The plight of SU fans in September

[anomander]

I would love those scores.

I'm not worried about either, especially with Nova being home opener, and CMU off a bye week. I think we are at the point of our progression where we can simply out athlete, and out talent them. I have little doubt we drub Nova by at least 3 or 4 td's. CMU can be trickier being on the road, but we just have the far better athlete. Put it this way if either are within 2 td's I will be really questioning where we are headed as a program, and will be extremely terrified of the schedule ahead. With that said I don't see that happening...Maryland on the other hand, we better be ready.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I'm not worried about either, especially with Nova being home opener, and CMU off a bye week. I think we are at the point of our progression where we can simply out athlete, and out talent them. I have little doubt we drub Nova by at least 3 or 4 td's. CMU can be trickier being on the road, but we just have the far better athlete. Put it this way if either are within 2 td's I will be really questioning where we are headed as a program, and will be extremely terrified of the schedule ahead. With that said I don't see that happening...Maryland on the other hand, we better be ready.

I dont necessarily disagree with your assessement of where the program is/should be at this point and the talent level we have on the field vs Nova and CMU. That being said I believe both Nova and CMU return all of starters (CMU the most in the nation) and Nova has a really good mobile QB and they hung with BC for most of the game. Like I said I expect a win but unless this offense comes out roaring from the gun and the D line can generate pressure and replace Bromley as we all hope they can I think the game will be closer then it shoudl be.

 

[anomander]

I dont necessarily disagree with your assessement of where the program is/should be at this point and the talent level we have on the field vs Nova and CMU. That being said I believe both Nova and CMU return all of starters (CMU the most in the nation) and Nova has a really good mobile QB and they hung with BC for most of the game. Like I said I expect a win but unless this offense comes out roaring from the gun and the D line can generate pressure and replace Bromley as we all hope they can I think the game will be closer then it shoudl be.

I believe Syracuse returns a great deal of starters as well. 1st in the ACC, and 17th nationally. If we don't pound Nova I will be concerned for where we are as a program. I just can't see it being close.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I believe Syracuse returns a great deal of starters as well. 1st in the ACC, and 17th nationally. If we don't pound Nova I will be concerned for where we are as a program. I just can't see it being close.

The good news is we will be able to find out in less a month, hopefully your right.

 

[TheCusian]

I dont necessarily disagree with your assessement of where the program is/should be at this point and the talent level we have on the field vs Nova and CMU. That being said I believe both Nova and CMU return all of starters (CMU the most in the nation) and Nova has a really good mobile QB and they hung with BC for most of the game. Like I said I expect a win but unless this offense comes out roaring from the gun and the D line can generate pressure and replace Bromley as we all hope they can I think the game will be closer then it shoudl be.

Our D is a lot of things - but "unable to generate pressure" is not in Shafer's vocabulary.

 

[AAM62]

To be honest that game worries me more then it should for a few reasons. Normally when you have a 1AA scheduled to start the year its a dream come true but in this case Nova is high end 1AA team something I was hoping we would avoid and schedule a team like Wagner which guarantees a win.

First game of the year there is usually a lot of rust and kinks to work out especially when your a mid level program which is what Syracuse is. This as you noted could lead to a competitive game in the 2nd half which as we all know is the last thing you want especially a close game in the 4th with a 1AA opponent who with nothing to lose will start throwing the kitchen sink at you.

Secondly after the absolute blowout of Wagner last year I wonder how up the team will be for a labor day weekend game vs Nova with 30k in the stands. We saw this previously under Marrone when Syracuse got behing Maine and Rhode Island in the first half.

I fully expect Syracuse to win and win by 2 tds plus but people penciling in this team for an easy 2-0 start are setting themselves up for failure because both games could be competitive late into the game especially Central Michigan.

We did smoke tulane and they wound up being a pretty good team. Nova is a top I AA school but we should have a little more faith that we can handle business.

 

[anomander]

Our D is a lot of things - but "unable to generate pressure" is not in Shafer's vocabulary.

Ya but there is a difference between generating pressure off the blitz, or generating pressure naturally. That's really not Welsh, or Robinson's game, and without Bromley in the middle, getting pressure organically could really be a problem. We can get by with that against the Nova's of the world who don't have the threats outside to beat our secondary, but when you give FSU, Clemson, or even Duke single coverage because we are forced to blitz to create pressure it could cause problems. Personally I really hope we see Thompson, and Simmons emerge as presences off the edge that can give us pressure. We will be better off as a team if they force Bullough to keep them on the field. imo Welsh and Robinson aren't the answer.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Our D is a lot of things - but "unable to generate pressure" is not in Shafer's vocabulary.

A huge difference from generating pressure from your D line versus having to blitz 80% of the time or more. Syracuse has struggled the past few years to generate pressure from the front four and with Broms gone thats a big loss.

 

[JeremyCuse]

We did smoke tulane and they wound up being a pretty good team. Nova is a top I AA school but we should have a little more faith that we can handle business.

Again im not saying Syracuse wont win or that it will be a 3 pt game late in the fourth. My only point is Syracuse up 10 late in the third wouldn't surprise me.

 

[AAM62]

Again im not saying Syracuse wont win or that it will be a 3 pt game late in the fourth. My only point is Syracuse up 10 late in the third wouldn't surprise me.

I dont blame you at all for thinking that. I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[TheCusian]

A huge difference from generating pressure from your D line versus having to blitz 80% of the time or more. Syracuse has struggled the past few years to generate pressure from the front four and with Broms gone thats a big loss.

Of course.

You were talking specifically about the Nova game, my response was specific to that game. I don't think generating pressure against weaker competition will be as issue at all.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

For as much as Boeheim has gotten grief about it over his career, there's something to be said for scheduling easy at the beginning of the season, getting some wins, and building momentum and fan interest.

Yeah, just ask Rutgers. It seems to have worked for them.

 

[JoeSU]

I completely agree with you - Nova is a solid club and this game could easily be competitive into the 2nd half.

Not unlike BC- Nova in last year's season opener, which the Wildcats lead 14-7 at the half.
Villanova QB John Robertson is the sort of dual-threat run-pass QB that often gives our defense problems. He isn't going to beat you with his arm, but he protects the football and had only 7 INTs last season.He's one of 20 players on the watch list for the Walter Payton award (top player in FCS) and is pre-season 3rd team AA. I don't exp[ect this game to be a blowout like This is not like playing Howard, Norfolk St., NC Central, etc.

 

[kcsu]

Our coaching approach and game plan are the key in the first two games. If we play more basic ball on O and MAC doesnt get too cute we should dominate them at the line of scrimmage and run the ball down their throats. If he gets cute and tries to much out of the gate we could be in for some problems. I really hope that we depend on our D the first two games. Play field position and ball protection and we should walk away with two 2 td or better wins. Maryland will be an easier game than Central.