2008 Big East Football Previews: #8 Syracuse

It’s been an ugly decade for Syracuse football. You don’t need me to tell you that, but just to remind you, this is the team that was on par with the best teams in the Big East in the 90’s, and the traditional power in the northeast for decades before that. Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Ben Schwartzwalder and Donovan McNabb are just a few of the icons of those bygone eras of Syracuse football.

I defer to ESPN’s College Football Encyclopedia, which takes a permanent residence beside by computer. According to the editors of this authoritative masterpiece, published 2004, the “worst of times” era of Syracuse football came from 1973 to 1982, when three different coaches endured 2-9 seasons. While these were some lean years in Central New York, surely the editors would agree that what has transpired since that publication –a 7-28 record, including a paltry two Big East conference wins – is a worse era by far. The Orange have not been to a bowl game since 2004, a forgettable 51-14 trouncing by Georgia Tech in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Certainly, I was among many who felt that replacing Paul Pasqualoni after the 2004 season was probably the correct move. Syracuse was already lagging behind their rich tradition and had amassed three consecutive mediocre seasons. In hindsight, after three years of the Greg Robinson regime, Orange fans wish simply for a return to relevance, and would probably gladly accept a few of Pasqualoni’s six-win seasons. Yet, Robinson was given one more season, what will in all likelihood be his swan song, unless the Orange show a marked improvement in the win-loss column. This task looms large with every other Big East program showing they are bowl-caliber.

Another Robinson will lead the charge for the Syracuse offense, that being 6’3” junior Andrew Robinson. Robinson was deemed as a perfect fit for the West Coast offense scheme coming into last season, and yielded mixed results with a final tally of 2192 yards on 52.7% completions with a 13-7 TD-INT ratio. Quarterbacks on last-place finishers have certainly seen worse numbers.

The most daunting stat for Robinson though was the 54 sacks given up by the blocking unit. The Orange brought in former Minnesota offensive coordinator Mitch Browning to run their show. Browning promises leaner linemen, better footwork, and less sacks. He has a unit that returns three starters from last season, although given that performance one wonders if the experience is all that helpful. Seniors Ryan Durand (guard) and Corey Chavers (tackle) on the right side of the line are the biggest standouts. A shored-up offensive line will be a major key to any level of success for the Orange in 2008.

Syracuse has a duo of running backs with starting experience in sophomore Delone Carter and senior Curtis Brinkley, but health has been an issue throughout the career of each. The Orange were expecting freshman Averin Collier to come in spring drills and get the majority of carries at the tailback spot, but he too suffered an injury, a foot fracture prior to the beginning of spring ball. Doug Hogue and Tony Fiammetta saw time at tailback in the spring but are more suited at fullback. Somebody in the backfield must step up and stay healthy for the Orange.

The offense was once again devastated over the summer as it was announced junior receiver Mike Williams would not play this season due to academic issues. The Orange now must insert their new offensive system with inexperience receivers, as no returning Orange player had more than a handful of receptions last season. Most likely to step into Williams’ shoes is 6’3” junior Lavar Lobdell, a highly-touted prospect out of high school who now must live up to that potential.

Defensively, the Orange’s strength comes up the middle with nose tackle Arthur Jones (6’4”, 291, Jr.) and middle linebacker Jake Flaherty (6’1”, 228, Sr.) among the best in the conference at their respective positions. Up front, the Orange must do without last year’s standout Jameel McClain, who graduated after a season where he posted 9.5 sacks, as well as defensive end Brandon Gilbeaux, another returning starter who will sit out the season due to academic deficiency. Vincenzo Girruzi is a converted linebacker who will fill in at one defensive end. In the secondary, sophomore Mike Holmes at the corner returns after starting last season, while senior safeties A.J. Brown and Bruce Williams will step into full-time starting roles for the first time. Syracuse will look to improve on their abysmal 260.9 yards per game and 67.9 percent completion rate allowed last year.

One thing the Orange will have going for it this fall are the special teams. Morgantown, WV native Patrick Shadle hit 10 of 14 FG last season with a longest of 50 as a junior, while Rob Long averaged 41.9 yards per punt and got plenty of practice, setting off 75 punts on the season. Max Suter will field kickoffs for the Orange and has the potential to score touchdowns on every return.

Syracuse does not back down from non-conference scheduling and again face tough tasks this season against Big Ten foes Penn State and Northwestern, as well as traveling to improved Notre Dame. The opening game in Evanston may go a long way to show how much fight there will be in the Orange this season, as the Wildcats are installed as 12-point favorites early on. If Syracuse can hang around or even pull of the victory then it could set a favorable tone for the season, while a thrashing defeat could be the death knell. Syracuse faces the University of Akron and Football Championship Subdivision opponent Northeastern in their two best chances for wins. In the conference schedule, Syracuse must travel to conference frontrunners West Virginia, USF and Rutgers. In my estimation, the Orange’s best shot at a conference victory comes November 15 when they host the UConn Huskies, who they managed to defeat at home in 2006.

Syracuse seems to be so far behind every other team in the conference, that anything more than two conference wins would have to be considered a serious over-achievement. It seems almost impossible for this team to bridge the gap with the rest of the conference quickly enough to see a winning record, and that is likely what it would take for Robinson to retain his job. The good news in Syracuse is that the team appears to have ditched the all-orange monstrosity of a uniform. Prediction: 2-10 (0-7)

Tags: 2008 Preview, Andrew Robinson, Greg Robinson, Patrick Shadle, Syracuse