This is the absolute perfect game for us to get our mojo back

[Eric15]

Reasoning: Pitt is a legitimately good team (they beat UCF and Duke, and took PSU to the wire), but they're not good in a scary way. They don't have some unstoppable spread offense that's going to come in and go nuts on us. They're extremely beatable. It's the perfect blend of them being good enough to get fans excited if we win, but it not being anything overly difficult to pull off. Also, we're at home, and it's on national TV.

Basically, I don't think I could conjure up a better combination of variables (Pitt + home + ESPN) if I needed a win to inject some desperately needed confidence back into our players and fans.

 

[OrangeMojo]

It’s true - play good ball and get a win and I’m 100% back on board.

 

[upperdeck]

sad part is its the same type of Pitt team that we have struggled with for so long.

 

[TheCusian]

If we can handle their blitz, we win.

yes, that’s scary

 

[Orijinal]

What I don’t understand is: how is it that we are always playing teams with superlatives?

Clemson: #1 team in the country

Pittsburgh: 2nd most sacks in the country, most prolific wide receiver tandem

I’m not sure about the 4 other teams we have played, but dang if we don’t seem to always bump into teams that have the best this, that or the other thing in the last 10 years

 

[Cusefan69]

Sorry if I have missed it but do we have confirmation one way or the other if TD has ribcage injury? To me this is the make or break aspect to the game. If he is not injured, I would expect his ability to run/throw and take a hit will be better than last game . If he does have an injury similar to last game, it could be a challenge. My son and I will be there watching. hopefully he is ready to go.

 

[P Vasiloff]

Hopefully the offense will use the aggressiveness of Pittsburgh's defense against them by quick hitting plays that don't allow the Pittsburgh front seven to be in position immediate post snap. If they can hit a few right off the bat, it may force Pitt to adjust which then may open up other things for Syracuse. Here is to hoping, Go Orange!!!!!!!!

 

[Orangello]

If we can handle their blitz, we win.

yes, that’s scary

and our QB gets the ball out in under 3 Mississippi's

 

[JoeSU]

Hopefully the offense will use the aggressiveness of Pittsburgh's defense against them by quick hitting plays that don't allow the Pittsburgh front seven to be in position immediate post snap. If they can hit a few right off the bat, it may force Pitt to adjust which then may open up other things for Syracuse. Here is to hoping, Go Orange!!!

I agree completely.
For reasons that mystify me, I haven't seen our offense make these adjustments.
Mike Lynch should study the Maryland game film. The Terps used this approach so effectively to make us pay when we blitzed (including the screen pass).

 

[PhatOrange]

If we can handle their blitz, we win.

yes, that’s scary

You can neutralize it any number of ways right? Quick hitters, WR screens, slants, swing passes, TE pop pass, roll outs, jet sweeps. The question is will we or will we continue to drive the square peg into the round hole.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I get the OP, but really, any win is a good win right now.

Got to find a way to get 6. Home wins are crucial.

If we don't get it tonight my night is still salvageable though. I'm catching Gary Gulman's new late night set at a comedy club after the game is over.

 

[Doc5120]

You can neutralize it any number of ways right? Quick hitters, WR screens, slants, swing passes, TE pop pass, roll outs, jet sweeps. The question is will we or will we continue to drive the square peg into the round hole.

And with the weapons we have - Moe is very capable of catching the ball and making guys miss. Combine that with Nykeim & Riley in the slot (I swear they used to be good and I think still are - if thrown to), we can absolutely carve up blitzes.

 

[orange44]

You can neutralize it any number of ways right? Quick hitters, WR screens, slants, swing passes, TE pop pass, roll outs, jet sweeps. The question is will we or will we continue to drive the square peg into the round hole.

Absolutely agree!!

 

[P Vasiloff]

You can neutralize it any number of ways right? Quick hitters, WR screens, slants, swing passes, TE pop pass, roll outs, jet sweeps. The question is will we or will we continue to drive the square peg into the round hole.

That my friend is on Mike Lynch!

 

[Eric15]

Question: can our first play be something different than an inside hand off that results in 2nd and 9?

 

[blizz]

You can neutralize it any number of ways right? Quick hitters, WR screens, slants, swing passes, TE pop pass, roll outs, jet sweeps. The question is will we or will we continue to drive the square peg into the round hole.

Nah. Just run it. Up the middle. Blitz schmitz. Fer cryin' in da sink gotta cuntrol da lina scermaj wicher biguns n'em roun' tops.

 

[FloridaFan]

Question: can our first play be something different than an inside hand off that results in 2nd and 9?

Best I can give is a screen play that is blown up at the line

 

[FasterCuse]

Question: can our first play be something different than an inside hand off that results in 2nd and 9?

If I could give this more than 1 like I would

 

[djorange1989]

I am a positive guy in general who has had a glass half full attitude about this team since Dino took over. That is not the case this year. I have lost confidence in offensive play calling, I have no confidence in the OL to get better enough to win 3 games. Most importantly, I don't have faith in the attitude/desire of this team to reach down and find what it takes(cliche alert!) to get 3 more wins. I question whether they want it badly enough

 

[FrancoPizza]

Best I can give is a screen play that is blown up at the line

2nd and 9 would be an improvement on most of our drives.

You'd think they'd have tommy practicing nothing but hot reads all week, but that might be too much to ask of the offensive staff.

 

[TheCusian]

2nd and 9 would be an improvement on most of our drives.

You'd think they'd have tommy practicing nothing but hot reads all week, but that might be too much to ask of the offensive staff.

This be a little over the top. This year has been tough - but these guys can coach offense. Too many people have forgotten how we looked in Shafer's last win.

86 yards passing in a win! Boston College vs. Syracuse - Team Statistics - November 28, 2015 - ESPN

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Question: can our first play be something different than an inside hand off that results in 2nd and 9?

Yes.

It can be an inside handoff for no gain.

 

[TheKid]

Yes.

It can be an inside handoff for no gain.

How about a quick fake to moe, tommy keeps it only to fall like a tired gutshot deer when a defender is near?

 

[Ozcuse]

Question: can our first play be something different than an inside hand off that results in 2nd and 9?

Mike Lynch:

Is that legal?!?!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

How about a quick fake to moe, tommy keeps it only to fall like a tired gutshot deer when a defender is near?

Also an option.