Syracuse - Ohio State ACC / Big Ten Challenge Preview
0 Comments Published on 11.28.2018 by Brian Harrison
Syracuse students agree: Syracuse needs a big non-conference win.
Syracuse travels to Columbus to take on THE Ohio State at home in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. In desperate (not really, but yeah) need of a marque non-conference win, Syracuse has a great opportunity in #16 OSU. Syracuse will have Frank Howard at full force on the floor, with a week to prepare for OSU. By now I know that Howard can facilitate, and Brissett and Battle can score. The question after the Colgate game is clearly can the big men hold up their end? Chukwu suffered a groin strain and sat most of Colgate, and Sidibe isn't still isn't 100%. If Syracuse is able to protect the low post, and rebound, they should win this one. If they aren't, well SU is going to get smoked on the boards and head home with a fat L. I think Chukwu should be ready and will do just enough, and while they didn't look great in MSG, Syracuse now has their actual starting point guard and should be ready to be the floor general Syracuse was desperately needing. OSU is a 4.5 point favorite which seems low, but I'll take a flyer and say the Orange come out like they should have against UConn, light it up, and get a lot of points off turnovers because the 2-3 is working it. I'll take Syracuse by 8. This game is available on ESPN 2 / WatchESPN at 7:15pm. We'll see you out there. GO ORANGE!
Labels: Basketball, Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Preview
The last regular season game of the season. Time to show up.
Syracuse got smacked up by a very good Notre Dame team. There is a reason they are undefeated and also #3 in the nation. They may be a little underrated frankly. Either way, now Syracuse heads into their last game with rival Boston College in Chestnut Hill (not Boston). Can Syracuse finish the season strong and finish with their highest win total in a very long time?
Syracuse takes on Boston College with a big question hanging over them. Will Eric Dungey play? While Eric was apparently able to get in and out of a hot tub to chat with Dino Babers and Tommy DeVito, he has stopped short and said he was unsure if Dungey would start. Either way Tommy DeVito has prepared as if he is starting so I'm actually not worried about the QB position. Unlike last week, the Defensive Line of Boston College isn't as talented as Notre Dame, so even DeVito will have much more time to be able to make plays. Similarly, the secondary will not cover the SU receivers like ND. Honestly, Syracuse will be able to score against Boston College. The question will be, can they score more than BC? Or more accurately, can the Syracuse defense stop AJ Dillon from breaking off big runs? If Syracuse's defense can make some plays and win the turnover battle on the day, more importantly if Syracuse can avoid interceptions, Syracuse should be able to win the game. The weather should be clear and low to mid-40's, so it shouldn't be a factor in the game, save for the wind. But that being said, this game should be close. Syracuse needs to make timely plays on 3rd down. The good news is that the top Special Teams will be a factor in this one, unlike last week. Field position will help Syracuse to hold Boston College from running up the game. I'm taking Syracuse to finish the regular season and head into a Bowl Game with a win. 34 to 31.
This game is available on the flagship ESPN at 12:00pm. This is also available on WatchESPN. Both John (ugh) and I will be in Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill. It should be a fun one. While Diamond Ferri isn't showing up, it should be a good display for a very good finish in the ACC Atlantic Division. BC sucks and always will... and GO ORANGE!
Syracuse students agree: Colgate isn't winning.
Syracuse took it on the chin over the weekend in New York. Now the have time to regroup against an Upstate Rival, that hasn't won against the Orange since 1962. Guess what, that isn't changing tonight either. Syracuse may or may not have Frank Howard back tonight, although he has practiced this week. Either way, in or out, Syracuse is going to handle Colgate, even if they get hot and hit a bunch of 3s like UConn did. Colgate has a couple of nice players, mainly Northwestern transfer Rapolas Ivanauskas, who leads the Raiders in scoring. Either way, Syracuse will have the size, and should own the boards and the paint. If they don't jack up a bunch of 3s themselves, they should pull away early. I'm taking the Orange by 24. This game will be available internet only on WatchESPN at 7:00pm. John is in the Dome. I'm at home, but won't be watching tonight due to the impending holiday. Happy Thanksgiving and go Orange!
Labels: Basketball, Preview, Syracuse Needs to Win to Make Thanksgiving Tolerable
The biggest game for SU Football in 18 years is here.
Syracuse is 8-2, ranked #12 in the nation. Notre Dame is 10-0 and #3. Syracuse has a chance to get a bid to a NY6 Bowl if they keep winning. And while Syracuse is probably overrated in terms of being #12 in the nation, they are, despite some FS1 analysts, a very good football team. So can Syracuse pull the upset, and head into their final game in the top ten?
Syracuse heads to Yankee Stadium to take on Notre Dame. I am frankly astounded if we're putting things into perspective that Syracuse is heading into week 12 with Syracuse very much in the running for a NY6 Bowl. They're ranked in the top 15. I mean... what world are we in? It honestly doesn't even seem real. Syracuse has literally had a winning record 3 times after 2001. But here we are, sitting at a guaranteed Bowl Game, and a guaranteed winning season. And now unbeaten Notre Dame heads to NY to take on the Orange. The key matchup lies with the Notre Dame defense. If they can stop the Orange attack, they'll win the game. Because as we all know, Notre Dame will break the Syracuse defense, just enough to score a few times. Syracuse will need to score more points (duh!), but Eric Dungey and the running backs will need to advance the ball and keep the Notre Dame offense off the field if SU hopes to pull the upset. The good news is Syracuse is bringing the #1 Special Teams unit in the country. With an average starting position better than their opponents, as well as their opponents starting farther back, Syracuse has a real shot in limiting Notre Dame from putting points on the board by the simple fact that thee have to move the ball more to score than Syracuse. Couple that with Szmyt being able to drill almost any field goal, and Syracuse has a real shot in putting points on the board. Notre Dame is a very good team, and may bury Syracuse early. But somehow this team is different. It isn't the regular Syracuse team that finds themselves a decent team, and able to pull an upset, but just don't show up. Syracuse actually has skill position players that can compete with Notre Dame (or Clemson for that matter). I say this often, but if Syracuse can limit the amount of big plays (or more accurately catastrophic plays), Syracuse has the chance of coming away the victor. But really, Special Teams and the offense should carry the day. How can I pick against Syracuse at this point in the year. I'm taking the Orange 37 to 35.
This game is available on NBC and the NBC Sports App (with cable login) at 2:30pm. Both John and I will be in Yankee Stadium and will probably be excited but cold. Syracuse has the potential to earn their best win in at least two decades. LET'S GO ORANGE!
Labels: Football, Notre Lame, Preview, Syracuse Needs to Win to Make Thanksgiving Tolerable
Syracuse students agree: Beating UConn is almost as sweet as a Sweet 16.
Syracuse heads to the world's most famous arena this week, for the 2K Classic. They already knocked of Eastern Washington and Morehead State in this "tournament", which is really a few games and the four big boys head to New York. Syracuse takes on UConn and Iowa plays Oregon. Winners and losers match up Friday. But Syracuse, and Orange fans are obviously first focused on UConn, one of the biggest games on the early schedule. Obviously. UConn still moves the needle with the fan base and obviously matching up in MSG takes it to the next level. The two biggest game questions are will the Syracuse scorers show up, and can the 2-3 Zone stop Jalen Adams (or any other random player that wants to try and get hot)? The answer to the 2nd question is probably easier. Syracuse will play some of their best defense of the season in New York. The 2-3 will be working, firing on all cylinders, and Chukwu will look to block a ton of shots from the middle of that Zone. Jalen Adams will have trouble getting to that 18 points he averages. The issue still remains that Syracuse needs to score more points than UConn. Brissett had a brilliant first half. Battle had a brilliant second half in the last game. That's the thing about the makeup of this team. There is someone that can score that is on the floor at all times. Syracuse, with their tough defense, will be able to get turnovers off of UConn, which should lead to some easy buckets. And so far this year, Syracuse has found it easier to get to the rim than last season which helps. What helps is that Syracuse now has a credible outside shooting threat, from Boeheim and others. This game is the biggest early test Syracuse will face (until Friday night), but even freshmen on Syracuse know this game is very important. UConn will have their runs, but this should be a nice Syracuse win. I'm taking the Orange by 13. This game is available nationally on ESPN 2 / WatchESPN at 7:00pm. John will be in the Garden. I'll be in the home office. UConn... U SUCK and GO ORANGE!
Labels: Madison Square Garden, Preview, UConn, UConn USuck
Syracuse Students agree: This team only lost to UConn by ten. Not good for UConn.
Syracuse did what it needed to do in game 1. Now Morehead State comes in to try and pull a big upset as #16 looks to continue undefeated and move on to NYC to take on UConn in MSG. AJ Hicks is the best player for Morehead. And he needs to go off if they want to stay close to Syracuse. While Frank Howard is still out and probably won't see the floor until UConn, Syracuse's defense will be as tight as ever. Eastern Washington turned the ball over a lot and only scored 34 points. Syracuse will probably hold Morehead state to a lot less points than UConn did. Look for Syracuse to keep them under 60. Either way, this should be a similar game to Tuesday. Look for Syracuse to force turnovers and get out and run. Brissett should still be active on the offensive end. And Battle should make a nice rebound and find some points on the floor. I like Syracuse by 34. This game will be internet only again. Check out WatchESPN tonight at 7:00pm.
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Thanks to all the Seniors!
Syracuse is all the way up to #13 on the nation. And one of the worst teams in the ACC is heading into the Dome for Senior Day in a primetime game on national TV. This has the potential to be an absolute bloodbath.
Syracuse heads into the Carrier Dome at 7-2 and Louisville is reeling from losing ever single one of their conference games. They have only managed to beat Indiana State and Western Kentucky. They are fresh off losing to Clemson last weekend 77 to 16. Petrino is reeling after the loss of Lamar Jackson, and apparently has no idea how to coach a team with less talent that the Heisman Trophy winner (not to mention is is personally an absolute scumbag off the field, but that's another story). I mean, I don't even feel it necessary to actually give an analysis involving skill positions, or who to watch, or what to expect. Dungey is going to run and/or pass all over Louisville, which after last weekend moved into dead last in defense in the ACC (it used to be Wake before last weekend). So for the 2nd weekend in a row, Syracuse has the chance to carve up the worst defense in the league. And Syracuse's Special Teams is still very good, made even better by no wind and playing indoors. Syracuse is going to roll in this game, and the only question is can Syracuse avoid any injuries to be as ready as possible for Notre Dame next weekend? In theory we should get a little Tommy Time in the 2nd half to rest Dungey for Notre Dame. Syracuse should be able to coast in the 2nd half. Sure, SU will give up a few big plays, but SU should have this game out of range in the 4th. No drama in this one. Syracuse over Louisville 58 to 30.
This game is available nationally at 7:00pm on ESPN 2 / WatchESPN. John will be live from the Dome. My wife is even in the Dome. I'll be doing a football game in the rain and will be watching on Saturday via DVR. But thanks to all the seniors on the team enjoying their last game in the Dome. I'll see you next weekend in New York. GO ORANGE!
Syracuse students agree: Basketball is back baby!
Syracuse takes on Eastern Washington as the season tips off. Syracuse is ranked 16th in the country, returning all five starters (although Frank Howard is listed as doubtful). But it's time to shine for the team in a real game. And while the team may not have a point guard on the floor, it hasn't mattered and won't matter in this game. As a matter of fact, if you have a hangnail you should sit this one. Because Eastern Washington isn't beating this Syracuse team. Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett will be looking to score, and we'll see contributions from a lot of other players as well. This will look like the fake games they just played. Syracuse is going to roll and you'll see a lot of great plays. The only question is who will score more points for Syracuse. Personally, I'll look to see both the big men, Paschal Chukwu and Bourama Sidibe some extensive work in the low post. Either way, Syracuse is winning by 42. This game is available on WatchESPN (yaaaay Inernet only) at 7:00pm. Both John and I will be online fighting for that first TO in the 2nd half. We'll see you out there.
Labels: Basketball, Preview
Win and stay ranked. Lose, and SU is still Bowling.
Syracuse became Bowl eligible for the first time since 2013 after beating ranked NC State last weekend. A monumental occasion. And now #19 Syracuse (so weird to type) looks to keep the momentum going and win on the road at Wake Forest. Can the dream of another week in the polls stay alive?
Syracuse makes the trip to North Carolina after beating two other teams from the state in the Carrier Dome. Now Syracuse has to show up on the road in conference to show they are legit. And they have a good chance at another win. Wake "boats" the 125th ranked defense in the nation. That means Eric Dungey and the rest of the offense is salivating at the chance to move the ball. While they are no UConn, they are only 4 teams better. That being said, Syracuse clocks in at 95 after letting NC State bend them, but not break them. Either way, the Defense that is able to make some plays, get some stops, and force some turnovers, is the team that should win this game. After all, both offenses should find some success moving the ball and finding the End Zone. The weather should be perfect for football with a 0% chance of rain. That means no excuses for the Orange. If Syracuse can find some success running the ball, that will obviously open up the passing game, and Syracuse should run away with this one. Syracuse needs to get off to a good start however. Because if they get in a hole on the road, we haven't seen this team able to get over the hump on the road. Either way, I actually have faith in Dungey after the last game. The receivers have seemed to come alive. And as long as the Offensive Line gives him a modicum of protection, I like him and the running backs to run all over the field, and connect on some big passes. If Syracuse is able to limit any big plays from Wake, and even force a turnover, this should be one that is one at least early in the 4th quarter. And don't forget about the fantastic Special Teams, and the fact the Syracuse defense is 4th in the country in 3rd Down Defense. Everything in theory should come up Syracuse. And if it doesn't, look for some Tommy Time in the 2nd half. Either way, Syracuse has the tools and the talent to win this one. Unless Syracuse fails to get off the plane, they should carve up the Wake Defense. And that will make a lot of people who voted Syracuse to finish last in the division look very silly. Don't think we forgot about you guys. Syracuse over the Demon Deacons 52 to 31.
This game is available regionally on the ACC Regional Network at 12:00pm. Check your local listings here. For everyone else, it should be available on WatchESPN. I'll be able to watch most of this one, so I'm looking forward to talking with a lot of you. John will also be in the Home Office, having survived his Saturday Primetime affair in Syracuse last weekend. This should be a fun one. GO (College Football Playoff Ranked) ORANGE!