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Syracuse Football: Updated midseason prediction on how 2018 plays out

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: Jarveon Howard #28 of the Syracuse Orange runs into the end zone for a 5 yard touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on October 6, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: Jarveon Howard #28 of the Syracuse Orange runs into the end zone for a 5 yard touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on October 6, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Paul A. Esden Sr. (contributor) 4-2

I entered into this season with several key areas of concern that the Orange would have to address to be successful. I will revisit some.

Coming into the season, I had major concerns with big shoes to fill at the linebacker position and changing defensive schemes to play to our strengths. Our defense has exceeded expectations in almost all areas.

The gaps that have emerged are late in games when the defense has worn down and we have not focused on stopping the run. This is a mixed bag of inexperience, defensive play calling and talent level. This will come back to haunt us if we don’t make adjustments in the second half of the season.
Replacing talent at wide receiver was another area of concern again our corps of young talent has stepped up to the plate and exceeded expectations. Jamal Custis (averaging over 17 yards a reception), Sean Riley, and Nykeim Johnson have been impressive.

The area to address during the bye week is we are not always stretching the field this tightens up the box and puts more pressure on Eric Dungey. This was never more glaring than against Pittsburgh during the first half Eric went 12 for 24 for 58 yards.

Focusing on the running game. I hate to sound like a broken record but again here we are exceeding projections. I am taking Eric Dungey (our leading rusher) out of the mix for the purpose of this discussion.

Our platoon of running backs (Moe Neal, Dontae Strickland and Jarveon Howard) are all averaging over 4.5 yards a clip with the freshman Jarveon leading the way with 6.6 yards average per carry.

Keeping this focus in the second half of the season will allow us to reduce pressure on our QB and get the ball down the field.

So now to my predictions for the remainder of the season:

  • North Carolina a game we should and will win. (5-2)
  • North Carolina State this will be our ‘skin’ for the year and I predict a win, bringing an end to our ‘Quest for 6’ with 4 games remaining. (6-2)
  • Wake Forest is a team to be concerned with, they have cyclic performance but we have the talent to beat them. (7-2)
  • Louisville is a team that is not meeting expectations and we will struggle in this one. (7-3)
  • Note Dame is a team of destiny this year, their depth and speed will be too much for the orange. (7-4)
  • Boston College game will be crucial to end the season on a high note leading into an Orange Bowl berth. Eric Dungey will shine in his final regular season game. The Orange will wrap up the year at 8-4.
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