Reply to thread

Message

[QUOTE="SWC75, post: 2294829, member: 289"]
-          Reading about MTS in the pre-season magazines, it seemed to me that they had lost too many key players from last year’s team to be at the same level. L’Tavious Mathers, who ran for 1,561 yards and caught 66 passes, was gone. So was Dennis Andrews. So were three interior offensive linemen. So was their entire defensive line.

-          In some ways they resemble Syracuse, a least based on their opening loss to Vanderbilt. They have a superior passing attack but no running game. They are questionable on both sides of the line of scrimmage, have excellent linebackers and a lot of depth in the defensive backfield.  When teams are similar, go with the one that plays on the higher level.

-          How do we compare to Vanderbilt? They were supposed to have a very good running attack with Ralph Webb, who ran for 1,283 yards last year), but a sub-par passing attack. They lost a star linebacker but their defensive backfield is experienced. Their line needs more push with 15 sacks last year. Well, they got it vs. MTS with 5 sacks for -20 yards, indicating a weakness in the Blue Raider’s pass protection. They only ran for 69 yards on 16 conventional running plays.  Stockdale was only 18 for 31. James caught 10 of those balls. Nobody else had more than 3. So they are pretty one-dimensional themselves.

-          They are 6-40 vs. power conference teams since they became an FBS team. Their six wins include two 1 point wins over 2-10 teams, (Vandy and Maryland), a 6 point win over a 4-8 team, (Missouri),  a 2 point win over a 5-6 Vanderbilt team, a three TD win over a 7-7 Georgia Tech team and a 10 point win over an 8-5 Maryland team. The intervals have been 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2016. So their wins are infrequent and unlikely at best.

-          The return of Scott Shafer has been much discussed. One of the things that has been said is that our offense may be the antidote to his defense: a mobile quarterback who can throw on the run. Short, high percentage patterns.  Vandy’s quarterback was 20 for 28 for 296 yards 3TDS, 0int and only 1 sack. Our guy is going to do better than that. Safe may also nto sell-out to stop the run so maybe we’ll get something going there.

-          This one should be fun. Be there or be square. And be loud!

1-0 with 11+ to go!

LET’S GO ORANGE!!!
[/QUOTE]

Verification

What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?