in some fashion.
Q. What in the name of Johnny Carson is going on at Nebraska?
If you caught any of the Illinois-Nebraska game on Saturday – no judgment if you didn’t – you might have wondered if the teams had switched uniforms before the opening kickoff. The Illini were dominant at times with the Cornhuskers looking disjointed, sloppy and – yes, we’re going to say it – poorly coached. Former Huskers QB Scott Frost, a disaster in his return as the coach at his alma mater, used the words “embarrassed” and “lackadaisical” to describe his team’s performance.
Illinois had been averaging 17 points a game. The Illini exited Memorial Stadium with the most points scored against a conference opponent in 10 years in a 41-23 victory.
Frost is now 10-18 in Year 3 in Lincoln and is on track to become the first Nebraska coach to suffer three straight losing since Bill Jennings from 1957-59. He can’t make up his mind at quarterback, doesn’t have a reliable running back (imagine saying that about Nebraska almost any other time over the previous 50 years) and looks overmatched as a coach. The 1-3 Cornhuskers, the Big Ten’s most outspoken school about playing this year, have Iowa, Purdue and Minnesota left and are probably grateful that a game with Wisconsin was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.
One more thing to put Illinois’ win in perspective in conjunction with Nebraska’s failings: The Illini last won in Lincoln in 1924 with a guy named Red Grange on the roster.
Q. Thoughts on Cincinnati’s playoff worthiness following its less-than-impressive 36-33 victory at Central Florida?
The Bearcats did what they had to do to get to 8-0. But given the big stage of national TV against a respectable opponent on the road, they didn’t do much to sway those still undecided about their playoff worthiness, clinging to a 36-33 lead with 4:27 to play. This is a UCF team that has now lost more conference games (three) this year than the past three season combined.
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Other
Syracuse seafood restaurant opens new location in DeWitt (PS; Cazentre)
If you ask Mondo Ramadan whether Central New York needs another restaurant serving big seafood platters, he has a quick answer.
“We have a million places to have pizza or a burger,” he said. “Until recently, we had nothing like this in Syracuse. And it can be healthy. So yes, there’s room for more, if it’s good.”
Ramadan last week opened the second location of his Cuse Catch & Grill seafood restaurant in the DeWitt Plaza on Erie Boulevard E. The first Cuse Catch & Grill opened in 2019 at 201 Wolf St. on Syracuse’s North Side.
They join such places as Storming Crab, also on Erie Boulevard, and Boil It, on Old Liverpool Road, both of which opened in 2018. Another restaurant, Seafood Harbor, is coming soon to space within the Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse on Old Liverpool Road.
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