Syracuse Football: Top solutions to inefficient analytics on 2019 Orange

Syracuse Football is ranked at the bottom of FBS in many statistics this season. ‘Cuse can rid of these staggering stats quickly if they create a new plan.

Syracuse football has endured a tumultuous start to the 2019 season as they enter Week 4 with a 1-2 record.

After some sloppy play and lots of miscommunication, Syracuse has found themselves in the basement of the ACC standings.

Just by the eye test alone, you can tell that Syracuse has faced many difficulties this season. However, if you look back to the box score, there are many scary stats as well.

Head coach Dino Babers has primarily split the ‘Cuse offensive plays almost 50-50 between run and pass plays. It is no secret that Syracuse has struggled on offense. A big problem has been the offensive line.

On top of that, the Orange need to establish an offensive identity.

As of now, they aren’t exceeding in many facets of the game. For the upcoming contest against Western Michigan, they must focus on the run game and extend their playbook from there.

By focusing on the run, they can open up the offense. However, so far this season the teams rushing statistics have been nothing short of disappointing. The unit has garnered only 2.4 yards per rush which ranks 118th out of 130 FBS teams.

Once the running game fails, then move on to the passing game right? Wrong.

Tommy DeVito has had a rocky start to the season behind a rotation of O-linemen. With Sam Heckel, starting center, injured Syracuse has been forced to shift the guys upfront.

Tommy DeVito has forced a lot of passes out there. This has resulted in Syracuse having a 3.81% interception rate through the first three games.

Heckel’s injury has caused Tommy DeVito to be sacked more than almost every other quarterback in college football. Only five teams have allowed more sacks. Currently, the O-line is allowing a sack on 11.76% of the plays, which ranks 111th in the nation.

The last glaring sloppy statistic regards penalties.

Syracuse averages 8.3 penalties per game which ranks them as the 21st most penalized team in college football.

For Syracuse to improve, they must establish a new game plan. This may seem like the wrong direction, but I believe Syracuse needs to keep it simple.

Syracuse has three threats out of the backfield in Moe Neal, Abdul Adams, and Jarveon Howard. I know that the run game has yet to be prevalent.

However, if this trio is appropriately used to compliment each other than they should be able to get thinks clicking rather quickly, they need to stretch out the field too by designing outside runs and then surprise the defense with hard powerful runs as a counter.

In the passing game, the Orange need to limit the passes to quick slants and screens with the occasional deep play-action throw. By making the playbook more simple, they should be able to limit penalties. This also should open the run game and make DeVito feel less pressure when he has to throw.

If all of these pieces come together, then the Orange should be able to turn their season around. Syracuse faces Western Michigan in Week 4 on Saturday at noon in the Dome.