Why we will win, Why we will lose
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OburgOrange
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You
OburgOrange
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Perfect
TheHaze315
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Obviously knew how much SWC provided to the board while he was here, but it’s really hitting now that he’s gone. The radio show and the why we’ll win/lose, brought great content week after week.
Acesn8s
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Just my opinion this one is pretty simple, a lot of the outcome will come down to can Syracuse hold their own on the lines? I am worried that the Tennessee D line and linebackers are going to make us one dimensional. IF we slow down the run, and win the turnover battle we can win this game.
CuseCactus
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What happened to SWC? He’s a fantastic poster
orangefog
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Faegan
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You'll be fine. Just send it through AI and tell it that you need it to be bumped up to the 8th grade level. That's about all most of us can handle here anyway.
Archbold44
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Just about every game can come down to blocking, tackling, and turnovers. Our more narrowly yet... winning in the trenches and turnovers.
I think the keys are whether our front 6 or 7 can stop the run. If we need to start having DBs cheat up to stop their run game, then we will be vulnerable to play action/passing. Thinking of that BC loss last year.
If we had played Tenn in the first round of the playoffs last year... they would have been the best defense we faced all year. So our offense vs. their defense would have been a great story line. This would have been a very tough matchup for us. In contrast to Miami, which was all O and no D like us... a shootout. What happens when our offense is held to 20 points. Can our defense keep teams under 20?
If our defense is not improved over last year, especially against the run and avoiding big plays, things could get ugly. If our D is not improved, that would require our offense to be just as good as it was last year by the end of the year. Can we be that good this early in 2025? Can we be that good against what is likely one of the top 2-3 defenses we face all year?
We have the size, speed, and talent that it will not take gimmicks to win. But we will need to come ready to play and crisply execute what is hopefully a very well designed game plan.
OttosShoes
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I am not SWC and I never will be. But I respect the hell out of what he did for us and will give it a shot in his memory.
Why We Will Win
In two words? Jeff Nixon. He's had as long as he'd need to study the Tennessee defense and he has the tools and genius in his arsenal to take them down. Angeli is the real deal and isn't going to cave to the intense and sudden pressure. Our receiver corp is deep as the Mariana Trench, and if you put oversized shoulder pads on the O-Line you could mistake them for the '95 Gator Bowl champs.
I expect the offense to look a little bit like last year--spread, aggressive, and pass-heavy. Johntay has always had the talent, but now he's got a HCFB as a mentor too, and we're going to hear a lot of "Angeli to Cook for the first down'. Not to mention Gill who was solid last year and is going to come back stronger and more elusive.
But I don't think the offense will be exactly the same. With the new line and lack of LeQuint and Oronde as check-down options, it will be exciting to see all 235lbs of Yasin Willis smash open his own gaps. I was also curious to see Fran Jr. listed at Fullback; while I don't expect to see him take many snaps there, it could be an indicator of how the offense is adapting to the talent at hand.
The defense may be questionable, but I see some bright spots too. All eyes are on Demetres Samuel Jr.--Tenesee is going to count on winning some 1v1 routes and he's a day ahead and a dollar over when it comes to the speed to shut them down.
Why We Will Lose
Tennesee is good. Nico was fantastic, but for them it's a don't let the door hit you on the way out situation much less a next man up.
Now, I'm not calling for meathead football, exactly, but I expect them to methodically march down the field and wear out our defense. Those same 1v1s that we can win are going to be a lot harder to keep winning as we tire out.
It will be tense. I'm not going to lie, at times it might even start to feel hopeless, and their time with the ball that stands a good chance of limiting our possessions.
And remember, our offense is new. Steve won the competition but he was not here for spring ball. Mistakes and miscues seem inevitable, and with limited possessions those mistakes will be costly, and they will risk compounding later in the game when the type of 4th and 3 decision can be increasingly tempting. And those difficult and important plays will be in front of a crowd that is increasingly looking like an away game.
Overall?
It's a game we can win. I am hopeful. But we will need some luck.
Why We Will Win
In two words? Jeff Nixon. He's had as long as he'd need to study the Tennessee defense and he has the tools and genius in his arsenal to take them down. Angeli is the real deal and isn't going to cave to the intense and sudden pressure. Our receiver corp is deep as the Mariana Trench, and if you put oversized shoulder pads on the O-Line you could mistake them for the '95 Gator Bowl champs.
I expect the offense to look a little bit like last year--spread, aggressive, and pass-heavy. Johntay has always had the talent, but now he's got a HCFB as a mentor too, and we're going to hear a lot of "Angeli to Cook for the first down'. Not to mention Gill who was solid last year and is going to come back stronger and more elusive.
But I don't think the offense will be exactly the same. With the new line and lack of LeQuint and Oronde as check-down options, it will be exciting to see all 235lbs of Yasin Willis smash open his own gaps. I was also curious to see Fran Jr. listed at Fullback; while I don't expect to see him take many snaps there, it could be an indicator of how the offense is adapting to the talent at hand.
The defense may be questionable, but I see some bright spots too. All eyes are on Demetres Samuel Jr.--Tenesee is going to count on winning some 1v1 routes and he's a day ahead and a dollar over when it comes to the speed to shut them down.
Why We Will Lose
Tennesee is good. Nico was fantastic, but for them it's a don't let the door hit you on the way out situation much less a next man up.
Now, I'm not calling for meathead football, exactly, but I expect them to methodically march down the field and wear out our defense. Those same 1v1s that we can win are going to be a lot harder to keep winning as we tire out.
It will be tense. I'm not going to lie, at times it might even start to feel hopeless, and their time with the ball that stands a good chance of limiting our possessions.
And remember, our offense is new. Steve won the competition but he was not here for spring ball. Mistakes and miscues seem inevitable, and with limited possessions those mistakes will be costly, and they will risk compounding later in the game when the type of 4th and 3 decision can be increasingly tempting. And those difficult and important plays will be in front of a crowd that is increasingly looking like an away game.
Overall?
It's a game we can win. I am hopeful. But we will need some luck.
Goin' Deep
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Three things...we win.
Dan Villari has 4 catches for 44 yards...If he can make the VOLS LBs respect him, we can run.
Our LBs have to keep the VOLS from running over us. If we're getting shredded in the 2nd half ..it's likely to be over.
SPECIAL TEAMS... we cannot have punts blocked,,, we must kick fieldgoals from over 35 yards...
we cannot give up any long punt/kickoff returns.
Dan Villari has 4 catches for 44 yards...If he can make the VOLS LBs respect him, we can run.
Our LBs have to keep the VOLS from running over us. If we're getting shredded in the 2nd half ..it's likely to be over.
SPECIAL TEAMS... we cannot have punts blocked,,, we must kick fieldgoals from over 35 yards...
we cannot give up any long punt/kickoff returns.
Shenexon
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It's hard to take a position I don't believe in, but in honor of the devil's advocate that Steve emulated:
Why We Will Lose
Defense. Theirs and ours. Their defense will stifle our 1st game offense. Their DL is tough and will negate our improved OL. If we can't run, then they'll know we have to pass, and their edge players are as good as any we may see this season. How many sacks until it affects Angeli in his first start at Syracuse? Overall, I think the under is looking very attractive.
Our defense will be improved this season and make a game of it, but in the end they'll score just enough to beat us. Our kicking game will be mixed, with good punting and poor FG kicking. It's going to be a slow start for both teams, but Tennessee doesn't have to play much better than we do to win. The crowd will be more TN fans than SU fans, which won't help either.
Tennessee is the favorite for a reason and we won't be fully clicking out of the chute. SU has a young team in their first game together against a bunch of talented kids, especially on defense, and with a coach that's been pretty tough. We'll have to overcome a number of factors and think it's less likely we can do that in the first game. Fran will have to wait a week to shower...
Why We Will Lose
Defense. Theirs and ours. Their defense will stifle our 1st game offense. Their DL is tough and will negate our improved OL. If we can't run, then they'll know we have to pass, and their edge players are as good as any we may see this season. How many sacks until it affects Angeli in his first start at Syracuse? Overall, I think the under is looking very attractive.
Our defense will be improved this season and make a game of it, but in the end they'll score just enough to beat us. Our kicking game will be mixed, with good punting and poor FG kicking. It's going to be a slow start for both teams, but Tennessee doesn't have to play much better than we do to win. The crowd will be more TN fans than SU fans, which won't help either.
Tennessee is the favorite for a reason and we won't be fully clicking out of the chute. SU has a young team in their first game together against a bunch of talented kids, especially on defense, and with a coach that's been pretty tough. We'll have to overcome a number of factors and think it's less likely we can do that in the first game. Fran will have to wait a week to shower...
OrangeinBoston
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Why we will loose
Because Tennessee is an SEC team and, yeah, Syracuse had a great year last year but will suck as usual this year.
Because Tennessee has to replace a QB and most of their OL, but no matter. Syracuse has to replace its OL and QB but they will never figure it out.
Because Tennessee will be sharp as a tack in their first game and Syracuse will make mistakes and commit turnovers all over the place.
Because Heupel is a football genius and Fran has no clue.
Etc., etc., ad nauseam.
Because Tennessee is an SEC team and, yeah, Syracuse had a great year last year but will suck as usual this year.
Because Tennessee has to replace a QB and most of their OL, but no matter. Syracuse has to replace its OL and QB but they will never figure it out.
Because Tennessee will be sharp as a tack in their first game and Syracuse will make mistakes and commit turnovers all over the place.
Because Heupel is a football genius and Fran has no clue.
Etc., etc., ad nauseam.
Niastri
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Make sure you tell it not to make anything up if you're asking it to compile stats for you.
DomeHolmes
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We have had worse teams than this years Orangemen go toe to toe with Clemson teams that were much better than this Tennessee team. Same with the last SEC team we played, in LSU, with a good OL and Fournette. Tennessee won’t be as good as them either.
If we can get through the first quarter without a meltdown we will be competitive the whole game. We have size and depth. We just need to not beat ourselves with turnovers, poor, tackling, and special teams errors. (No guarantees here)
Tennessee is only #24, Not #4. They will have lots of questions on offense and they have no first second or third team SEC members on their defense.
Getting them in the first game is the best thing we could hope for.
We are underdogs for a reason, but they are not as scary as Texas or Georgia.
Good teams can get destroyed by Ohio State, but not great teams. The team that was totally outclassed by Ohio State lost most of their offense. They weren’t great, and they are worse now.
(OR THE GAME CAN GO LIKE THE DEVITO GAME vs ND).
We will know in about 10 minutes how it will likely go.
If we can get through the first quarter without a meltdown we will be competitive the whole game. We have size and depth. We just need to not beat ourselves with turnovers, poor, tackling, and special teams errors. (No guarantees here)
Tennessee is only #24, Not #4. They will have lots of questions on offense and they have no first second or third team SEC members on their defense.
Getting them in the first game is the best thing we could hope for.
We are underdogs for a reason, but they are not as scary as Texas or Georgia.
Good teams can get destroyed by Ohio State, but not great teams. The team that was totally outclassed by Ohio State lost most of their offense. They weren’t great, and they are worse now.
(OR THE GAME CAN GO LIKE THE DEVITO GAME vs ND).
We will know in about 10 minutes how it will likely go.
Niastri
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Why Syracuse Will Win :
Syracuse usually doesn't have the linemen to compete effectively with a team like Tennessee. This season, our defensive line has mass comparable to any defense in the country. We aren't going to be bowled over just because we're smaller. Plus, our defensive line has been competing against the likes of 400lb Byron Washington, so aren't going to be intimidated by Tennessee's on-line that tops out at 330lb. Even taking Washington out, Syracuse's offensive line is taller and heavier than Tennessee's. I think the lines are even when Syracuse is playing defense. I question the decision making of Aguilar... He throws way too many questionable balls into tight coverage and even had a tendency to just toss it up for grabs. I don't think 50-50 balls are going to favor Tennessee so strongly that we don't come down with a few.
I think Syracuse will get off the field and not suffer a series of long drives where Tennessee crams it down the middle of the defense. Then it will come to Aguilar being able to make a play, either with his feet or against the nickel packages Syracuse is going to play. I really think QB is going to be a weakness, and it very much remains to be seen if RS Sophomore Bishop can duplicate the effectiveness of Sampson last season.
When Syracuse has the ball, it comes down to protection of the QB. Tennessee recorded 29 sacks last year, but their top pass rushers have all moved on. They also are much smaller than the defensive linemen Syracuse has been competing against, their nose tackle is 315lb, with a couple other guys under 300lb as the ends. They have a base 3-3-5 which in practice is much like our 4-2-5, as West is really an edge rusher at 240lb, and Tennessee's leading pass rusher from last season. I think Syracuse will be comfortable facing the scheme, and won't be overpowered. Then it comes down to Willis and Nixon being able to get through the line and challenge or get away from the two Tennessee linebackers, who are both big boys, around 240lb. I think Tennessee is going to struggle tackling Willis in particular once he's in the secondary, their DBs are all sub 200lbs. This could force Tennessee to load the box against us. Lastly, our guy Angeli has been noted for his decision making in live game play. Apparently he's never made a play in his career that was "turnover worthy." In a game that could be very close, not turning it over is really important and could be the difference.
Syracuse usually doesn't have the linemen to compete effectively with a team like Tennessee. This season, our defensive line has mass comparable to any defense in the country. We aren't going to be bowled over just because we're smaller. Plus, our defensive line has been competing against the likes of 400lb Byron Washington, so aren't going to be intimidated by Tennessee's on-line that tops out at 330lb. Even taking Washington out, Syracuse's offensive line is taller and heavier than Tennessee's. I think the lines are even when Syracuse is playing defense. I question the decision making of Aguilar... He throws way too many questionable balls into tight coverage and even had a tendency to just toss it up for grabs. I don't think 50-50 balls are going to favor Tennessee so strongly that we don't come down with a few.
I think Syracuse will get off the field and not suffer a series of long drives where Tennessee crams it down the middle of the defense. Then it will come to Aguilar being able to make a play, either with his feet or against the nickel packages Syracuse is going to play. I really think QB is going to be a weakness, and it very much remains to be seen if RS Sophomore Bishop can duplicate the effectiveness of Sampson last season.
When Syracuse has the ball, it comes down to protection of the QB. Tennessee recorded 29 sacks last year, but their top pass rushers have all moved on. They also are much smaller than the defensive linemen Syracuse has been competing against, their nose tackle is 315lb, with a couple other guys under 300lb as the ends. They have a base 3-3-5 which in practice is much like our 4-2-5, as West is really an edge rusher at 240lb, and Tennessee's leading pass rusher from last season. I think Syracuse will be comfortable facing the scheme, and won't be overpowered. Then it comes down to Willis and Nixon being able to get through the line and challenge or get away from the two Tennessee linebackers, who are both big boys, around 240lb. I think Tennessee is going to struggle tackling Willis in particular once he's in the secondary, their DBs are all sub 200lbs. This could force Tennessee to load the box against us. Lastly, our guy Angeli has been noted for his decision making in live game play. Apparently he's never made a play in his career that was "turnover worthy." In a game that could be very close, not turning it over is really important and could be the difference.
Chip
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Yes, and since upper raised his hand he also gets Upside/Downside after the game.
Remember, no matter how good things go there's always a downside, and no matter how badly things go there's always an upside.
