Syracuse Orange 2021 College Football Preview
Created August 6, 2021
2020 Recap
Record – 1-10
ATS – 6-5
It was BLOODBATH CITY during the 2020 scamdemic season as the Orange managed just a single win in eleven games (Georgia Tech). We all suspected it would be a long season but it was still painful for Orange fans. To be fair, they were hit particularly hard by the plandemic.
They’re only a few years removed from a 10-win season so let’s see if there’s hope heading into 2021.
Syracuse Orange 2021 Outlook
OFFENSE
It’s hard to describe what we witnessed last year on offense. Maybe UMass fans can relate. The Orange ranked #125 in the FBS in total offense, #121 rushing, #110 passing, and #117 in scoring (17.8). Three QBs got a decent amount of work in 2020 and they hope to shake things up by getting a NEW SHOOTER to lead the offense. Mississippi St transfer Garrett Shrader comes to town and is the favorite to win the job. He showed some HOT FLASHES and is certainly mobile so we have to believe this is an upgrade. The WR group is above-average given the return of Taj Harris (58-733, 12.6, 5 TD) and Anthony Queeley. It would be very beneficial if they could find someone to stretch the field. The RB unit is sneaky-deep with the return of #1 RB Sean Tucker (626, 4 TD) and a pair of 2020 opt-outs (J Howard, A Adams). The OL has to do a much better job as they allowed 38 sacks LY (dead last ACC sacks/game) and paved the way for a pathetic net of 92 YPG on the ground.
DEFENSE
Things weren’t that much better on this side of the football LY as they allowed 464 YPG for the 2nd consecutive season (#112 FBS) and were steamrolled for 200+ YPG on the ground for (again) the 2nd straight year. Ten starters are back as well as 11/12 top tacklers so there is, in theory, hope on the horizon. The DL has to be better this yr (right?) with the return of three seniors and DT McKinley Williams does a good job inside. #1 tackler Mikel Jones returns to lead the LB unit and don’t sleep on Geoff Cantin-Arku who led the team in sacks (4) LY and was the #4 tackler. The secondary features some interesting pieces including CB Garrett Williams who had 10 (!) PBU in 2020 as a freshman. Can they overcome the loss of two NFL DC on the back end? <grabs popcorn>
SPECIAL TEAMS
They’ll need to replace their excellent P Nolan Cooney but they do bring back ALL-UNIVERSE PK Andre Szmyt who’s hit 56-65 FGA in his career with Syracuse. Also note that KR Trebor Pena took one back to the HIZZY JIZZY WIZZY LY and averaged well over 30 yards per return (7 KR). Bad news? Their STC is off to Vanderbilt.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It’s a decent non-conference slate as they face Ohio, Rutgers, and something called Albany. They get a tough draw from the Coastal division (Hokies, Pitt).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly-spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
per 5Dimes August 6
Over 3.5 +125
Under 3.5 -145
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
They have six (!) “winnable” games in the first half of the season but it gets evil in the 2nd half.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Despite being heralded as one of the best head coaches of all-time, Dino Babers has a 24-36 record with the Orange, and that includes a 10-3 mark in 2018.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This will almost certainly be a much-improved team over what we saw in 2020. There’s SNEAKY UPSIDE on both sides of the football but the ACC is pretty deep and it’s hard to find too many conference wins on paper. A bowl game would be a yuuuuge achievement. We’ll call for 4-5 wins leading to another season of BABERS BALL in 2022.
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NEWS
http://www.nunesmagician.com/syracuse-football
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