Syracuse

[twofingers]

Take the Orange -2 over NC

SU is poised to rebound from last years diasater. Offensively, SU will be one of the better teams in the country and they will be GREATLY improved on defense. NC is headed into the basement of the ACC again, have lost seven of last eight, have no idea offensively where they are going, and have little run defense.

SU is looking for revenge from last years lost to NC in the Dome. They start the season with a very optimistic outlook for this season. They know they are a much better team then they showed last year and have had a very competitive camp. They are biting at the bit to get on the field and prove that last year was a fluke. NC on the other hand is coming another 37-0 pounding fron Fla St, and know things are not likely to get much better.

Love this one and West Virginia.

 

[twofingers]

The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Saturday, September 6th, 1:30 p.m. (et).


FACTS & STATS: Site: Kenan Stadium (60,000) -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Television: None. Home Record: Syracuse 0-0, North Carolina 0-1. Away Record:
Syracuse 0-0, North Carolina 0-0. Neutral Record: Syracuse 0-0, North Carolina
0-0. Conference Record: Syracuse 0-0, North Carolina 0-1. Series Record: North
Carolina leads, 2-1.


GAME NOTES: The Syracuse Orangemen open their 2003 campaign on Saturday in
Chapel Hill, as they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in a non-conference
tilt from Kenan Stadium. The Orangemen have to make a major U-turn this
season, as they headed down an unfamiliar road last year, going a dismal 4-8
overall and just 2-5 in Big East action. It was a major change for the program
which hadn't had a losing season in 16 years. A program synonymous with
stability and winning, had an awful campaign in nearly every aspect, but head
coach Paul Pasqualoni is an excellent teacher and motivator, and he should be
able to turn the team around quickly. The Tar Heels' 2003 season got off to a
horrendous start last Saturday, losing to hated rival and 13th-ranked Florida
State, 37-0 in Chapel Hill. North Carolina has now dropped seven of its last
eight games, dating back to last season, and could quickly be back on its way
to repeating its 1-7 record in ACC action from 2002. The Tar Heels have also
now dropped seven straight contest at Kenan Stadium, which ties a school
record. These two schools have met only three times previously, with the Tar
Heels winning twice. UNC was able to take the lead in the all-time series
after recording a 30-22 victory over the Orangemen in the Carrier Dome last
year.

The Syracuse offense will rely heavily on star tailback Walter Reyes once
again this season. Reyes finished with 1,135 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2002,
while averaging an impressive 6.2 ypc. The junior speedster is one of the best
runners inside the 10-yard line, using his quickness and elusiveness to slice
through the defense. The Orangemen will also have running back Damien Rhodes
at their disposal, as he finished with 568 and seven scores in 2002. While the
running game is in excellent hands, the passing game is still questionable
under the command of senior quarterback R.J. Anderson. Last year, Anderson
threw for just 899 yards and four touchdowns, while getting picked off eight
times. Anderson lost his starting job last season due to ineffectiveness, but
he still has the skills and playmaking ability to guide this offense if he can
put last year behind him. Receivers Johnnie Morant and Jared Jones should help
Anderson do just that, using their track-like speed and sure hands to make
plays down the field.

The Syracuse defense was abysmal in 2002 both against the pass and the run,
but the return of all four defensive linemen this season should help the team
improve in both areas. Tackle Louis Gachelin is the star of the line, as he
was able to rack up 48 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 17 TFLs last year after moving
over from the end. James Wyche and Josh Thomas are both solid ends and should
provide constant pressure on the opposition's quarterback. The Orangemen will
have to find a way to replace linebackers Clifton Smith and Jameel Dumas, who
combined for 228 tackles last season. Kelvin Smith and Rich Scanlon should be
able to pick up some of the slack, as both players are excellent tacklers who
are athletic enough to stuff the run or disrupt the pass. Syracuse was
disgraceful against the pass last season, allowing team to average over 300
ypg and unfortunately little experience returns in the secondary, as only
corner Steve Gregory was a start in 2002. Gregory is one of the best cover
corners in the Big East, but there is little help around him and that should
make for another season of long gains through the air for the opposition.

The North Carolina offense was nearly nonexistent in the loss to Florida
State, as they were shut out after running for just 72 yards and converting
only 5-of-18 third-down attempts. The Tar Heels had a carousel at quarterback,
as Darian Durant, C.J. Stephens and Matt Baker all saw time under center.
Durant finished the game 18-of-31 for 145 yards and interception, while
Stephens looked the most impressive in limited action, going 4-of-6 for 58
yards. Ronnie McGill led the team in rushing with 48 yards on 12 carries.
Durant added 22 yards on the ground after taking off from the pocket six
times. Jarwaski Pollock had the most impressive game for the Tar Heel offense,
making eight receptions for 71 yards. Mike Mason finished with five catches
for 25 yards, while Danny Rumley had 52 yards on just two receptions.

North Carolina's offense had its problems, but the defense was even more
appalling. Florida State rushed for 236 yards and passed for 317 more, while
also recording 29 first downs and averaging 7.0 yards per play. Dexter Reid
led the UNC stance, what there was of one, with eight tackles, seven of which
were solo stops. Doug Justice finished with six tackles, one TFL and a forced
fumble, while Jeff Longhany was one of the most productive players on the UNC
defense, recording 5.5 stops, three TFLs including a sack. Clay Roberson
recorded the only other sack by the Tar Heels, which was one of his two
tackles in the loss. The defense was the weakest spot for this team last
season and after Saturday's performance, their is little hope that it is
improving. The ineptitude was seen quickly in the first half, as the Heels
allowed FSU to rack up 301 yards and 18 first downs in the first 30 minutes of
action.

Syracuse had a terrible season last year, but the talent is there on offense
with Reyes and Anderson. Expect them to run and pass all over this weak North
Carolina secondary, but the Heels will put forth little resistance against the
Orangemen defense as well. A high-scoring affair is definitely in the cards,
which clearly favors the running attack of Syracuse.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Syracuse 34, North Carolina 24

 

[twofingers]

SYRACUSE ORANGEMEN O:7 D:7 (4-8)

HC Paul Pasqualoni and the Orange had their 11-year winning streak snapped in what turned out to be a nightmare of a season. They lost games late, and were killed by injuries and turnovers. This year's squad returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, and loses the lowest amount of lettermen in the league.

Their defense has to step up once again if they expect to turn things around in '03. The front wall looks stout, and has plenty of depth returning seven of eight from last season's squad. There doesn't look to be a stand out rushing end, but DT Gachelin looks to have himself an outstanding senior campaign. The LB core loses some valuable experience, and its still not clear if one of their returning starters will be back this year. The secondary can only get better after finishing close to dead last a year ago. They lose three starters from last season, but they have some competent guys filling in. I expect the Orange stop unit to improve drastically upon last year's numbers' Syracuse always has a capable defense, and I believe last season was a false impression.

The offense will be more potent this year as well with QB RJ Anderson returning for his senior season. This kid looked great in 2001, and he should be a little more fortunate this season since he has a better crop of skilled players around him. The RB core has a solid one-two punch with Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes who combined for over 1600 yards last year. They have a very experienced O-line paving their way as nine of 10 starters from last year's squad are back. The O-line paved the way for 4.3 YPC, but did give up 28 sacks. The WR core should come into 2003 very focused as they can be held accountable for many of the offenses struggles last year. I don't really need to get into it, but they were flat out awful. They return five of six WRs from last year, and I expect them to atone for their sins in a big way.

Pasqualoni's squads always seem to field a solid special teams unit, and I expect more of the same in '03.

The Orange really had a tough go at it a year ago, but I expect them to turn it around and go bowling in 2003. They have three winnable conference home games as well as three non-conference games in the Dome. Their post-season aspirations are in their hands, and I expect them to turn it around in a big way in '03.

-- Cuse is 8-2 SU & 8-1 ATS their L/10 non-conference home games.

 

[BLUELIGHT]

Whoa Nelly

Whoa Nelly

As a longtime S.U. fan and season ticket holder I hope your season prediction is correct but I strongly believe 5-7,6-6 is much more realistic. Anderson cannot throw the ball. He's a good athlete who happens to be playing Qb. They have no pass defense and Coach P. always loses one game he's not suppose to. They could be 4-0 after the first four games as they are all very winnable but 2-2 is more likely. I worry about recruiting in the future with the departure of Miami and Va Tech hurting Big East football in a big big way.

 

[ppabart]

Just a word of caution here....

Being a Tarheel alum, I follow the Heels quite close and this game scares me. It really can go either way. Darian Durant has found his favorite receiver for the year, Jawarkski Pollock. If Syracuse's pass D is suspect then the Tarheels may indeed exploit that. I think a better bet is the over. The Tarheels didn't look like they would stop a high school running attack last weekend. Hopefully that will change this week. Good luck in whatever you take...but taking a side here is like flipping coins, I think.

 

[loophole]

carolina's problem is no rushing game, and pollock is the only receiver durant can find. it doesn't take a championship caliber defense to stop a one-man offense. as you can tell, i've got to side with twofingers here. tarheels are still feeling the effects of torbush's final recruiting year, and are still forced to play youngsters as a result. probably not fair, but bunting probably gets the boot after this year's losing season.

 

[ppabart]

I'm not so sure Carolina's rushing game is in as much disarray as you think. McGill, a true freshman, showed good signs in the game against Fl St. He has good speed and seems to have a few moves to go with it. I am by no means trying to get anyone to side with UNC in this game....just pointing out that its not going to be a cakewalk for either side. The only other wildcard is that Syracuse is going to look so much easier to play against since UNC saw Florida State last week. Obviously Syracuse doesnt have the athletes that the Noles have. Throw in the fact that this is Syracuse's first game of the season too....just makes too many unknowns in this game to handle

 

[saint]

I've thought about this one for a while and agree with Ppabart. This game is really a toss up in my mind. I woke up this morning and for some reason had the feeling we are gonna win. Syracuse is a defense that relies heavily on blitzing, and their secondary is weak. UNC will throw deep on them Bunting said, just as we did last year when we beat them in NY. With the "emergence" of a runningback in Ronnie McGill there is some potential. As far as Carolina's D, it sucks and Syracuse's back should cut them up for some yardage. I think a good bet in this game is the Over...I'm not sure where you are getting a total of 52 but it's now at 54 at Pinnacle which sucks because I was hoping it would come down from that earlier in the week. In any case, on paper things might point to a Cuse win but I think it's going to be closer than most think. Also Pinnacle has the game as a pick...where did that come from?

 

[saint]

In the last 5 mins the total has now jumped to 55.5

Talk about some line movement. Damn me for hesitating

 

[loophole]

wow, saint, we sure see this game differently. i'm holding my bet waiting to play on the under. tarheels had no success rushing in any meaningful situation vs the noles. they were basicly taking volunteers at tailback during the preseason. think durant and the heels don't get shut out today but sure don't see them making any kind of offensive statement. cover pollock and you pretty well shut down carolina's passing game. what are the chances he see double coverage today? pretty damn skippy strong imo. maybe i'm just seeeing this game through wolfpack red filters.

 

[saint]

I don't totally disagree with you loop. I think there is a great chance of the game going the way you see it. I also think there is a pretty good chance we'll show up today. Not that bunting is on the hot seat or anything, but this has been 7 straight losses at home dating back to last year. He will be looking in the classifieds if the team doesn't show some improvement. My mind says syracuse but i guess today I will go with my gut.

good luck today, state has it's 1st real "test" im interested to see how they look

 

[twofingers]

Damn, what an exciting game.

SU defense played much better in 2nd half but obviously still have alot of work to do.

 

[saint]

Inept: Carolina football and coaching staff

 

[ppabart]

Congrats to the SU backers......game proved to be a total tossup