Syracuse Football: 2019 schedule breakdown, 1st quarter analysis

The 2019 Syracuse football season is nearly upon us. Here’s an inside look at the 1st quarter of the 2019 Orange schedule from our Paul A. Esden Sr.

Finally, Syracuse football is back on the map! Dino Babers and the Orange is the New Fast lived up to the hype and delivered an eye-popping 10-3 record. Now is the time for SU to build on that achievement and show the ACC that we are not a flash in the pan but a challenger for the ACC title.

Success brings revised expectations and the long-suffering Orange fans will be anticipating another phenomenal season. We are less than a month away from kickoff so let’s begin our analysis of the upcoming season.

First up on the slate is the Liberty Flames.

Now before you chalk this one up in the win column let me fill you in on a few key pieces of information. Liberty moved from the FCS to the big leagues last year but they bring with them a legacy of success. They are just one of nine teams to post a winning season in their first year in FBS additionally they have not had a losing season since 2005.

A few nuggets on the Flames:

• First-year coach Hugh Freeze (who may have one of the coolest names ever) is no stranger to coaching at the highest level, coaching Ole Miss from 2012-2016. He also is no stranger to controversy as he was summarily dismissed due to NCAA rules violations and questionable decisions which I will breakdown in detail during my individual game breakdown.
• Liberty will bring to the field a type of up-tempo offense that Syracuse should find eerily familiar to the one they currently employ. This proved to be potent as they averaged over 30 points per game and 423 total yards last season.

This game will have Syracuse looking in the mirror as they face a team similar to their squad of four years ago with a new head coach and flashy offense. A reason for caution to be sure but the Orange will win this season opener and put them on the road to the playoffs.

For our second game continue our 2019 campaign as road warriors against the Maryland Terrapins.

The Orange strength of schedule this year builds to a crescendo from its start against FCS newcomer Liberty than a step up against Maryland. The Terrapins were on a roller coaster of emotions last year:

• They dedicated their season to OL Jordan McNair who died of heatstroke as a result of an intense practice session in extremely warm temperatures.
• Head coach DJ Durkin was at first suspended and later fired over the events leading to McNair’s death.
• They took out a ranked Texas team in the season opener and took Ohio State into overtime before failing on a two-point conversion.

This game will be the second win in a row as Syracuse will dominate as it prepares itself for the showdown in the dome.

To round out the first quarter of the season is our STATEMENT game.

Last year this is the game that got away from us, the game that almost launched Syracuse into the playoffs. But enough of the could’ve and would’ve, let’s look forward.

After the past two seasons and games versus the Orange, this is one game that Clemson will not take lightly. The home opener for ‘Cuse and likely with College Gameday on campus in Central New York all eyes will be on this one.

For this writer it will be more about what Dino and his coaching staff have done than anything Clemson will bring to the table:

• Will Tommy DeVito live up to the hype?
• Will the newly remodeled offensive line hold up?
• Can the defensive coaching staff rebuild our linebacking core?
• Did we catch lightning in a bottle with running back transfer Abdul Adams from Oklahoma?

This pick is a tough one with all the open questions above but …  I have given Dino and his staff some tough love over the past few years this time I will … #BetOnDino and I predict the Dome will be rocking as the student body storms the field as the Orange put themselves in the driver seat to win the Atlantic division of the ACC.

I have our beloved squad at 3-0 at the end of the first quarter of the season. It won’t be easy and only the faithful will believe but this is OUR YEAR!  BE LOUD, BE PROUD, BE ORANGE.