Syracuse Football: 2019 crystal ball bold predictions, top x-factors
Chris Queripel, Contributor
The 2019 Syracuse football team heads into the season following up a 10-3 record a season ago. The Orange reached their first bowl game since 2013 and accomplished their first 10 win season since 2001. So needless to say the ‘Cuse football has a certain level of higher expectations heading into the year.
Syracuse has a plethora of new weapons on the offensive front while paired with some veteran pieces which hopes to create an unstoppable high powered offense. With new starting quarterback Tommy DeVito the Orange will look for a more deadly pocket passing presence. Also, Moe Neal looks to be a major threat out of the backfield and when both DeVito and Neal are on their game the Orange offense will be unbeatable.
The Orange special teams unit led by Lou Groza watch list kicker, Andre Szmyt seems to be as sharp as they were in 2018. Finally, the defense has good pieces all around. My defensive X-factors are Andre Cisco, who led the nation in interceptions a year ago, and Alton Robinson. Robinson looks to be a major threat along the ‘Cuse D-line wreaking havoc week-to-week.
All of these factors lead to a potentially successful season for the Orange and to rank among the best in the ACC. In the first two weeks of the season, the Orange face Liberty and Maryland. Those games should be easy wins for the Orange. I expect the Terps to put up a fight early but in the end, Syracuse will pull away in the latter half of the contest.
Week 3 is the toughest matchup of the season as Syracuse will face number one seeded, Clemson. This game could be on the alert for an upset special. But in the end, Clemson takes this game handing Syracuse their first loss of the season.
The following week the Orange will take down Western Michigan who they defeated in a shootout in last year’s opening game. Holy Cross is next on the docket and that should be a huge win for ‘Cuse heading into a pivotal game. At this point, there are seven games left on the schedule but only two that I believe may trip up the Orange. NC State may not be a complete team but they seemingly put up points every year. This game at NC State I think is a trap game that will hand ‘Cuse their second loss of the season. However, after Week 6 I think the Orange win out and finish the season 10-2 and just behind Clemson in the standings.
Pittsburgh and Duke will be tough physical games, but in the end, the Orange will prevail. Syracuse will follow up last year’s 10-3 mark and have another phenomenal season which will be sure to put themselves in the middle of the AP poll heading into bowl season.