The second entry into the Big East Preview is Syracuse. This part is written so I can center the picture. West Virginia was previewed here.
Coach: Syracuse is led by second year head man Doug Marrone. His record at Syracuse is 4-8. He was a top coach on the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Marrone left last season, and the Saints won the Super Bowl. Coincidence? No. Marrone is a virus that ruins everything he touches. I kid Cuse fans. Marrone has changed the losing culture of Syracuse football. That’s evidenced by the fact Syracuse wasn’t picked last in the Big East for the first time since 1928. Marrone is the offensive coordinator this season as well.
QB: The man executing the plan will be sophomore Ryan Nassib. Nassib saw limited action a year ago as Greg Paulus’ understudy. Nassib was 36-68, 422 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT. Nassib played well in bursts, good games against Cincinnati, Rutgers and UConn, but in some extended time played horribly, West Virginia, and especially Pittsburgh. His back up is redshirt freshman Charley Loeb. He’s left handed.
RB: This piece changed a lot since it was originally written and lost. Star Delone Carter was brought back into the fold after an offseason assault. Carter had 1,021 yards and 11 TDs to go with a receiving TD. Carter coming back is pretty big for the Orange. Especially now that back up Averin Collier has been ruled ineligible. He has time to get things squared up according to the handsome Nunes Magician, but who knows how these things turn out. Antwon Bailey is expected to be the back up now, and was the lead back during the spring. Bailey is short, 5’8, but had 312 yards and a TD last season.
WR: The receivers are led by Alec Lemon, who’s cousin is Liz. Lemon is a sophomore, who caught 29-295-1 TD. Lemon has some big expectations on him, as he’s expected to be the man to fill the void of Mike Williams. Lemon had a huge game, 9-140-TD, against UConn that has helped reinforce the notion he could be good. Van Chew is listed as the other starting WR. Chew caught only 6-66 last season. His name is pretty awesome though, so there is hope. The top leading receiver is junior Marcus Sales, who hauled in 28-324-3 TDs. Sales also had his best game against UConn. Aaron Weaver is listed as the 4th man. He’s a senior transfer from Hofstra. Weaver had 63-797 at Hofstra, but who knows how that will transfer over to big time college ball. Or whatever Syracuse plays.
TE: The Syracuse tight ends are both juniors. Like the wide receivers, they aren’t terribly experienced with catching the ball. Nick Provo is coming off a knee injury, but has recovered enough to be the starter. He’ll probably play some H-back as well from the things I’ve read. Provo had just 4-55 a year ago, but was coming off a 47 yard game against Maine before he went down against South Florida. His back ups are Cody Catalina and another Hofstra transfer, Jose Cruz. Catalina filled in last season, catching 13-104-1 TD. That TD? Against your Cincinnati Bearcats.
O-Line: The Orange line has just 2 returning starters, and one of them is switching positions. The man switching positions is standout guard, Ryan Bartholomew. Ryan was second team All Big East last season. Bartholomew will definitely be playing on Sundays next year, and is the captain of the line. The other returning player is senior guard Adam Rosner. He started half the season last year. He’s been a bit of a disappointment at SU, but needs to step up. Andrew Tiller played quite a bit last season, starting 3 games, and he mans the other guard spot. The tackles are redshirt freshman Justin Pugh and JUCO transfer Michael Hay. Those two are going to have to play well for the Orange to get the run game, and pass game, going. The back ups are all mostly experienced. Josh White started a few games last season. The depth chart I see has some of the years fucked up, so I’m guessing it’s correct for the o-line and they are the years listed.
D-Line: The Syracuse d-line was solid last season, and has some potential stars in the line up this season. Chandler Jones is a sophomore who had 52 tackles, 10 for loss, and 1.5 sacks. The Orange are high on him, and his bookend, Mikhail Marinovich. MM had 20 tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 hurries last season. The two young men are expected to have big seasons. The inside duo consists of Andrew Lewis, a senior, and Bud Tribbey. Tribbey is what you do after Bud, so his name makes a lot of sense. The back ups are seniors who haven’t quite had what it takes to be starters, but can play some. Anthony Perkins had 4.5 tackles for loss last season for example.
LB: Syracuse has vastly underrated linebackers, and may have the best group in the Big East. Derrell Smith is the man in the middle, and also the star. He was all Big East last season, with 82 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Oh, and he missed a couple of games too. Doug Houge is another senior who, like Smith, is a converted running back. Houge ran offenses back (yeah I did that) with 9.5 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. Houge had 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks against Rutgers. Ryan Gillum is listed as the third starter, but he doesn’t have any big stats. The reserves are all sophomores or freshmen, meaning an injury to Smith or Houge could be very damaging for the defense. If they stay healthy, and Houge had a spring injury, watch out for this group.
DB: The Syracuse secondary sucked out loud last season, but they return everyone from that group. The corners are Da’Mon Merkerson, a junior, and sophomore Phillip Thomas. Thomas had 2 INTs a year ago. Neither he or Merkerson have played a lot, so they could be a trouble spot. Merkerson was a receiver at times last year, and is only focused on corner this year. Safety Mark Jones has started every game his 4 seasons, and does so again. He put up 77 tackles and 3 picks a season ago. He’s the anchor of the secondary. Shamarko Thomas seems like he could be a player at safety. He started every game last season, and came on late. He had 41 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, and a pick. Max Suter started last season, but was injured in the spring. He figures to get some time, and leads the reserves. Kevyn Scott is the last returning player, and he had 2 picks last season. The big key for the defense is this group coming together.
Special Teams: Syracuse returns kicker Ryan Lichtenstein, who was 13-17 a year ago. Ryan hit 26-27 extra points. Rob Long is the best punter in the Big East probably. He gets a lot of chances to test his leg. He averaged nearly 44 yards last season. It says here Max Suter and Ryan Holmes will handle return duties, so good for them. They are fast, so that’s a plus.
Schedule: Syracuse starts on the road, going to Akron and Washington. After they improve to 2-2 or 3-1, they hit the teeth of the Big East schedule. They go @USF, Pitt, WVU, and @UC. Ouch babe. They end the season with home games against basketball rival UConn, and former rival Boston College.
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