The offense has been a concern all season

[FRANKIEFAN]

You’re worried about our receivers next year? Toogie (4 Star transfer from MSU) Taj Harris with another year of experience, Nykeim Johnson, Senior Sean Riley, and Ed Hendrix... Not worried about that group in the least. Taj Harris is a freshman who played QB in high school, mistakes are gonna be there. It’s just pretty obvious watching him play the sky is the limit, and if anybody can get a WR to their full potential it’s Dino Babers. Stop killing the kid for being a freshman.

He weighs less than the 2 short guys and probably has a frame that can't add weight. Those 3 will be the only ones with experience. Good route runner. If we get a star (Jackson or some other transfer) we'll be fine but its a concern we need a bigger guy to step up. Dino will make a good WR great and an average one good. But I'm a little worried. People act like Custis will be an easy guy to replace because they expect more from him but I'm not so sure. That was the worst weekend of my life he needed to at least catch that ball that turned into a pick.

 

[SUbear]

He weighs less than the 2 short guys and probably has a frame that can't add weight. Those 3 will be the only ones with experience. Good route runner. If we get a star (Jackson or some other transfer) we'll be fine but its a concern we need a bigger guy to step up. Dino will make a good WR great and an average one good. But I'm a little worried. People act like Custis will be an easy guy to replace because they expect more from him but I'm not so sure. That was the worst weekend of my life he needed to at least catch that ball that turned into a pick.

You are right he should have, and in future he will, but as a frosh this is what happens. We have had wrs that never got on the field as frosh who became stars later on. Cut Harris a little slack, he will be fine.

 

[TheHaze315]

He weighs less than the 2 short guys and probably has a frame that can't add weight. Those 3 will be the only ones with experience. Good route runner. If we get a star (Jackson or some other transfer) we'll be fine but its a concern we need a bigger guy to step up. Dino will make a good WR great and an average one good. But I'm a little worried. People act like Custis will be an easy guy to replace because they expect more from him but I'm not so sure. That was the worst weekend of my life he needed to at least catch that ball that turned into a pick.

Nah he actually has a really nice frame to add weight to, he’s 6’2 and pretty long. And considering we have some of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country, I’m sure they’ll get him right. I think you’re putting too much stock into losing Custis, don’t get me wrong he’s a great target, but you don’t need to be 6’5 to win the 50/50 ball and truly that’s all he’s good for considering he’s a below average route runner. Ish was only 6’3 but he’d consistently go up and get it. I love what we have at receiver personally.

 

[kcsu]

Hendrix and Jackson both have the potential to be better than Harris who is very good. We should be set at WR next year.

 

[SoBristol]

Add Queeley to the mix. He and Hendrix were both impressive in August (per reports) and both are red-shirting with injuries.

The issue for 2019 is Tommy Devito. So far, his completion rate is barely 50%, he is a net negative in rushing. He throws a pretty pass - and maybe it comes together with what we will have at RB. We will get a good look against BC and in the bowl.

 

[elimunelson]

Add Queeley to the mix. He and Hendrix were both impressive in August (per reports) and both are red-shirting with injuries.

The issue for 2019 is Tommy Devito. So far, his completion rate is barely 50%, he is a net negative in rushing. He throws a pretty pass - and maybe it comes together with what we will have at RB. We will get a good look against BC and in the bowl.

I think, for me, the least concerning thing is Tommy Devito. I don't look at anything but the arm strength at this point. He's been thrown into some of the worst situations and has passed each test. If anyone thought he was gonna enter the ND game and throw for 300 yards is foolish.

this kid has an NFL arm. If he has an NFL brain, he'll play on Sundays. I think this year was the best thing possible for a college football 101 frosh schedule.

We're more than ok at the qb position in 2019 and beyond

 

[TheCusian]

I mean he never catches the ball in traffic and really hurt the team yesterday on a couple plays. We'll see. I'm pretty worried about our WRs next year. Need the MSU kid to be good or someone else to step up. Custis isn't as good as Amba or Steve but his leaving might create a similar hole since hes so big. Our WRs are why we got blown out. Noone could make a play for Tommy when he came in for Eric on perfectly thrown balls. Harris literally handed a perfect pass to a safety. They are fine against lesser competition.

I'd look around for a grad transfer. Who wouldn't want to play in a Dome for our coach with Tommy throwing them the ball?

Lol. He’s a true freshman. He’s got room to grow and he will.

We have a stud transfer set to be our #1 next season.

He weighs less than the 2 short guys and probably has a frame that can't add weight. Those 3 will be the only ones with experience. Good route runner. If we get a star (Jackson or some other transfer) we'll be fine but its a concern we need a bigger guy to step up. Dino will make a good WR great and an average one good. But I'm a little worried. People act like Custis will be an easy guy to replace because they expect more from him but I'm not so sure. That was the worst weekend of my life he needed to at least catch that ball that turned into a pick.

“People act like Custis will be an easy guy to replace” sounds similar to the last two offseasons with Etta-Tawo and Ishmael. Harris is *clearly* going to be a guy who puts up a 1000 TD season in his career. Jackson comes in with more talent and skill than Etta-Tawo.

There are other position groups to worry about.

 

[SmilinBob]

Add Queeley to the mix. He and Hendrix were both impressive in August (per reports) and both are red-shirting with injuries.

The issue for 2019 is Tommy Devito. So far, his completion rate is barely 50%, he is a net negative in rushing. He throws a pretty pass - and maybe it comes together with what we will have at RB. We will get a good look against BC and in the bowl.

I think TD just has to make the D pay for any open lanes when passing...in other words take off when he has an obvious opening. What I like about him is that he stays in the pocket and gives the receivers time to get open and not too many other QB's in the country have ED's running ability so in other words that might be something that was just an anomaly having a QB that runs (cuts/power) like that.

This offense needs a tall strong TE with good hands. Is there one on the team...probably maybe? These are the guys QB's go to when there is a blitz and a 3rd and 5 or so situation. I know that Jackson and Hendrix are tall so maybe that will help but good hands are so needed to go with that size.

I'm excited to see how this team plays vs BC and the Bowl Game and what tweeks Babers and Staff will make.

 

[SmilinBob]

Another point. I think SU's O played into ND's hands by going slower. ND is playing X D and SU slowed down...called a play and then ND went to Y D. I think the O will learn from this and instead of always seeing what they are playing go fast and go toe to toe with that. Now granted, ND had the players to do this and there is a reason why they are undefeated but I think this was a great lesson for Lynch/ED/TD and the O as they move forward this year and TD/CA next year along with Welch.

 

[SoBristol]

I think, for me, the least concerning thing is Tommy Devito. I don't look at anything but the arm strength at this point. He's been thrown into some of the worst situations and has passed each test. If anyone thought he was gonna enter the ND game and throw for 300 yards is foolish.

this kid has an NFL arm. If he has an NFL brain, he'll play on Sundays. I think this year was the best thing possible for a college football 101 frosh schedule.

We're more than ok at the qb position in 2019 and beyond

We should be improved at RB, WR, maybe can replace TE because Pierce has not been used other than as a blocker. We have interior linemen returning, and need to replace both OTs.
I see DeVito as our main 2019 issue (defense has a lot of talent returning). He takes a lot of sacks, does not scramble, or move the chains with his feet. He was exceptional against NC in a few series when he got quick strikes on deep throws, and good in relief against FSU. Not good against WMU in 4or 5 series, and ND's defense was simply too strong.

Still, I felt we had a puncher's chance with Dungey and none at all when ND could tee off on TD. Hope he proves me wrong against BC.

 

[TheCusian]

We should be improved at RB, WR, maybe can replace TE because Pierce has not been used other than as a blocker. We have interior linemen returning, and need to replace both OTs.
I see DeVito as our main 2019 issue (defense has a lot of talent returning). He takes a lot of sacks, does not scramble, or move the chains with his feet. He was exceptional against NC in a few series when he got quick strikes on deep throws, and good in relief against FSU. Not good against WMU in 4or 5 series, and ND's defense was simply too strong.

Still, I felt we had a puncher's chance with Dungey and none at all when ND could tee off on TD. Hope he proves me wrong against BC.

Tommy is going to be fine. He’ll get the lion share of reps, have better targets to throw to, and a better RB to handoff to. Dino will finally get to run the full offense.

To me it’s replacing the OT. We get that semi-right, and the offense and defense will both be better next year.

Side note: I think people are comparing 3rd year in this system and 4th in college ED with 1st year playing college with a redshirt year in the 2nd year in a system TD - and it looks like it should. Tommy isn’t as consistent in his performance. But there’s a huge difference between that and Tommy being a liability. Well look back at the reps in games for him this year as good proper steps to being a very, very good QB here.

 

[PhatOrange]

You’re worried about our receivers next year? Toogie (4 Star transfer from MSU) Taj Harris with another year of experience, Nykeim Johnson, Senior Sean Riley, and Ed Hendrix... Not worried about that group in the least. Taj Harris is a freshman who played QB in high school, mistakes are gonna be there. It’s just pretty obvious watching him play the sky is the limit, and if anybody can get a WR to their full potential it’s Dino Babers. Stop killing the kid for being a freshman.

Exactly. he's not had an off season workout or a spring. Same with Hendrix and Queeley.

The WRs have been better than expected and all return next year plus we add Jackson.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

We should be improved at RB, WR, maybe can replace TE because Pierce has not been used other than as a blocker. We have interior linemen returning, and need to replace both OTs.
I see DeVito as our main 2019 issue (defense has a lot of talent returning). He takes a lot of sacks, does not scramble, or move the chains with his feet. He was exceptional against NC in a few series when he got quick strikes on deep throws, and good in relief against FSU. Not good against WMU in 4or 5 series, and ND's defense was simply too strong.

Still, I felt we had a puncher's chance with Dungey and none at all when ND could tee off on TD. Hope he proves me wrong against BC.

Conway worries me against BC. They have a very good DE and Conway looked like he had his feet stuck in concrete against ND.

 

[SoBristol]

…….

Side note: I think people are comparing 3rd year in this system and 4th in college ED with 1st year playing college with a redshirt year in the 2nd year in a system TD - and it looks like it should. Tommy isn’t as consistent in his performance. But there’s a huge difference between that and Tommy being a liability. Well look back at the reps in games for him this year as good proper steps to being a very, very good QB here.

Yes -- extra reps for Tommy (due to the misfortune of losing ED) is the silver lining in this black cloud. It might be fair to compare Tommy with Dungey in his true frosh year under Tim Lester and his soph year (first under Dino), when Dungey's potential was evident. Tommy has the benefit of being recruited for this offense, coming in highly rated, and having a red-shirt year to get ready. Lack of consistency is mostly about not being able to scramble, and not hitting a high percentage of his passes -- areas for improvement.

So, we will see. Tommy has a real shot this week, and likely in our bowl game.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

So, we will see. Tommy has a real shot this week, and likely in our bowl game.[/QUOTE]

Without further information, I think you are getting ahead of yourself.

 

[Rocco]

This is one of the Top 5 offenses we've ever had at SU, possibly even the best, yet folks on here concerned about the offense. Cannot make this up.

You don't accidentally score 40+ points per game. The good news is that it can only get better as our receivers continue developing. Guys are dinged up.

 

[OrangeFoo]

This is one of the Top 5 offenses we've ever had at SU, possibly even the best, yet folks on here concerned about the offense. Cannot make this up.

You don't accidentally score 40+ points per game. The good news is that it can only get better as our receivers continue developing. Guys are dinged up.

Our offensive efficiency is 60th out of 130 teams in the country this season... our defensive efficiency is actually 20th in the country. I agree we have scored a TON of points but my eyes tell me that our offense has been mediocre this year and advanced stats agree. In my opinion a lot of it is due to Dungey's drop in performance, whether its from injury or something else. Otherwise Babers wouldn't have turned Dungey into a RB the last few games.

 

[Crusty]

Our offensive efficiency is 60th out of 130 teams in the country this season... our defensive efficiency is actually 20th in the country. I agree we have scored a TON of points but my eyes tell me that our offense has been mediocre this year and advanced stats agree. In my opinion a lot of it is due to Dungey's drop in performance, whether its from injury or something else. Otherwise Babers wouldn't have turned Dungey into a RB the last few games.

Shows the limitations of "advanced statistics" which are based on such small samples.

 

[OrangeFoo]

Shows the limitations of "advanced statistics" which are based on such small samples.

Small samples!? They have a whole season worth of data. Am I missing the sarcasm font?

 

[GoSU96]

Our offensive efficiency is 60th out of 130 teams in the country this season... our defensive efficiency is actually 20th in the country. I agree we have scored a TON of points but my eyes tell me that our offense has been mediocre this year and advanced stats agree. In my opinion a lot of it is due to Dungey's drop in performance, whether its from injury or something else. Otherwise Babers wouldn't have turned Dungey into a RB the last few games.

Mediocre? That’s ridiculous. Just because there obvious upside left doesn’t mean its mediocre.

They are the volume shooter of college football. It’s great coaching given the limit of talent That’s still good

 

[TheCusian]

Small samples!? They have a whole season worth of data. Am I missing the sarcasm font?

It's small in that a "whole season of data" comprises a relatively low amount of plays compared to other sports. CFB has the added dimension of playing a very unbalanced schedule.

 

[phil77]

Because our efficiency is 60 out of 130 does that mean our 40 points per game offense doesn't count? Do we have to give points back? Give me 60 out of 130 in efficiency and 10 out of 130 scoring all day long.

 

[GoSU96]

Because our efficiency is 60 out of 130 does that mean our 40 points per game offense doesn't count? Do we have to give points back? Give me 60 out of 130 in efficiency and 10 out of 130 scoring all day long.

It does to some people

 

[OrangeFoo]

Wow the defensiveness of people on this board is amazing... averaging 40 ppg is great but how much of that was due to short fields and turnovers and special teams? And yes, last time I checked 60 out of 130 in efficiency is mathematically right around the median given that median would be the 65th ranked team. I guess I should see where we are on the normal distribution to see how close to the fat part of the curve we are on but I'm guessing it will stay the same thing and that's that we are average.

Set aside the stats... are we all saying that if our offense was humming perfectly then the strategy of using our injury prone QB, who has never finished a season and is probably one or two concussions away from not being able to play anyone, as a primary running back is really the best approach?

Apparently the only posts allowed on this board are the one that go along with the group think of this board which is that we have the best offense in Syracuse history... the one that did very little against Clemson, nothing against ND, took a whole half off against Pitt, required benching our starting QB to win the UNC game, required Riley to single handedly blow up to get some separation from UCONN, etc...

 

[orange_in_VA]

Wow the defensiveness of people on this board is amazing... averaging 40 ppg is great but how much of that was due to short fields and turnovers and special teams? And yes, last time I checked 60 out of 130 in efficiency is mathematically right around the median given that median would be the 65th ranked team. I guess I should see where we are on the normal distribution to see how close to the fat part of the curve we are on but I'm guessing it will stay the same thing and that's that we are average.

Set aside the stats... are we all saying that if our offense was humming perfectly then the strategy of using our injury prone QB, who has never finished a season and is probably one or two concussions away from not being able to play anyone, as a primary running back is really the best approach?

Apparently the only posts allowed on this board are the one that go along with the group think of this board which is that we have the best offense in Syracuse history... the one that did very little against Clemson, nothing against ND, took a whole half off against Pitt, required benching our starting QB to win the UNC game, required Riley to single handedly blow up to get some separation from UCONN, etc...

I think right now we are still consistently average and occasionally good. It's year 3 and we will all happily take an 8+ win season. I really expect next year to be our consistently good year. Of course this will depend on a couple of important factors. Oline, LBers, Slayton replacement. I have faith that the overall talent on this team is getting better each year and the trend continues next season. Our passing game has definitely been a little lackluster, but our running game has been pretty darn good. The best its been in Babers tenure by a lot. Our defense is situationally elite. It took me a while to get used to/appreciate it, but I can see now that it's the right defense for what this staff is trying to accomplish. I do agree that the offense is not humming along like it appears on paper. I've been saying it for weeks now. Running an above average offense doesn't include having your kicker on track to break NCAA records for FGs. It is what it is right now though. This team has overachieved this season in every possible way. It's crazy to think otherwise.