Been holidng onto this one for awhile, so bear with me folks while I vent a lil' bit. For the purposes of this rant, I'm going to pretend Nassib is joining me in my frustration*:

via cdn1.sbnation.com

*(This is not at all to be confused with a jubilant Nassib, which is nearly identical. Trust me, Ryan is very, very frustrated)

I know I wasn't the only one thinking the move the ACC was a mistake when it was announced. But I’m talking purely about timing. When announced, my first thought was "why now?" Granted, I was not a big fan of the move initially, and I’ve kept mostly too myself about it. But I’ve since warmed to it. This move proves to me that definitively, the SU athletics department is willing to do absolutely everything that is necessary to rebuild SU football. In short – you don’t get invited to the ACC (or Big 10, PAC-12, SEC, etc) if you don’t have a football program that can contribute. And our football program will certainly see the benefits – especially monetarily - when the move does happen. So please don’t take anything I’m about to say as bitterness over a losing season and losing affiliation with the conference I’ve grown to like.

But back to the timing issue. First off, it’s another distraction that we didn’t need. Not to our fledgling football program under HCDM, fresh off its first winning season and bowl win in nearly a decade. I’m not sure how much it affects the players and coaches personally, but it’s bound to influence them in all some way. Whether it’s a net positive move or not, it’s another thing to adjust to. In any case it’s a lot easier to weather storm when you’re not still in rebuilding.

Doug is also not very pleased (via cdn2.sbnation.com)

Second, it puts a target squarely on our back during conference play. Prior to the season, people liked to call out that ‘Syracuse won’t be able to sneak up on anyone like they did last year’. I thought that was a load of BS, but it seems to have proven true. I’m not saying it’s the sole reason we went 1-6 in the Big East this season, but we certainly didn’t need to give anyone in the Big East any extra incentive to beat us. Announcing the move to the ACC absolutely did.

Third, the refs. I hate blaming the refs for the outcome of a game, simply put they’re not perfect and they’re never going to be. As uncreative people like me like to say…"it is what it is". But this year bears a second look. When it was announced we’d go to the ACC, I immediately assumed at best, we wouldn’t get the benefit of the doubt from the refs. At worst they’d deliberately try to screw us. What we do know is that our team was penalized A LOT this year. My assumption is that there is a discipline problem with the team. But it’s not completely outlandish to think that the refs had it in for us as well.

After further review, video evidence confirms that Big East refs are as awful as the football conference they belong to (via cache.gawkerassets.com)

(Another interesting point regarding the refs, the [infamous] Toledo game occurred after SU announced they were going to the ACC. So that definitely doesn’t fit with my theory that the Big East refs may have been out to get us. But then again, it wasn’t a Big East Conference game. So in theory that’s not the type of game you go out of your way to screw us in, because it still benefits the Big East to have us win that game. Going forward after that embarrassment, the Big East refs took it on the chin for the XP call. I could see where the refs would be even less inclined to give us the benefit of the doubt - Especially during conference play.)

Back to my original question of "why now"? I think Syracuse and Pitt had the skids greased to jump to the ACC the moment the next round of conference realignment was initiated, so as to not pull a UConn or Rutgers and get left out in the cold. So the answer to my initial question, all of this, I believe, is due to the move by Texas A&M to jump to the SEC. If A&M decides to stay put, I believe the SU and Pitt (and WVU) stay put in the Big East as well, for the time being (If you can't go with me on this much at least, probably best to quit reading now).

Too many possibilities for this photo for it not to have it's own Caption Contest (via www.nooga.com)

But again, I ask the question of "why now"? This time directed at Texas A&M. From what I could tell, the A&M-to-SEC move was championed, if not initiated, SOLELY by the Aggies. My initial reaction to this was "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOTS!?!?!??" Number 1 reason I would be against it, I think A&M is going to fail in the SEC. But they want to be associated with the SEC for their own reasons, so whatever. Second, why would you initiate this move at the start of the season when they literally had months of nothingness over the summer to sort this stuff out? Nevermind the fact that would have made conference realignment THE story over the summer, while we're already busy making up our own fictitious conferences in our heads (or on paper, in some cases). The Aggies were ranked in the top-10 in both polls to start the season, and were set to have one of the best teams they’ve had in a long time. For all the reasons that (announcing) a move to a new conference would hurt Syracuse’s season – same applies to A&M equally as much if not more. So all I can figure is that Texas A&M wanted into the SEC so bad that they were willing to sabotage their 2011 season to do it. Which is exactly what happened. A&M rode that top-10 ranking down to a 6-6 finish and a date with Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

I think this all goes a long way to help explain the 0-5 collapse at the end of the season, but none of this intended to dismiss the fact that the 2011 SU football team was mediocre at best to begin with BTW. However, never did I believe they were bad enough to go 0-5 to close out the season, and admittedly, I have trouble accepting that now. It's completely uncanny, even for Syracuse, most especially after a 5-2 start which saw us obliterate a top-15 ranked and eventual conference champion WVU team. At the very least, there was legitimate hope that we would sustain our momentum from 2010 into another winning season and bowl appearance. A 0-5 finish was the furthest thing in anyone’s mind that point.

The last great thing Dorian Graham and the SU football team did all season, all in one photo (via media.syracuse.com)

Speaking of WVU, I’m still scratching my head as to how the hell we pulled that off. But, consider that at that point WVU had all but accepted an invite to the Big 12 at that point. Heck, they had been whoring themselves out to the SEC all along and really did a poor job at (read: made no attempt at) keeping that a secret. So I’m willing to believe that the refs were willing to call that game straight – there’s really no incentive to help or hurt either team. Plus, WVU had their own distractions to deal with breaking in Holgy and their aforementioned dalliances with moving to the SEC, they didn’t really have any extra incentive to beat us than they already did to begin with. Granted, executing a perfect gameplan on our part makes it an awful lot easier to win a football game. But the fact that we were able to embarrass WVU at the same level that the #1 team in the country did…I’m not sure I’m able to give us all the credit either.

Anyway, I know we’re looking at all sorts of reasons for the collapse at the end of this season. And I’m perfectly able to see the flaws we have internally as well. But when you consider the opposition over the last month or so, and the fact that injuries were not really an issue (And we had a bye!), I’m not able to see how that adds up to the worst losing streak of the HCDM era.

But enough of my ramblings. What does the nunes nation think?

(Wait, one more thing....for the record, about every other person in my company is a ring knocker. On that note I'd like to personally thank the Longhorns for making my Thanksgiving wishes come true:

via www.statesman.com

Have fun losing in the SEC, Agg-holes.)

Forgive me while I completely ignore the other disheartening story going on...

Phillip Thomas by all accounts is done at SU, which otherwise would be a pretty big story. First and foremost, I'm not here to discuss rumors, all I can assume is that by receiving a one year suspension from the Athletics Department, and not the iron fist of HCDM, that whatever Phil did must've been pretty bad. This is obviously a huge loss to an already struggling defense.

via media.syracuse.com

Phil is a talented player. Florida State made a late push to add Phil to their 2009 recruiting class, and from the day he started at SU, he looked to be a solid addition to the team. While having a safety lead the team in tackles is not a good sign for your defense overall, couple that with his INT total, I think he was well on his way to being named 1st team all Big East this year. Simply put, you don't get stats like that unless you're in a position to make a play virtually every time you take the field. That doesn't mean I think he was a perfect player, however. Phil perhaps is a bit hot-headed, maybe even a bit selfish, and is definitely not above trash talking opponents (or even taking a swing at them). What that means as far as individual character, and off the field behavior, who knows. Maybe he's just misunderstood. He's (or was) the Eric Devendorf of SU Football, if you will.

(There's also the disturbing fact that he was a HCDM guy, whom presumably has gone the way of Cater, Carter and Hawkes, never to play another down for SU. But that's a conversation for another day.)

Then compare Phil to a guy like Kevyn Scott. Kevyn also came to SU from Florida, except that was in 2007, spurning powerhouses such as Akron and Bowling Green to play for the Gerg. He's been around SU awhile now, and has given quite a bit to the SU Football program, and also made the most of his time at SU. He's graduated from SU with a  degree in information management and technology and is pursuing a Master's degree in information management. He's routinely been a member of the Athletic Directors honor roll and Big East All-Academic team. He's also a team leader, named a team Captain for 2011. However, save for a few good plays he's made (mostly early in the season), Kevyn's not been a great football player. Actually that's being rather kind. He's looked flat out awful at times. Having been at Syracuse for 5 years, 3 of them under HCDM and Scott Shafer, it's safe to say this is as good of a football player as he will ever be, and there's a 100% chance that at the end of this season will be the end of his football career. I feel bad in saying that, because Kevyn, otherwise, seems like a role model and stand-up guy in every aspect.

via static.foxsports.com

So the question I have is, and purely for discussion purposes, if you had to pick one, and ONLY one to be on your team, who would it be?

The obvious answer is it would be great to have a player that had the best qualities of both players, but as it is being an SU Football fan these days, we have to take what we can get. So who would you pick?

(for the record, I've enjoyed having both players at SU up until now.)

Not long ago, I made this fanpost discussing SU Football as we know it under HCDM. This came just prior to that incredible win over WVU, one in which we may need to savor for a long time, because there sure hasn't been much positive to talk about since then.

via cdn1.sbnation.com

Anyway, the reason I'm re-visiting this topic of ball security is because, during that fanpost, I made the following statements:

- [under HCDM] SU is 10-1 in games they win the turnover battle. Average margin of victory for those wins is 14. The one loss was to PSU in 2009, which SU finished +1 on the turnover board but -21 on the scoreboard

and

- So If the 2011 offense isn't going to blow people out or convert extra possessions into points, the least they can do is hang onto the ball, right? Secure the football, win the game. Point blank, period.

Regarding that 2nd statement, SU actually did all of those things versus WVU - blew them out, converted a Geno Smith INT into a TD, secured the football (zero turnovers) and won the game. PBP.

What's happened since then is rather uncanny. SU now sits at 11-4 in games they win the turnover battle. Meaning, in the last they've managed to do what had previously occurred only once under HCDM: Lose a football game in which they won the turnover battle. Not once, not twice even, but THREE TIMES IN A ROW.

The point of this is not to vent, or pour salt into open wounds, but this truly highlights to me just how much this offense has failed the last 3 games.

Wait, let me back up. The defense and special teams have had their share of gaffes too. They also are not absolved of their sins. But after the Wake game to start the season, I think many of us knew the offense would need to carry the load this season. In the 5 wins, the offense did (minus Rhode Island but...y'know whatever, it was Rhode Island). In the 5 losses, the offense did not. So here we are.

Now against UL I was willing to accept this as a mere anomaly. I mean, we were only +1 in turnovers. That's not going to make much of a difference when you're getting dominated in every aspect of the game.

Versus UConn, I started second guessing myself. The defense managed 5 turnovers (5!!!!!!) and SU finished +2 on the day, and STILL lost. Maybe I'm making this turnover thing out to be more than it really is.

Then, versus USF, we again finish +1 on the day. That turnover was created by the defense AND literally took a TD off the board for USF. That should have been the game-changer. Or coulda. Or woulda. Whatever.

via media.syracuse.com

For those keeping count (which is probably only me), the margin of defeat in games in which we win the turnover battle stands at 16.5. For this season alone, it's 14.67.

I don't know about you, but to me that means we're getting straight up dominated. Badly.

Even worse, the offense has only managed one, miserable, failed FG try out of the last 7 turnovers the D has given them. ZERO points. For perspective, we're more likely to score points if we tell the opposing team "Thanks for the ball, but could you just go ahead and kick it to us instead?".

I supposed that it's a good thing that in all but two games this season, the offense has done a good job at not coughing the ball up. Incredibly, we're +8 in turnovers (20/12) on the season. But that's not enough. As I also mentioned in the previous fanpost, the 2010 offense, was not good, but was EXCEPTIONAL at converting extra possessions into points. The 2011 offense is also exceptional. If today is opposite day.

The 2011 offense has converted 3 TO's into points (3 TDs, 0 FG), batting 15% in that category, or 1.05 points per turnover. Compared to 2010, who turned 13 of 17 TO's into points, batting 76%.

This has got to stop. I will agree all day that our kicking game sucks, our special teams coverage has been worse, and the defense needs to get better. But given what we lost in those two phases of the game, this was expected.

We expected this offense to be better, and that they'd NEED to be better in order to win. Even if just a little bit. Clearly, they are not. I'm not going to firebomb Nate Hackett for this or call for his head. I actually think that the Pinstripe Bowl and the performance versus WVU have given us a glimpse of what to look forward to, once HCDM & Co have a majority of their players as juniors and seniors, versus having to work with leftovers from the GRE. I'm okay with that, but the problem is, they might not get to see that day. This run-it-up-the-middle 8 times in a row because "we're a power running team (dammit)" is exactly the type of mentality that got Coach P&D fired. So keep doing what you're doing, Nate. Maybe you can coach at UConn someday too.

In short, we need to play to our teams strengths and the other teams weaknesses. The last 3 games have looked like carbon copies of each other on offense. Start by pounding the ball up the middle, then pray we can make a comeback through the air. It hasn't worked. It WON'T work versus Cincy or Pitt either.

I will also say that the coaches have not adapted well to the loss of PTG either. PTG is still our 2nd leading rusher and hasn't played since Toledo. That's all you need to know about AAM and Jerome Smith.

For next season, can we please get a PTG a chaperone? That guy has gotten mono, been stabbed multiple times and now broken his collarbone. Has their been a guy that's been more accident prone off the field? For the record, I think he has the tools to be a fantastic player.

But all is not lost. We still have these last two games to salvage a successful season. We just need to win 1. Cincy lost their starting QB. Pitt is beatable, though we've not beaten them in ages. On top of that, we have a week off. Kitchen sink mode needs to start NOW.

Ok, so by now you either find these fanposts really interesting or really lame  and annoying. And initially I wasn't going to do any more of these until the end of the Football season...but hey, we had a bye week so I'm recharged and invogorated.

This actually has less to do with SU Football history and more to do with the HCDM era as we know it now. And if we've been paying been any attention to what Scott Shafer has been saying in that time, we know stats are for losers. But there's one stat I've been paying attention to since HCDM & Co it's this: Turnovers. or Ball Security. Fumblitis. Dyshawn Davis blowing up ol' what-his-face. Whatever you want to call it.

(via IntersportChicago)

I'll stick with Ball Secruity. Infamous words, I know. I think I heard the coaches utter those words to each other in some way shape or form at least half a dozen times during the ESPNU special (I could be wrong, but I think I heard those words emphasized to actual SU players only once though...by Rob Moore). In any case, let me get to the numbers.

31 games deep in to the HCDM era:

- SU is 10-1 in games they win the turnover battle. Average margin of victory for those wins is 14. The one loss was to PSU in 2009, which SU finished +1 on the turnover board but -21 on the scoreboard

- SU is 2-10 when losing the turnover battle. Average margin of victory was 14.5 as a result of beating Akron by 26 and Rutgers by 3 in 2010 (more on those wins later). Margin of defeat in those 10 losses is 18.1.

- SU is an even 4-4 when coming out equal on TO's. Average margin of victory was 6.5, while the average margin of defeat was 4.1. 3 of the 4 OT games of the HCDM era resulted in even turnovers for both teams.

While 31 games is somewhat of a small sample size, these numbers tend to show that the (overstated) football factoid/saying that the team that wins the TO battle generally wins the game applies to HCDM's brand of SU Football as well.

So now that I've had my Captain Obvious moment for the day, let me explain more why I believe this to be such an important topic for the team. Let's take this one season at a time.

Continue reading this post »

This is the fanpost where I blatantly ignore the really really really big story regarding Syracuse and selfishly focus on my own adventures for the weekend, in case you're interested.

Honestly I've been trying to be as positive as possible going into our game yesterday. In truth, objectively I believed that we had as much a chance at coming out victorious as we did during our trip out West LAST season. Might sound like cheap words now, but I didn't post this anytime before the game because I thought people would take it as negativity. There was/is no reason to be negative about this team or this game, all this loss means is that we won't be playing for a BCS championship. The opportunity to win was there last night too. IMO, we let USC off the hook. Maybe this is just more of my optimism speaking, but from a guy who was there this didn't have the feeling of a 3 TD beat-down, and I've witnessed my chare of beat-downs. Without further adieu:

The GOOD

- "Team bloodyyank44" had a blast at the game, even though we lost by a wide margin. My wife and I were invited to partake in a game of flipcup with some random, yet REALLY friendly/drunk out of their minds Syracuse fans as we walked into the stadium. I got in a couple rounds in before we had to politely make our escape way into the coliseum. Sat next to a Dean at SU who claimed to be good friends with HCDM, had an AWESOME pre-game conversation with him. Also sat next to parents of a current SU Lax player, so it was cool talking with them too. The group in front were late 90's alumni, asked if I knew some character named The Glaude. CLASSY bunch. SU was tremendously well respresented at this game.

 - Ok now to the game. My God, we have a QB. I know the final score wasn't close, but I thought Nassib had himself a fine/decent afternoon given the task he had to accomplish. I can't say I feel the same about the rest of the offense (more on that later). The only play I question his decision making on was that run he fumbled on the last drive. We all wanted another TD, but mostly to make ourselves feel better about the inevitable outcome. No reason to put yourself at risk of an injury to only get a few more yards up the middle during garbage time. We need you healthy all season, Ryan.

- Great job by the offense to put up points on the opening drive. That Dean I was sitting next to mentioned that HCDM had been preaching all week about how USC likes to psyche other teams out, so it was good to move the ball and come away with a score right out the gate. Glad Kraut also had a chance to shake the rust off and connect.

- Speaking of QBs, who knew the 2nd best arm on the team belonged to ALEC LEMON. Holy s**t that got the SU section going. Nice catch by Chew in the end zone too. All of this took place right in front of the USC student section and band.

- After the TD, nice response by the D to shut down USC on their next drive. The momentum was all SU at that point...

- Saw lots of Deon Goggins jerseys in the SU section. Glad he got his named called a few times. Seemed like he had an ok day. Nice to see Mikhail pick up that fumble late too.

- Plenty of nice hits by the defense yesterday. Woods may have had a nice day, but seeing him lose his lid was NICE. Forgive the term, but I've seen flashes of that defense we had last season. I think they'll be ready once conference play begins.

- It was tough to tell from where I was sitting, but I thought the O-line did a better job of protecting Nassib, and though he didn't get as many opportunities, Bailey looked better running the ball than he did vs. Rhode Island. Liked that we got more passes Bailey's way, I think that's what makes him a special back.

- I also thought Provo had a good game. I know there's some Provo haters out there, but the guy is a solid TE. We WILL miss his contributions to the offense next year, IMO.

- I never got the feeling that SU let up on USC no matter how far down they got. Proof to me is that sack of Barkley at the end of the game, when USC should have been taking a knee. The D could have let them walk right into the end zone, and instead said F**K NO, ASSHOLES right back to the Trojans. That play, and this game, should serve as good locker room/motivation material for when we face USC on the east coast.

- I really don't like seeing players getting hurt, but I wouldn't have minded it if Barkley got dinged on that play. Not enough to KO his season, but enough to make Kiffin s**t his pants.

- Speaking of Mr. Barkley, no doubt he is a phenominal QB with an NFL career ahead of him. But, for arguements sake, if Nassib had Barkley's supporting cast, would Nassib really look a whole lot worse? I wouldn't trade our team for anything, but it's an interesting point to ponder.

- Offense did a good job hanging onto the ball. USC's D might not be a bunch of ball hawks, that deserves credit.

The BAD

- Obviously, 38-17 is not the outcome we hope for. This loss is to this team what the UW was to last years team. Sucks to wake up the next day knowing your team had lost the day prior.

- USC's band is as annoying as advertised and then some.

- Our secondary looked God-awful, but they were not help by the D-line one bit. You can't let Barkley have all day and throw with the WR's he's got; you've got to find a way to get in his face early and often or else he'll put the bal wherever he wants to, and everywhere we aren't. Didn't happen, and we missed Chandler. Needed him to give the D a chance.

- Need the defense to get healthy. I was happy with how our bye weeks laid out this year, and will still be happy if we can win the next 3 games. But our D needs a week off to lick its wounds. Guess we'll need those bye weeks even more during Big East play, I s'pose. 

- Before the game I said the offense needed to pick up 1st downs, move the ball effectively into Trojan territory whether the drive ended in a TD or not. They did that. But I counted several times this offense beat itself. Penalty here, dropped pass there, players tripping over their own feet. Needed a few more of those drives to end in points to have a chance. Especially that drive after the Lemon TD pass in the 3rd Q. The momentum was there. Put points on the board there, and we're right back in it.

- Defense also beat itself. I'll get to the refs in a minute, but some of those penalties were just DUMB and set up scoring drives for USC that should have ended in a punt. The opening TD drive, especially. That set the tone for the defense for the rest of the game. I'm not going to pick on the secondary. Last night bas bad enough. - Tough game for Raupers. Why is Fisher not the starter again?

- Where oh where are these talented WR's and RB's I've been hearing about? Glad Dorian and Prince got a chance, but where's Moore? Smith? Fleming? West? Buehler?

- I would rather have had the ball first in the 2nd half. But being what it was, opening drive didn't necessarily NEED to be a TD in a game like this. Except I'm of the opinion that when you get the ball inside the opponents 5 going in...yeah, that needs to be a TD every time. We played ourselves back to a FG try. Wasn't happy with the play calls either.

- Speaking of which, I keep hearing that this is a run-first offense. I don't buy that. We play with mainly one back the whole game. Our strengths are with the passing game...for now. Lets play to our strengths. Get Bailey the ball out in space early and often, then let him take it up the gut.

- Oh yeah, the refs. May sound like sour grapes, but dammit, in a game like this you need a few breaks. Not saying we need most definitely needed MORE breaks than USC got, but yeah, it was all USC this game.

- Speaking of USC, is their a more classless school/program/fanbase in all of America? They definitely we're afraid to mix it up with some SU fans.

Everything else:

- The Coliseum is a simply phenominal venue. It's easy to see why USC has no trouble recruiting, based upon being inside that stadium. It still feels like a pro venue. Getting to see Nassibs melon blown up on that jumbotron was a nice touch. Looked cool as the other side of the pillow, as they say.

- That being said, I know some people were questioning the need to play this game/series. I personally am all for it for this reason alone: I believe (some) of these players will be playing in a BCS bowl game at some point in their college careers. When they do, it won't be the first time they've taken the field on one of the biggest stages in all of college football against a top-tier opponent. And in all liklihood, when that happens, the opponent will be packing in more fans than we will.

- I know this was said already, but it was too great not to say it again. Towards the end of the game a ref called USC South Carolina not once, but twice in a row on separate play stoppages! Also, I dunno if it was audible on TV, but one ref clearly got in the huddle/on the sideline with USC on their last possession and (with his mic still on) said "you've got a big lead, let's not have any bulls**t". Obviously Kiffin didn't listen.

- Last years D averaged 30.3 pts vs (non-BE) AQ teams, the worst being 41 to Washington. This year they are averaging about a FG worse at 33.5. Last nights 38 pts obviously being the worst so far. So not a tremendous difference. The 29 given up to Wake Forest is the least they've scored so far. The Deacs are now 2-1. Maybe I'm reaching for that silver lining, but I think with the combination of speed, youth and Scott Shafer we have, we'll get there.

- Glad SU made this trip, if only for selfish reasons. This will likely be the last SU sporting even for me in awhile. I'll fanshot some photos later, when I get the chance to upload.

Continue reading this post »

Okay, this is the part where I keep drinking the Kool Aid, continue to ignore our record on the west coast and anything negative that has happened regarding SU Football team over the last two weeks.

Sean pointed out that we do amazing things when least expected. So I'll prove him right by pointing out, it generally happens once a season (!!!) Lets go back over the last 20 years of SU football.

1991: #16 Syracuse 24, #25 Ohio State 17: Ok, not exactly an upset. But any win over the Buckeyes is a great win. SUCK ON THAT, HERBIE. (By the way, about that hat. The worlds biggest doucebag called and...wait, that's you)

Continue reading this post »

 ...in 2015

Wait, that was shocking tidbit of intel I just released there, I'm supposed to preface stuff like that with a spoiler alert.

SPOILER ALERT!

No good? Okay, well lets just get this over with. A few notes before we get started:

- This post isn't focused on the composition of Syracuse football teams since 1987, like the previous two. I'm instead looking at win % for individual seasons.

- This post is less bulletized and more wordy and more graph-y in order to present the data available.

- I wouldn't suggest using any of this to win your next argument at the bar. But to nerds like me, this is neat-o stuff.

Myth #4: Forget about being elite, Syracuse won't ever ever ever have great College Football team ever again.

I've had this message drilled into my head since my freshman year at SU in 2000, and if you spent 5 minutes at syracuse.com, I'm sure you've read it as well. The reasoning behind this myth ranges from everything that's occurred on the football field at Syracuse to the weaking economy to the sh***y weather and everything in between. The truth is: No one really knows what the future holds. (That was an Earth-shattering revelation there, huh?)

via www.theheismanwinners.com

It's often been said that College Football is cyclical. Even the greatest of programs have had their dark eras, only to rise up an dominate again. Certain programs recently have risen up out of nothingness and general ambiguity to compete at the highest levels of the college game as we know it today. And this life cycle seems to apply to each program in it's own unique way. Yes, even Syracuse. And if we've learned anything from watching Batman movies, we all know the night is always darkest just before the dawn

Continue reading this post »

 - Syracuse is 2-0.  I don’t care how we got there, that feat deserves recognition, period. Except I'm not done yet. The last time 2-0 happened the current SU players were in grade school.  Our boys could easily be and ugly 1-1 or 0-2 rather than an 'ugly' 2-0. Maybe the team isn't that good or maybe they are. Lets keep the jump to conclusions mat in the closet for a few more weeks.

- The Wake Forest game was ugly for SU for 3 ½ quarters, but maybe the Deacs are not such a shabby team after all. I watched them thoroughly handle NC State Saturday (much the same way they handled us), except this time Tanner Price and his team stayed upright in the 4th quarter to hold on for the win. They have every look of being a bowl team.

- Then there’s Rhode Island. Okay, I’m not going to make excuses for our team, but we’re not the first AQ team to struggle with an FCS opponent. Pitt barely got by those pesky Black Bears. Clemson struggled with Wofford. WVU was trailing Norfolk St. at the half. Oregon St lost to Sac St. last week. And we all remember App St. taking down Michigan in the big house just a few seasons ago, and JMU beating up the Hokies in Blacksburg just last season – they would start the season in an 0-2 tailspin and go on to win the ACC. Anyway, all I’m saying is we’re not the first decent team to struggle in this type of game, and we won’t be the last. Doesn’t mean we have a bad team...yet.

- You can’t tell me this SU team (and the coaches) weren’t looking ahead to next week’s date with USC. I had a hard time buying it this week when HCDM said they weren’t treating Rhode Island differently. After watching Saturday’s game, I’m definitely not buying it. Our team looked thoroughly unprepared for the 4 quarter slugfest that took place. It was written all over their faces and in their body language. They know they're better than this. But I'll go ahead and agree with HCDM that they're still not good enough to hang their head over winning a football game...yet.

- What good does blowout out an FCS team do us anyway? We get to rest our starters and get meaningful playing time for the back-ups en route to what should be an easy win and that’s about it. Instead, our team has battled through adversity two consective weeks straight and emerged victorious both times. That’s something that last years team didn’t do, not to mention the 5 SU teams before them. And plenty of players that don't normally see the light of day saw meanigngful PT vs. Rhode Island on bother sides of the ball. Just ask Michael Acchione.

via media.syracuse.com

- Look at what happened to Rutgers, Cincy and UConn Saturday. Do you think having blown out NC Central, Austin Peay and (insert whoever the hell UConn beat up on here) in week 1 helped them prepare for tough AQ matchups in week 2? Nope. I’m sure each one of them would rather be an ‘ugly’ 2-0 over being a lukewarm 1-1.

Looking Ahead to USC

- We can beat USC. As a guy that’s been paying way too much attention to the Trojans for the last two weeks, I can tell you honest to God that they’re having many of the same problems we are with supposedly assloads more talent. It's shocking in a way. They also are lucky to be 2-0. They also have a QB that’s put the offense on his shoulders both games and won. Their running game still has questions, and their passing attack is similar to ours. Their O-line is a mystery. Their defense does just enough.

- Maybe USC they didn’t screw around with an FCS team in either week, but Minnesota and Utah are hardly world beaters and took USC down to the final drive before succumbing. The Trojans are two big plays away from being 0-2, and for some perspective, Minnesota just lost at home to New Mexico St. and Utah didn't exactly run up the score on Montana St. in week 1.

- Syracuse also played better AWAY from the Dome last season. I still don’t buy that the Dome is a disadvantage to our team, but what the hell, maybe it's what our team needs in order to focus this week. If that proves true, I’ll be much more worried about our date with Toledo than USC.

- From what I can tell so far, Syracuse has better coaches across the board. Simply put our coaches do more with less. Kiffin and USC do the opposite. Scott Shafer is no stranger to the Pac-10 (er...12) either. For better or for worse, HCDM's teams generally have played to the level of their competition. I believe the same will hold true this week.

- People like to say "USC is still USC". I’m here to tell you this is a much different program than they were even 3 years ago and their fans know it. That being said if they blow us out, please feel free to print this fanpost and use it for toilet paper. But this Syracuse fan just paid $120 for two tix plus flight to watch his beloved Orange play, and I'll be damn happy to make it to this game no matter what the outcome.

and God does it feel good just to say that much. That SU is 1-0 (dare I say knocking on the door of 2-0 for the first time in ages), the Big East is 8-0 - I could not be much happier with this weekend's outcome. That being said, there was plenty more to see this weekend...so here's my observations of a few of the games I caught.

Auburn 42, Utah St 38

via cdn0.sbnation.com

I actually kinda felt bad for Wake Forest when they lost to us. I mean, they played a respectable game vs our beloved Orange, but missed on some key opportunities that ultimately doomed them. That being said, I can't imagine a worse hangover than what Utah St. must be going through. They came out and played as perfect a game as could be expected for week 1 on the road, only to choke away a 10 pt lead in the final few minutes. It was pretty dissappointing to watch, and while I generally root for the underdog/hate Auburn, that game really has no effect on our season whatsoever. And Pat Dye is still a pussy, so there's that.

USC 19, Minnesota 17

Got to watch 3/4 of this game flipping back and forth between USF/ND. Believe it or not, I was rooting for USC to win. Only because I think it benefits us more to have both SU and USC undefeated when we face each other in a couple weeks. But I was hoping for an ugly, squeaker of a win and that's exactly what we got.

via cdn1.sbnation.com

Lane Kiffin opted to keep his kicker on the sideline after the first two TDs, and almost paid dearly for it. Maybe Minn. wasn't much a threat to score on their last drive, but keep in mind USC was supposed to DOMINATE this game (21 pt favorites, I believe). Like every season, it is painfully obvious they have assloads of talent up and down the depth chart. Matt Barkley is as good as advertised and has me extremely worried, given how Price to Givens made our secondary look like a JV squad...I don't even want to think about what Barkley/Woods is like. USC is also bigger up front and appears to be the more physical team. But like last season also, they are still as inconsisent as hell, failed to put an inferior team away, and I'm as optimistic as I was a week ago that our Orange can give the Trojans a game on their own turf. Maybe USC is just unfocused and doesn't like to take anyone seriously these days, but give Minnesota tons of credit for hanging in there, and I'd say we're at least as good as they are, no reason not to expect us to hang with USC for 4 quarters (...right?)

I'm not going to predict an Orange victory in a couple weeks, but, mark my words USC will lose to a team it should beat handily this season, so I have to ask, why not us?

USF 23, ND 20

Got to watch the first half this game, the better half for USF. Give their defense all the credit in the world for pulling this out. USF still has tons of speed on both sides of the ball, and while BJ Daniels didn't play a perfect game, he didn't lose the game for them either. I see USF's offense still as a work in progress, but I'd agree you can't really call them a dark horse for the conference title either; they're as legit as anyone in the Big East. Definitely a great win for the conference this week and another great program-building win for the Bulls.

via www.bigeast.org

Bonani also looked good kicking FGs, missing a 50+ yarder but making all the rest, including a 49 yarder. In contrast, NDs kicker botched a makable attempt, which proved to be the difference in the final score.

But overall, I didn't see anything out of the Bulls that was totally unexpected. This was a great win and I take nothing away from that, but they simply took care of business where ND did not. That thought could also be applied to the Big East as a whole. There were a lot of great performances, but given the competition nothing I saw has me shaking in my boots...yet.

Continue reading this post »

Now that I've given the great state of NY its due, it's time to look outward and onward. Next up, I'm looking at the out of state players. A couple things first off:

- Out of state players make up the majority of every single SU football roster in this sample. Not even the Great Wall of GRob could change that.

- It's impossible to build a database that is both 100% complete and 100% accurate without investing MASSIVE amounts of time and effort. Even SUathletics.com isn't 100% accurate. This study incorporates several sources, and errs on the side of completeness.

- This discusssion focuses on the same 25 year sample as the previous discussion involving NY players.

via blog.syracuse.com