Published on 9.26.2020 by Brian Harrison
Look at this yellow bastard.
Syracuse is in the unusual position of playing only ACC games to start their season, and in one big ACC division. That hasn't fared well so far. But Syracuse now has the opportunity to get a win against a team they don't play often in Georgia Tech.
Babers during the week has said that Tommy DeVito is still the starting QB, and he should be good to go after taking a big hit at Pittsburgh. But Rex Culpepper will be playing at some point. Hopefully that will be throwing dime touchdown passes and not whatever wildcat bullshit in the Red Zone they tried to previously run. Either way, Syracuse will have to score on offense, and stop the G'Tech rushing attack on defense. While everyone knows Syracuse's offense is the worst in the league, thus they are 0 and 2, G'Tech is more of a mystery. They stunned FSU in their opener, but then got smoked by UCF last week. So no one really knows what this G'Tech team is made of. However, if Syracuse is unable to stop the run in the 4th quarter, this one will get out of hand fast like UNC. Syracuse will need to key in on the dual threat of QB Jeff Sims and bottle him up, as well as Jahmyr Gibbs, who leads the Yellow Jackets in all purpose yards. If Syracuse is able to do that for four full quarters, then they have a shot. Putting more than 1 TD on the board, and scoring in the Red Zone would go along way as well. Plus there is some pride on the line to not lose the first game after the new Dome roof has been put on. I do think Syracuse shows up in this one, but it will be tighter than we all want. Syracuse over G'Tech 27 to 17.
This game is available regionally (but not in a big part of Upstate, NY) at 12:00pm. Check your local listings
here. Otherwise, it should be available either on the ESPN App, or the Fox Sports App. Both John and I will be watching from home, of course as no fans are allowed in the new open Dome. But here's hoping for a brighter Saturday for us all. GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Football, Preview
Published on 9.19.2020 by Brian Harrison
Eject the offense into the sun.
Labels: Crying Child
Published on by Brian Harrison
A classic matchup in strange times.
Syracuse lasted as long as expected against a pretty high powered offense with UNC last week to open the season. Syracuse is just about equally as unmatched according to the odds makers this week, as well as Pitt being ranked #25. Will Syracuse be able to pull an upset at Hines?
Syracuse heads into the game after a fairly dismal outing last week, at least in terms of offense. Tommy DeVito was unable to find the end zone and started off poorly. He settled into some really good throws, and made some plays to extend some drives, but he was bad in the Red Zone (at least half due to bad playcalling), and the offensive line didn't help him. Not to mention the fact that the defense had no reason not to go all in as no rusher was able to be a credible enough threat to move the ball to help him out. Either way, Syracuse was unable to find the end zone. I expect two adjustments in this game from last week. I expect better play calling by Syracuse in the game, but especially in the Red Zone. And next, I expect improvement from DeVito on throws. That is, if he manages to have time to throw. I don't expect any breakthroughs in the running game after the two top backs for the year opted out of the season. Either way, even if the defense plays another 3 great quarters like they did against UNC, it's unlikely unless Syracuse has a two score lead heading into the 4th quarter, Syracuse is again likely doomed. And the odds that happens is low. While Syracuse will again likely hang in for the first half, I think this will be a second half that is all Pitt. Panthers over Syracuse 37 to 16.
This game is again a good old nooner on The ACC Network. John and I will again be in the home offices. Send along any rules questions during the game as per usual. Enjoy as much as you can and GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Football, Pittsburgh, Preview
Published on 9.12.2020 by Brian Harrison
Since 2020 has been horrible, Orange::44 brings back the old tradition of the crying child.
Labels: Crying Child
Published on by Brian Harrison
Welcome to football in 2020.
It's not the year we thought it would be. Syracuse and everyone on the planet is dealing with a pandemic, still raging in the US. But somehow they're playing college football. Orange::44 didn't give our typical ACC preview, because like a lot of people, we have no idea how this is gonna go, or if it will even finish. What we do know, is that they're playing a game between Syracuse and UNC today in college football that will allegedly count. And Syracuse is a major underdog.
Syracuse has already had some opt outs for the season in key offensive spots. But really, the biggest fix needed for 2020 was the offensive line. By all accounts, they are young, but should be better. The main question is... how much better? And frankly, it's not looking good. While they should provide QB Tommy DeVito a little more time to throw this season, I'm guessing he's gonna get roughed up along the way. UNC is looking like the class of their division (even though there aren't any divisions this season). UNC QB Sam Howell will be looking to prove he's able to dominate. So this will actually be a pretty fun QB dual to watch today. But UNC should have more pieces of the puzzle on both sides of the ball, compared to Syracuse. While I think Syracuse will put up a decent fight, UNC will pull away in the 2nd half pretty significantly. UNC over the Orange in the road opener 41 to 27.
We're a long ways away from me listening to Syracuse take on UNC from my car radio at Skytop in 2003. But not by much. This game is on the ACC Network at 12:00pm (I still recommend YouTubeTV). Both John and I will be watching from our respective home offices. Stay safe, enjoy as much as you can, and GO ORANGE!
Labels: ACC, Football
