Unfortunately, Syracuse football had a rough 2014 season. With Hunt breaking his leg mid-season and throwing rookie AJ Long in the mix, it was hard to get a clear direction on where the team was headed. Finishing with a 3-9 record was not the ideal for Shafer and staff. This year, based off of preseason voting it does not look to promising for the Orange, but we stay hopeful.
Last season being 1-7 in the ACC, with the only in-conference win being against Wake Forrest, we essentially had no chance in a high preseason ranking. Though there were valiant efforts against the big dogs in the ACC such as Florida State ( 38-20 loss) and Clemson (16-6 loss), the Orange have a lot to prove this year. Residing in the Atlantic Division of the ACC, Syracuse’s preseason prediction is a steady 6 out of 7 places.
With the release of the 2015 preseason All-ACC football teams, it shows that not one of the Syracuse football players have been selected as the cream of the ACC’s crop. Not one player on our roster received enough votes to make a team. The only other teams with no players on the pre-season All-ACC team are Miami and Boston College. The players receiving votes were: wide receiver Steve Ishmael, offensive tackle Ivan Foy, center Rob Trudo, defensive end Ron Thompson, line backer Marqez Hodge, placekicker Cole Murphy, and punter Riley Dixon.
The Orange’s ACC schedule goes like this; vs Wake Forrest, at UVA, vs Pitt, at FSU, at Louisville, vs Clemson, at NC State, vs Boston College. My prediction here, 4-4. It helps that Wake Forrest is the second game on the schedule this year, given that was the only ACC win last season and might be a confidence booster moving towards additional conference play. Boston College is a pretty even match up and that could go either way, but I’m giving ‘Cuse the win here. NC State has given it to ‘Cuse in their first two season in the ACC but with a stronger defense they might be able to hold them, so giving the Orange a win here too. Finally, the match up against UVA. Virginia is last in the Coastal Division of the ACC, and if Shafer and squad do not press and the offense stays strong, this will be an easy ACC W.
To go off of that, the Orange will have a tough time facing Clemson and Florida State, ranked one and two in conference. Even though these were both decent games for the Orange last year, it still doesn’t look like they will be able to overcome these southern powerhouses. Louisville gave the Orange quite the beating in the dome last year, the final score being 28-6, so more then likely that will be an L. The Orange practically faced the same scenario with Pittsburgh with a 30-7 loss. In both of these games Syracuse seriously struggled to make things happen offensively. With that being said that though, with rookie AJ Long leading the offense last year the Orange was able to put up 20 points against 2014 BCS National Champions, Florida State.
Canes Warning
What’s going to lead the Orange to score and win, is what seems to need the most work, the quarterback position. Redshirt senior Terrell Hunt, who lost half of last season due to a broken leg, is the starter this season. In the 2013 Texas Bowl against Minnesota he showed he was a versatile quarterback, proving he could run and throw for yards. Hunt’s issue is there is really no development in his long ball, he needs to be able to throw for more yards accurately this season. AJ Long will be redshirted this season so that leaves Austin Wilson as the second-string. Wilson has struggled the last two seasons to prove that he can be an ACC caliber quarter back. Hopefully his game has advanced over the offseason so Hunt can have a replacement if needed.
Jul 20, 2015; Pinehurst, NC, USA; Syracuse Orange players Zaire Franklin and Terrel Hunt pose for a picture during the ACC football kickoff at Pinehurst Resort. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sophomore Steve Ishamel is expected have another great season at wide receiver, granted his great speed and hands. The offensive line should not be problem granted the size and durability of those on the line. On the defensive end, Ron Thompson (Sr.) comes in as a strong defensive end, and Marqez Hodge (Jr.) and Zaire Franklin (So.) more than likely will be able to get the job as the right and center linebackers.
Syracuse will need to step up their game overall if it wants to place into a bowl game or contend for an ACC title. The offense will have to be able to drive down the field without a fumble, incompletion ,or an interception. Both the passing and running games need to be stronger, and the defense will have to hold up their end of the stick. The pre-season ranks might be a little discouraging but that should just light a fire under Coach Shaffer and his team to prove the press wrong.