Game week...

[Orangepace]

After all the Ray Rice and PSU drama yesterday, it's time to focus back on CMU. This will be the first pivotal point for the season as the SU fanbase doesn't know what to think about this team after that 'Nova debacle. In order for my confidence to pick up, here are the things I think SU needs to demonstrate on Saturday:

• Need to see the OL gain form and start to gel. Coming into the season, I thought the OL was one of our best returning units, however, they were consistently blown off the ball in the 2nd half by undersized opponents.
  
• Need to see our DL/OLBs demoralize their QB. Rush did not have a great game against Purdue and I believe the SU front 7 is significantly better than that of Purdue's.
  
• Need to see Hunt take ownership of the offense. His mistake against 'Nova will continue to haunt him this year and I believe the more success he has, the more prevalent the questions will be later in the season. No better way to demonstrate that he owned up to the mistake than to put up a dominating performance against CMU and Maryland.
  
• Need to see that the SU coaching staff can adequately gameplan and adjust at halftime. The jury is still out on this.

I think SU wins this game 38-17. In response to the above, I think we see Hunt pass/rush for 230/70. I think we see the OL start to gel in the second half and the running game picks up dramatically. I think the defense gets to the QB often this game with 5-6 sacks and causing 2+ turnovers.

Edit: Forgot to add... Steve Ishmael ends up with 4 catches for 64 yards and his first TD.

 

[OrangeMojo]

CMU is the type of offense that the SU defense should be very effective against. Their QB looked really slow against PU (snicker) - really no threat to run. Blitzes should be much more effective in this game and hopefully the DC can scheme a way to stop the power running game CMU showed in the 2nd half last week.

 

[cusefan12]

I am really hoping the offense starts to pick it up. I want some steady drives, and when we get to the 1 yard line I want to be able to punch it in!

 

[Doctor44]

I'm getting really sick and frustrated of mediocre football. Just show up, play hard and have a logical game plan. I'm really frustrated right now with how far we are from a top 25 team.

 

[HeaterCuse22]

Nate Mink‏@MinkNate 1h
Changes to Syracuse depth chart this wk: Palmer 1st LG, Broyld 1st HB, Ishmael 1st WR, Thompson 1st DT, Winfield (4th CB), Robinson (2nd RG)
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[Upstate]

I think we saw something in the Nova game that has been overlooked. Robertson (that was his name, right?) killed SU on the ground, but it was stemming from some really good edge penetration. CMU's QB doesn't look to be half the athlete that Nova had at that position, and Ron Thompson looked very fluid out there. I expect him to get a few sacks. Hopefully Crume can clog the middle; he'll be needed with CMU's bruiser. I like the matchup on D and for SU's O to get moving.

TH - 175yds, 1TD Passing. 70yds, 1 TD rushing
GMII - 55yds, 7car 1TD
Ishmael 4cats, 60yds, 1TD
PTG, 13car, 85yds
AAM, 5car, 25yds, 1TD

Hoping for a few forced TOs, too. And one big ST play.

SU 28 CMU 14

 

[OrangeMojo]

I think we saw something in the Nova game that has been overlooked. Robertson (that was his name, right?) killed SU on the ground, but it was stemming from some really good edge penetration. CMU's QB doesn't look to be half the athlete that Nova had at that position, and Ron Thompson looked very fluid out there. I expect him to get a few sacks. Hopefully Crume can clog the middle; he'll be needed with CMU's bruiser. I like the matchup on D and for SU's O to get moving.

TH - 175yds, 1TD Passing. 70yds, 1 TD rushing
GMII - 55yds, 7car 1TD
Ishmael 4cats, 60yds, 1TD
PTG, 13car, 85yds
AAM, 5car, 25yds, 1TD

Hoping for a few forced TOs, too. And one big ST play.

SU 28 CMU 14

Crume and Thompson both Michigan men looking to have a big day in their home state - have to protect bragging rights!

 

[Orangepace]

Nate Mink‏@MinkNate 1h
Changes to Syracuse depth chart this wk: Broyld 1st HB, Winfield (4th CB)

These two worry me a little. Assuming HB means H-Back, I wonder what's going on with Brisly. Winfield being the 4th best CB we have is frightening because he moved late in Fall practice. I'm sure he has the talent to be a good corner, but I'm more worried about him being out of position. It's not easy to learn appropriate positioning that quickly.

 

[HeaterCuse22]

These two worry me a little. Assuming HB means H-Back, I wonder what's going on with Brisly. Winfield being the 4th best CB we have is frightening because he moved late in Fall practice. I'm sure he has the talent to be a good corner, but I'm more worried about him being out of position. It's not easy to learn appropriate positioning that quickly.

My guess - Bris ankle is still a bit sore. Winfield rising may be a motivational tactic as well, but the kid is tremendously athletic and likely played some D in HS just a couple years back

 

[upperdeck]

I think the Dline played much better than people realized because the Vill QB made plays. Only a handful of running plays actually worked by design and he had little time to throw that wasn't from a roll out or scramble. The lack of 3-outs and punts was disheartening , but give him some credit for getting out of troubles. If the tackling had been just a bit better they dont score at all since every single drive had multiple series extended by that QB. Thats not going to happen every series again. If i does then we are in for a long year.

 

[storange]

I think the Dline played much better than people realized because the Vill QB made plays. Only a handful of running plays actually worked by design and he had little time to throw that wasn't from a roll out or scramble. The lack of 3-outs and punts was disheartening , but give him some credit for getting out of troubles. If the tackling had been just a bit better they dont score at all since every single drive had multiple series extended by that QB. Thats not going to happen every series again. If i does then we are in for a long year.

Agree, The defensive scheme often was there particularly in the second half but the QB often fought for two or there yards after the first hit. Allowing Nova to keep drives alive.

 

[AAM62]

I am praying that moving ron thompson to DT against a power run team is a motivational tactic to get coleman/sloan/williams going. No way he should be inside on 1st or 2nd downs.