Week 1 is a very important week.
Syracuse opens the season taking the trip to Kalamazoo to take on Western Michigan. Syracuse is on a business trip to win another season opener. But this time it isn't in the Dome and it isn't against an FCS team. Syracuse needs a win to get the season off right.
The Orange are fresh off training camp and ready to have Eric Dungey lead the Orange and the offense against the Broncos. Tim Lester, former Offensive Coordinator for the Orange, will lead Western Michigan. He never really got the Orange offense together during his time in Syracuse. But Western Michigan seems to be having a better go. The good news is that Syracuse's coaches will be somewhat familiar with what to expect from WMU on the offensive end. Syracuse's defense has been a bit of a talking point this week, with the switch from what we all thought would be Nickle sets, to a 4-3. It sounds like Brian Ward, D Coordinator for Syracuse, will play this by ear depending on what Western Michigan throws at them. The good news for Syracuse is that QB Jon Wassink isn't a huge threat to stretch the field, and lead to catastrophic big plays, he is good at making completions to move the chains. Syracuse will have to put the pressure on to get the ball in the hands of Dungey. Syracuse looks to have a coming out party of sorts, with their revamped, but very veteran, Offensive Line. This looks to be the best offensive line at Syracuse is maybe a decade. That bodes well for not only protecting Dungey, but also allowing whichever SU running back happens to get the carry to go HAM on that D. While this game may be close early as the teams are adjusting to being in an actual game, I think Syracuse will be able to pull away in the 2nd half, due to their no huddle offense, and a more balanced pass/run attack. I'm taking Syracuse in the Season Opener 34 to 24.
This game is available nationally on CBS Sports Network at 6:00pm. Both John and I will be in the home offices. As always, you can find us on Twitter @BH_Orange44 and @JBren. Also as always, any rules or official questions during the game, send them my way. Best of luck to your heart as we embark on another football season and GO ORANGE!
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