nelsonmuntz
Point Center
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Messages
- 44,546
- Reaction Score
- 34,241
Offense
Ryan Nassib is illustrative of most of Syracuse's better players. He doesn't suck, but how many other teams in the Big East would want him as their starter? He dinks and dunks down field (averaged barely 10 yards per completion), doesn't make that many mistakes, and hands off a lot. His receivers are kind of the same thing. Lemon may play, but Sales and West are expected to carry the load. Are either really that good?
Bailey was a good back, but he is gone and none of the returning players distinguished themselves last year. I expect running back by committee. There isn't a playmaker here or at wide receiver, which makes it very hard to win with a dink and dunk offense. No one ever breaks a big one.
The offensive line is OK. Pugh is good, 2 other starters are back. 3.6 ypc is not good, especially with a back like Bailey on the team, and 29 sacks allowed is barely acceptable. With the mediocre receivers and downgrade in running back, I expect both poor numbers to decline further.
Defense
Syracuse's defensive line just ties up blockers to enable the linebackers to make plays. Historically, the d-line has done just that. Last year's 3.5 ypc allowed and 28 sacks was a solid performance, but Chandler Jones is gone as is Marinovich. None of the returning linemen are particularly impressive, and I expect a significant drop in the d-line's numbers.
Marrone has had solid linebacking units during his time here, although he has leaned heavily on GRob recruits. Most of them are gone now. Vaughan, Spruill and Davis are all good, and will have a big year for Syracuse.
The pass defense was poor last year, and Syracuse loses 2 starters and another key DB. Their best CB Lyn missed the spring, and I don't know his status. This could be another weak pass defense.
Schedule
The schedule is ridiculous. Northwestern, USC (Jersey), Stony Brook, @ Minnesota, @ Missouri and 4 conference road gapes plus Louisville at home. Syracuse could play OK football and end up 3-9. Temple is a road game, which further reduces SU's potential win total. I am all for challenging a team, but this schedule is crazy, and could cost Marrone his job.
Conclusion
Marrone has not recruited well. He was still leaning on GRob's players heavily into last year. There are only a couple left, but it will be interesting to see he he does with just his own guys.
There just is not a lot of talent on this team. Name 3 guys you really wish UConn had. I got Pugh and Spruill, and that's it. That schedule together with a mediocre team and this could be Marrone's last year in upstate New York. Prediction:
3-9, 1-6
Ryan Nassib is illustrative of most of Syracuse's better players. He doesn't suck, but how many other teams in the Big East would want him as their starter? He dinks and dunks down field (averaged barely 10 yards per completion), doesn't make that many mistakes, and hands off a lot. His receivers are kind of the same thing. Lemon may play, but Sales and West are expected to carry the load. Are either really that good?
Bailey was a good back, but he is gone and none of the returning players distinguished themselves last year. I expect running back by committee. There isn't a playmaker here or at wide receiver, which makes it very hard to win with a dink and dunk offense. No one ever breaks a big one.
The offensive line is OK. Pugh is good, 2 other starters are back. 3.6 ypc is not good, especially with a back like Bailey on the team, and 29 sacks allowed is barely acceptable. With the mediocre receivers and downgrade in running back, I expect both poor numbers to decline further.
Defense
Syracuse's defensive line just ties up blockers to enable the linebackers to make plays. Historically, the d-line has done just that. Last year's 3.5 ypc allowed and 28 sacks was a solid performance, but Chandler Jones is gone as is Marinovich. None of the returning linemen are particularly impressive, and I expect a significant drop in the d-line's numbers.
Marrone has had solid linebacking units during his time here, although he has leaned heavily on GRob recruits. Most of them are gone now. Vaughan, Spruill and Davis are all good, and will have a big year for Syracuse.
The pass defense was poor last year, and Syracuse loses 2 starters and another key DB. Their best CB Lyn missed the spring, and I don't know his status. This could be another weak pass defense.
Schedule
The schedule is ridiculous. Northwestern, USC (Jersey), Stony Brook, @ Minnesota, @ Missouri and 4 conference road gapes plus Louisville at home. Syracuse could play OK football and end up 3-9. Temple is a road game, which further reduces SU's potential win total. I am all for challenging a team, but this schedule is crazy, and could cost Marrone his job.
Conclusion
Marrone has not recruited well. He was still leaning on GRob's players heavily into last year. There are only a couple left, but it will be interesting to see he he does with just his own guys.
There just is not a lot of talent on this team. Name 3 guys you really wish UConn had. I got Pugh and Spruill, and that's it. That schedule together with a mediocre team and this could be Marrone's last year in upstate New York. Prediction:
3-9, 1-6