Good start to the year...nice to enter Saturday 2-1 before the noon games ...I mean the 9:00 game starts.
Last game added for week one:
Northwestern
@ Syracuse PKEh, completely missed the earlier numbers where Cuse was a 1 or 2 point dog.
I couldn't figure this damn defense out...why the complete breakdown last year. There was a story a couple days ago in a local paper that describes how extensive the injuries were on defense.
https://dailyorange.com/2012/08/hidden-wounds-after-a-slew-of-unpublicized-injuries-derailed-syracuse-last-year-the-program-makes-adjustments-to-stay-healthy-in-2012/
So the story...and the line moves...let me know know I'm on the right track.
So...what will Cuse fans be looking out for today?
Nassib - Take some shots, kid. Throw the ball 45 yards down field a couple times. Nassib was coached to not leave the pocket last year. that completely changes this year. He won't be Cam Newton...he'll scramble and probably get a good 35 yards a game. 35 yards (on average) is a good amount to expect. (Taking sacks into account...)
RB - Is Jerome Smith able to break one long? Can he get thru the DL and outrun the NW secondary? Probably not, he's still a run between the tackles guy. I do like this matchup because NW has new DT's this year. Prince Tyson-Gulley is the speed guy but fumbled a lot last year. The story in today's local paper is that he cured his fumble issue and now the staff has confidence in him. we'll see. Ashton Broyld. He has to be a star from day 1. It's expected by Cuse fans and the coaching staff. No pressure, kid.
WR - Sales...rusty? Lemon...100% healthy? Kobena - star at kick return last year can he step up and be a star in the WR corp? Depth? Also, TE depth? TE is an important part of Marrone's offense. If there's no talent/depth then he's only running 1/2 his offense scheme.
OL - We need that smiley face that throws up.

(This smiley is as close as Covers allows.) OK, questions. Everything. Will they open holes for the rb corp? Will they give Nassib the time to take shots downfield? Will Nassib be scrambling as part of the play or running for his life? The OL is the reason the QB position has to be mobile.
I expect a lot of quick passes...shotgun formation...so he has an extra second to pick up the rush.
DL - OK, Markus Pierre Paul, you're the new JUCO speed guy. Good luck getting your hands on Colter. If he can sack this QB a couple times, Big East QB's will be a walk in the park.
DT - I actually like the DT spot...full of big, fat 300+ guys...about 6 of them. They are interchangeable...probably won't get to the QB but they'll be fresh in the 4th quarter. I expect this spot to get into the backfield late in games because of the fresh legs.
LB - Full of fast guys over 6 feet tall. "Good range" is the right phrase to describe this group. Will be good in pass coverage. Now if they were 240 lbs instead of 214, 220 and 230. I still don't like them vs 215 pound RB's.
DB - Senior CB Anderson is a lock at one CB. Who steps up on the other side? Soph Brandon Reddish, frosh Julian Whigham or frosh Wayne Morgan. Coaching staff loves these guys. CB will be strong and deep...in 2014. This year, however, very young.
Safties: Jeremi Wilkes embodies the Syr D: Tough but 5-9, 189. I'm looking to see how many snaps his backup, Eskridge gets. Wilkes may not end the year in the starting lineup.