Syracuse Football: Week 4 Western Michigan crystal ball predictions
Ryan Lee, Contributor (2-1)
Syracuse football still has a lot to play for. I know they lost their past two games by a combined 104-26. Wow. But, I am actually going to use this to talk myself in how Saturday is going to be the start of a nine-game win streak and a launching pad to the Orange Bowl.
To do this, however, Syracuse will need to contain the pass rush. Tommy DeVito was sacked eight times against the Clemson Tigers and that is one more sack then the Western Michigan Broncos have this season.
This is not to say we have the best read on the Western Michigan’s defense but here is what it tells us. The Broncos only has seven sacks in 100 pass attempts by opposing teams this year. Quick math that is only seven percent of attempts that end in a sack.
Syracuse has given up a sack on 13.3 percent (14 sacks, 105 attempts) this season. None of the Broncos stats came against the only Power 5 team Western Michigan has played this year when they visited East Lansing in a 51-17 loss to Michigan State.
This hopefully is a good sign for the Orange. An opportunity for the offensive line to bounce back and dominate their matchup and feel good about themselves. Starting Center Sam Heckel according to Coach Dino Babers is “in the same situation as last week,” so Syracuse reshuffled line will most likely be who is called upon to step up for SU.
Keeping DeVito clean will be key to getting an offense who has yet to click this season. Maybe this week is when Syracuse will hit the big play. DeVito and the Orange offense has only gained 20 or more yards on six passes this year. The Spartans had seven in Week 2 against the Broncos.
Trishton Jackson has been the main beneficiary of big pass plays by Syracuse. Nykeim Johnson, someone who was expected to take the lid off opposing defenses has been missing so far. Johnson has caught seven passes this year for nine yards. A 1.29 average per catch. His most yards on a pass play this season is five.
Week 4 is a must-win against the Broncos but just winning will not be enough for anyone. Not for the fans, the coaches, or the players. A good step forward is a mauling performance by the offensive line and finding another deep threat like Johnson from the slot to go with Jackson on the outside to add additional depth to the offense.
The offensive line performing well will benefit Johnson, DeVito and the entire passing game. I expect us to feel better come by Saturday night, but not satisfied yet. Watch Syracuse put up some points and defense build, 35-14 Orange.