We all knew that Syracuse was going to lose to Florida State, and we all knew that it would probably get ugly. But now that it’s over, the Orange can readjust their focus to games that they can actually win, with home games against Pittsburgh and Boston College to conclude the regular season. Despite a few lopsided losses, Syracuse is where we (somewhat optimistically) expected them to be this year: finishing the season with two home games, needing a win in at least one of them to get to a bowl game for the third time in the last four years. To ensure the Orange make it to a bowl, here are five things they need to do over their next two games:
1. Less predictable play calling – We know that running the ball is Syracuse’s bread and butter, and their formula for winning this year has been playing good defense while wearing teams out with their running game, but offensive coordinator George McDonald needs to mix up the play calling more and keep opposing defenses off balance. Syracuse needs to throw the ball when they want to and not just when they have to. If teams don’t cover up the slot receiver, the Orange can use bubble screens as an extension of their running game to get positive yards on first down and open up their playbook on second and third down. If Terrell Hunt can get in a rhythm with easy throws, he’ll be more effective throwing downfield and running the ball, which will ultimately make the Orange more effective on offense and less reliant on their defense to win games.
2. Cut down on penalties – This has been a major problem for the Orange all season long, but it hasn’t been a big deal because outside of the season opener against Penn State, none of their losses have been in close games. However, Pittsburgh and Boston College are a step up in competition from Wake Forest, Maryland, and N.C. State, so if the Orange continue to hurt themselves with pre-snap penalties and mental errors, it could be the difference between winning and losing over these next two games. They only committed three penalties against Florida State, which is a step in the right direction, but they need to make sure that lack of penalties continues the next two weeks.
3. Don’t turn the ball over – This is an issue Scott Shafer has been harping on all season, and against two opponents that are relatively equal in talent, the turnover battle will be magnified. Boston College has committed the fewest turnovers in the ACC while Pitt quarterback Tom Savage has thrown just one interception in his last six games, which means Syracuse can’t count on either of its remaining opponents turning the ball over to them the way Maryland did. That means the pressure is on the offense to match that ball security to ensure the Orange are at least neutral in the turnover ratio.
4. Pressure Pitt/Stuff B.C.’s running game – One of the keys to beating Pitt will be to put consistent pressure on quarterback Tom Savage. In two games against Syracuse as the quarterback of Rutgers in 2009 and 2010, Savage has a total of 142 yards passing and two interceptions, with his struggles due in large part to the Orange’s attacking defense. To stop Savage for a third time, Syracuse will need to get consistent pressure on him and make him uncomfortable. The game plan will be different for Boston College, as the Eagles have the ACC’s leading rusher Andre Williams, who averages six yards per carry. Williams ran for 185 yards against Syracuse as a freshman in 2010, and the Orange will have to find a way to slow him down and force Boston College to beat them through the air.
5. Get it done as soon as possible – The Orange were in this same position last year: a 5-5 and needing just one win in their final two games to get to a bowl, and instead of waiting to get an easier win against Temple in the season finale, they upset Missouri on the road and didn’t put themselves in a must-win situation. Syracuse would be better off taking care of business against Pittsburgh this week instead of running the risk of tightening up in a must-win season finale. Moreover, Syracuse has won seven of its last eight games at home, including a win over Pittsburgh last year, so they should be comfortable and confident about taking down the Panthers this week in the Carrier Dome. They should also match up with the Panthers better than Boston College, so now is the time to get the win, which will make their senior day experience a lot more enjoyable knowing that their bowl hopes have already been secured.
Bryan Zarpentine covers Syracuse Orange football and basketball for ChatSports.com. You can follow him on twitter @BZarp and @ChatSyracuse. Also, add him to your network on Google, and keep up with Syracuse at ChatSports.com/Syracuse-Orange.
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