Inside the Loud House
Fansided

Syracuse Football: Week 1 Liberty Flames crystal ball predictions

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 2: Stephen Calvert #12 of the Liberty Flames drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 2: Stephen Calvert #12 of the Liberty Flames drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 9
Next

Paul A. Esden Sr. Contributor (0-0)

The Flames are a Division 1 school from Lynchburg, Virginia. They moved from the FCS to the big leagues last year and were able to post a 6-6 record in their first year in FBS.

Syracuse finds themselves in a reversal of fortune coming in as a ranked team and favored by almost three touchdowns. This is what we call a potential trap game.

The good news is that Dino Babers recognizes this, since the ACC media day until Monday of game week.  Dino said: ‘I’m nervous about this one.’

There is not a lot of game film floating around to help the Orange prepare for the Flames. Couple that with new starting QB Tommy DeVito and a rebuilt offensive line and the concern is well-founded.

The concern is not only about our squad not being solidified the Flames do not have an empty cupboard themselves:

Experienced first-year head coach Hugh Freeze has a developed a winning resume and he will have a few tricks up his sleeve for the Orange.

Returning starter at QB senior Steven ‘Buckshot’ Calvert threw for over 3,000 yards last year.
A three-headed monster at the running back position Kentory Matthews, Frankie Hickson and Peytton Pickett who combined for almost 2,000 yards rushing and averaging over 4.2 yards per carry. This will be a challenge to the Orange’s rebuilt linebacking core.

Update on Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze is he underwent back surgery and is recovering from a near-death experience associated with an infection that was discovered during the procedure.

Currently, he is coaching his team from a teleprompter in his hotel room. Best case scenario for Saturday night’s kickoff is he will be in the booth coaching the game from a headset. Hopefully, this does not end up as a winning one for the Gipper speech moment.

Next. Syracuse Football: 2019 crystal ball bold predictions, top x-factors. dark

Overall I expect this to be a good tune-up game for the Orange to work on some questions that need to be addressed :

  • Tommy DeVito assuming the mantle of starting QB.
  • Allowing the rebuilt offensive line to work together and gel.
  • New linebacker core group to gain experience.
  • I expect all of these things to happen and for the Orange to cover the spread in a 35-17 win to get on the road to January!
Home/Syracuse Football