Cincinnati travels to Syracuse Saturday, which means it’s time for Brian Harrison and I to talk shop. Brian runs the great Orange 44. He’s also a great person to follow on twitter. You can tell him all the flaws that he has on his blogpoll every week. He enjoys that. I don’t know what’s going to happen when Syracuse leaves the Big East this summer or next year or in two years. Thank god for Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef. There will be plenty more seasons of that to watch, talk about for a billion words. I ruined the MasterChef finale for Brian. He said something on twitter about it and was further along than I was. When I got to the end, I said “Can you believe that girl won? She sucks.” Of course Brian had taken a break from watching and wasn’t at the end. Bearcats Blog, spoiling reality cooking shows since 2011. I’ll be answering questions over on Orange 44 today, so be sure to check that out. Questions in bold.
What the hell has happened since West Virginia?
Failure to execute. I’d like to stop the answer there, but it wouldn’t be very interesting to read. Honestly though, it is players just not making plays. Even basic ones. Syracuse has had a fair amount of sure touchdowns simply dropped. Sometimes Ryan Nassib throws a hot potato, but mostly they are just bad drops. Additionally, it seemed in those games that the offensive play calling was way too conservative, or they tried to go to the same well too often. At UConn it wasn’t hard for the Huskies defense to jump a route in the fourth quarter as they had seen the same route about a half a dozen times earlier in the game. Syracuse loves bootlegs, but every pass play can’t be a bootleg or a quick slant. The defense, good or bad, has remained consistent for the most part. When Syracuse has lost games it has mostly been due to the offense’s inability to move the ball. A little more help from special teams would be nice too, in terms of preventing major kick and punt returns to set up optimal field position for the opponents.
Ryan Nassib has been quietly one of the better QBs in the league this year. What has been the big change in his game?
I honestly think it has just been the fact he’s now a second year starter and in his third year of getting major playing time. He’s been around, he’s a natural leader, he’s smart, and in general makes good decisions on the field. He’s just a good player. Experience is the best way to get better in college football.
Phillip Thomas getting suspended for a year is a big deal. How big a deal do you think it will be Saturday?
Honestly, it is only going to marginally affect Saturday. While he was basically in charge of covering the major receiving threats for various teams, the reason he has such a high tackle total is that he would let those receivers catch the ball, then tackle them. By then who cares, the chains are already moved, and the offense gets a new set of downs. The idea is to not have them catch the ball in the first place. Chances are whoever will be taking his place (either Jeremi Wilkes or Orlando Fisher) will do just as adequate a job of defending passes as he did.
Antwon Bailey was taking the Big East by storm with 4 100 yard games in a row, what has been the key in stopping him?
Good question. Antwon Bailey has been the hardest player to figure out this season. He, while not the sole reason for Syracuse losing to Rutgers, made sure it happened by fumbling the ball in overtime. But he has also rattled off some major running efforts. He’s consistently inconsistent. What I will say is that he is a hard worker and one of the best receiving running backs in the nation. He is also not afraid of laying a big block for his QB either. Since Syracuse is coming off a week of rest I think the offensive line will be ready to make some holes for Bailey to run through and he should get back on track this week. If not, Syracuse will have some trouble earning first downs. It also didn’t help that Syracuse would get behind in a game and then ask Nassib to pass far more than Bailey run. But either way, I think he will be fine this weekend.
Do you think Nassib, Alec Lemon and Nick Provo can pick apart the UC secondary?
I think the better question is, do you think UC’s secondary can tackle them after they do? How many missed tackles did they have against Rutgers? I think UC will put up a fight in the first half, as Syracuse has had slow starts in virtually every game they have played this season. I have a feeling Syracuse will find it easier to move the ball against them in the second half. Nick Provo has proved to be the most dependable receiver on the team, earning chunks of yards easily. Lemon, if he doesn’t drop the ball, will be open. They should do well in this game.
Two years in a row Syracuse drew the Bearcats reserve QB. What are Syracuse fans doing to Zach Collaros?
Don’t look at me. I didn’t do it. Let’s face it, sometimes it’s talent, sometimes it’s execution, and sometimes it’s just plain luck. I’ll be happy Syracuse faces no one named Zach Collaros this Saturday.
How do you think the Syracuse D will attack Munchie Legaux, or whoever UC throws at them?
Some of the failure of the Syracuse defense this season has been the inability to pressure the quarterback in games. Syracuse got to Geno Smith a lot and you saw what happened when West Virginia came to the Dome. If Syracuse can sack the quarterback a few times, hit him a few more, and make him rush throws, obviously the secondary doesn’t have to work that hard. Chances are the pass will be inaccurate and/or incomplete. While the Syracuse secondary has the ability to make plays, making sure they don’t have to is the true key to the Syracuse defense. If that happens on Saturday it will be hard for Cincinnati to stay in the game for long.
What’s happening Saturday?
Here’s an interesting statistic about Doug Marrone: He has never lost a game after a bye week. Syracuse seems to find success in the strategic nature of the game of football after an extra week of preparation. It also helps that Collaros is sidelined. While the way to beat Syracuse is still pass the ball, the fact that Syracuse’s offense will have extra time to dissect film and put together some interesting offensive sequences should bode well for them moving the chains and getting in the end zone. After all, Syracuse could have been in the USF game a couple weeks ago if they didn’t literally drop three passes in the end zone.
How are you feeling about the basketball team so far?
I’m loving the year on the court so far. To be in the top five and actually have them not be overrated is a rare treat. Syracuse is beating opponents by a ton of points, they look good, and there are really no concerns so far. I look forward to tearing up the Big East this year, maybe for the last time <tear>.
Many thanks to Brian. He’s a pretty good guy. Check out my answers to his questions on Orange 44.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
