Who wins?

[SWC75]

2005 Syracuse Orange Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

2005 Syracuse Orange Stats

www.sports-reference.com

vs.

2020 Syracuse Orange Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

2020 Syracuse Orange Stats

www.sports-reference.com

The two teams have some similarities: good defenses, terrible offenses. Both teams were leading the country in takeovers at least at one point but couldn't take advantage of them due to the lack of offense.

Looking at the numbers, the 2005 team was actually considerably better on defense. they ran the ball better. They didn't pass for as many yards. I think the 2005 team would win because they had fewer injuries and thus more experienced players. They were closer to their potential, at least under that coaching staff. If this year's team has remained healthy, we'd have won 4-5 games and I wouldn't even be making the comparison. I also think the players on this team could be playing on a very good team in a year or two. G-Rob's worst team was actually the 2-10 team of 2007, which was terrible on both ends.

 

[Trueblue25]

2020 by multiple TD’s

 

[SUskibum]

2020 by multiple TD’s

Particularly if we have our full compliment of players

 

[illi3]

Slight change of topic here, but this thread got me thinking.
So for the sake of argument, and keeping the opt outs opted out during it, if this years team had played its original 2020 non-COVID schedule where do you think the record ends up?

 

[PatMark]

Let's do it by position:

QB: Push
RB: 2005 (only because Tucker is a freshman)
TE: Push
OL: Push
WR: 2020 (I guess ?)
DL: 2005 (Wyche & LaCasse both drafted)
LB: 2005
DB: 2005
ST: Push - Smyzt better PK, Carney better P

Would be an interesting match-up for sure. But the fact of the matter is this was GRob's first year rather than Dino's 5th year. No bueno.

 

[TheCusian]

Do we get Cisco, DeVito, and Trill? Then I go 2020. If not, push.

 

[PatMark]

Do we get Cisco, DeVito, and Trill? Then I go 2020. If not, push.

I'd still give 2005 the advantage over 2020 in the secondary. Smith & Jackson were 3rd/4th round picks who started for multiple seasons in the NFL. Gregory went undrafted but played 9 years in the league.

 

[PAcuse]

I'd still give 2005 the advantage over 2020 in the secondary. Smith & Jackson were 3rd/4th round picks who started for multiple seasons in the NFL. Gregory went undrafted but played 9 years in the league.

Trill and Cisco will match or beat Smith & Jackson in the draft
Iffy gets drafted
Williams will get drafted
2020 healthy secondary is better

 

[PatMark]

Trill and Cisco will match or beat Smith & Jackson in the draft
Iffy gets drafted
Williams will get drafted
2020 healthy secondary is better

Could be. Tough to compare I guess since we have the benefit of knowing how it panned out for the 2005 guys. Either way, neither team is throwing the ball well so it's probably a moot point lol.

 

[PAcuse]

Could be. Tough to compare I guess since we have the benefit of knowing how it panned out for the 2005 guys. Either way, neither team is throwing the ball well so it's probably a moot point lol.

Solid point lol

 

[SWC75]

Let's do it by position:

QB: Push
RB: 2005 (only because Tucker is a freshman)
TE: Push
OL: Push
WR: 2020 (I guess ?)
DL: 2005 (Wyche & LaCasse both drafted)
LB: 2005
DB: 2005
ST: Push - Smyzt better PK, Carney better P

Would be an interesting match-up for sure. But the fact of the matter is this was GRob's first year rather than Dino's 5th year. No bueno.

I would compare Dino's 5th year to G-Rob's 5th year if I could but I can't.

Dino's 3rd year was a lot better than G-Robs, that's for sure.

 

[sutomcat]

Let's do it by position:

QB: Push
RB: 2005 (only because Tucker is a freshman)
TE: Push
OL: Push
WR: 2020 (I guess ?)
DL: 2005 (Wyche & LaCasse both drafted)
LB: 2005
DB: 2005
ST: Push - Smyzt better PK, Carney better P

Would be an interesting match-up for sure. But the fact of the matter is this was GRob's first year rather than Dino's 5th year. No bueno.

I disagree on a couple of yours.

Like the others, I go with 2020 for DBs. At least 3 future pros, I think they will have better careers in the NFL.

QB:

2005: 139-304 (45.7%) 1659 yards 6 TDs 15 picks.
2020: 173-335 (51.6%) 1906 yards 15 TDs 12 picks.

Have to go with 2020 here. Not close.

RBs had marginally better performance in 2020 but it is close and I guess I can live with a push. Though the players on the 2020 team are clearly better to me. They just played against a much tougher schedule.

Special teams is clearly 2020. Cooney averaged about 2 more yards a punt, had great hang time and was excellent getting kicks inside the 20. Szymt quietly had a great job and was way better than Barker, who was crappy. Nykeim was terrific returning punts and KOs and Pena ran one back for a TD as well. The 2005 team had two 2 PR guys in Gregory and B Williams but they were crappy at returning KOs. Pretty sure the coverage teams were better in 2020 as well. A lot better overall athletic ability on those teams.

 

[PatMark]

I disagree on a couple of yours.

Like the others, I go with 2020 for DBs. At least 3 future pros, I think they will have better careers in the NFL.

QB:

2005: 139-304 (45.7%) 1659 yards 6 TDs 15 picks.
2020: 173-335 (51.6%) 1906 yards 15 TDs 12 picks.

Have to go with 2020 here. Not close.

RBs had marginally better performance in 2020 but it is close and I guess I can live with a push. Though the players on the 2020 team are clearly better to me. They just played against a much tougher schedule.

Special teams is clearly 2020. Cooney averaged about 2 more yards a punt, had great hang time and was excellent getting kicks inside the 20. Szymt quietly had a great job and was way better than Barker, who was crappy. Nykeim was terrific returning punts and KOs and Pena ran one back for a TD as well. The 2005 team had two 2 PR guys in Gregory and B Williams but they were crappy at returning KOs. Pretty sure the coverage teams were better in 2020 as well. A lot better overall athletic ability on those teams.

When you look at the QB stats...you want to puke! Crazy we didn't throw for 2,000 yards either of those years...

Looking back at the 2005 roster and it's amazing we were 1-10 with the amount of NFL players - even if they were cups of coffee - were on the roster. Think about this...the 2005 team had THREE OL that played in the NFL (Oujinaka, Franklin, Durand).
I'm counting about 20 guys that got a chance at the next level. If that isn't the biggest indictment on this conversation I don't know what is!

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Slight change of topic here, but this thread got me thinking.
So for the sake of argument, and keeping the opt outs opted out during it, if this years team had played its original 2020 non-COVID schedule where do you think the record ends up?

That is tough

at BC (Friday) Loss
Road game which makes it difficult and we lost to them at home this year. First games with a new HC are tricky for both sides but they ended up beating Duke their first game and it was on the road. Plus Tucker wasn't playing yet and our O was inept vs UNC.

at Rutgers Loss
Schiano would have blitz the crap out of us.

Colgate Win

at WMU Win maybe Loss
Dangerous game but I think we win or would hope so

Louisville Loss maybe Win
We lost to them bad on the road with two weeks to prep. Do we have a true frosh playing at QB? If there is a crowd I think we find a way to win. However if Covid exists and we are only keeping the schedule, a loss.

Liberty Loss
We lost to them this year. We would have two weeks to prep but that hasn't been a good thing under Dino. I think we lose anyway.

at Clemson Loss
That would be the same

GA Tech Win
Well we won this game so let's keep it that way

at Wake Loss
We lost at home so hard to see a win

NC State Loss maybe Win
It was a close game but we likely still lose TD or Rex at QB. However with a crowd maybe we pull it off.

FSU (Thursday night) Win
Short week for us but they stink

at Pitt Loss
We lost to them anyway the date wouldn't matter

So that has us at 3-6 with the three swing games. Certainly better than how things turned out record wise. But the O would still stink. Back to back 5-7 records with a crap O wouldn't make me feel better.