1. What is the mood amongst the Syracuse fanbase to start the season? You have a healthy QB, but then there are the admissions stories coming out, how do you guys feel about the program rn?
There’s definitely optimism among the fanbase to start the season. After Steve Angeli went down last year at Clemson, and watching the rest of the Quarterback room, the fanbase knew the season was a wash. Watching Steve last week for Orange fans was great to see, he looked like the Angeli of last year, Cuse didn’t throw the ball as much on Saturday as they have the last two seasons and that’s a credit to the production that came from the run game.
In terms of the admissions stories it definitely dampens the University as a whole, and I’m not going to say that it doesn’t affect the Athletics program, but does not affect the athletics program as much as affect the academic side of things. In terms of the Football program, Coach Brown has done a really good thing since coming in, the type of players that he’s brought in have been higher level then what we saw in the past here on the hill. New Athletic Director Brian Blair, has already brought new and fresh ideas. The program as a whole looks like it is on the right track.
2. Offensive player on Syracuse to watch?
I’m going to give you two, but the same position. Running Backs Ahmad Miller and Ju’Juan Johnson. I say Miller and Johnson because Brown brought them in the portal and are Running Backs one and two. Miller and Johnson in fall camp certainly showed that is the case. Last week Miller and Johnson were out with injuries against New Hampshire. In their absence Freshman Shavane Anderson in his first game ran for 102 yards and three touchdowns, Sophomore Tylik Hill added 91 yards and a touchdown as well. Hill and Anderson are respectively running backs three and four. So it begs the question how much better are Cuse’s one and two.
3. Defensive player on Syracuse to watch?
On the flip side edge rusher Keyshawn Johnson is a name to watch on the defense. Johnson came in from the FCS level last year where he had 13.5 sacks and was a FCS All-American at UT Martin. Johnson had caught my eye during the spring. Johnson is really quick off the line and can force JKS to have to rush through his progressions. Last week Johnson had 2.5 sacks on top of 2.5 tackles for loss against New Hampshire.
4. How do you see the game going?
Unfortunately for Cal Fans, I see this game going the way of the Orange. I think with a really established running game, the reinforcements Cuse is going to get in the running game, I can see the Bears defense giving up 200 yards on the ground similar to they way they did last week to UCLA. And when the running game gets going for SU, it becomes really hard to stop Jeff Nixon’s air raid offense that has produced national passing leaders. Defensively, Syracuse is going to provide an emphasis on stopping the run with its four man rush. JKS is going to have a tough time attacking the boundaries with Cal wide receivers being matched up with Corners Chris Peal and Demetres Samuel, who are in the top tier of the ACC as corners.
5. What does Cal need to do to win this game?
For Cal to win they have to come on the Defensive end. Being much improved in the run game has to be a focus for Lupoi’s group, if the Bears force Syracuse to be one dimensional through the air and put wide receiver Umari Hatcher on lockdown. The wide receiver group has not shown that there is someone else other than Hatcher that can hurt a defense through one week. If JKS takes care of the ball Cal will have a really good shot in a game that could turn into an offensive shoot out.
6. Whom do you most want to punch in the face? (This is a traditional question for the column; it’s open-ended, so don’t feel obligated to answer if it’s not your style)
Going to flip to another SU sport Men’s Basketball. It was announced yesterday that Duke comes to town on January 5th. They only issue with that is it’s during winter break and students will be at home and you still might get a really good size crowd, just not as much if the students were back at classes and the students always show out for Duke no matter how the team is playing. So whoever made this decision definitely has myself scratching my head.