The Syracuse football team is in Louisville to take on the Cardinals tomorrow. It’s a very interesting matchup between two teams who have had their ups and downs this season. Syracuse comes in having lost five consecutive games after starting the season 3-0. Louisville is almost the reverse; they started 0-3 and have clawed their way back to 4-4.
Both offenses are starting freshman, dual-threat quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson for Louisville has played the majority of the season and has been an inconsistent passer. He’s completed just 58% of his passes and thrown eight interceptions. Dungey on the other hand, has played above expectations to this point with 11 touchdown passes, 61% completions, and just 3 interceptions. On paper, advantage Dungey.
However, Louisville has also played a considerably tougher schedule that includes losses to Clemson, Auburn, Houston, and Florida State. All four have been ranked at some point this season.
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In the game tomorrow, I think Lamar Jackson will play relatively well. I don’t think he has the arm or accuracy to torch the SU defense like Florida State’s Maguire did last week. I do think he’ll gash them on the ground with his speed outside the pocket. I also think their general speed of the receivers and runningbacks will give the Syracuse football defense fits tomorrow.
For the Syracuse offense, it could be tough sledding as well. Louisville is ranked 14th in the nation in total yards defensively. Their defense has consistently played well as a group and hasn’t given up too many big plays. They are 36th in points allowed per game, so it will be tough for Syracuse to score even if they move the ball.
If Syracuse wants to be productive on offense, they are going to need to do it as a team. Dungey can’t just be the hero and try and do everything, it won’t work against Louisville. They are going to need a balanced attack on offense and they are going to need to play aggressive and physical.
It all starts with the offensive line. Last week, they did a very poor job in pass protection. Although Dungey was only sacked once, he was under constant pressure and had to release the ball before his receivers got open. The line needs to give him time for plays to develop this week. If they can do that, I think he can be very successful in the passing game.
Oct 24, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Steve Ishmael (8) makes a catch for a touchdown over Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Avonte Maddox (14) during the second quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Photo Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Look for Steve Ishmael to bounce back from his tough outing at Florida State and make some plays. He is far too good a receiver to be completely erased like he was last week. Also, look for another receiver to step up. Whether it’s Brisly Estime, Ervin Phillips, Ben Lewis, or Dontae Strickland, one or more of them needs to have a big game to take some of the pressure off of Ishmael.
Defensively the Orange need to create some pressure. Jackson has proven to be an inaccurate passer under duress, so Syracuse needs Thompson, Franklin, Bennett, Cordy, Clark and others to step up and get pressure. Force Louisville to be one-dimensional. They’ve been pretty sub-par on the ground, running for only 140 yards per game (105th nationally).
Next: SU Football: How to Beat Louisville
I’m much more confident in a Syracuse victory if they can limit the Louisville passing attack. They might give up lots of yards, but I think our front seven can do enough to stop their backs from the big plays if they can make tackles in the open field. Florida State was a poor tackling exhibition in general, but they’ve had other games where they’ve been very solid, so let’s hope they can get back on track.
So who will win? In the end, although I think Louisville has a better team, I think Syracuse just wants and needs this victory more. I think it will be close, but in the end I think SU pulls it out 27-21 and gets to 4-5. With three games left after tomorrow, it leaves them with an outside shot at a bowl if they can beat NC State and Boston College, both of which are winnable games.
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