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Syracuse Football 2020 Positional Preview: Running backs

By Christopher Queripel

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Abdul Adams #23 of the Syracuse Orange carries the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Holy Cross Crusaders at the Carrier Dome on September 28, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats Holy Cross 41-3. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Abdul Adams #23 of the Syracuse Orange carries the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Holy Cross Crusaders at the Carrier Dome on September 28, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats Holy Cross 41-3. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Syracuse football (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Syracuse football (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

With the Syracuse football season around the corner, we will breakdown each position. Let’s start with the running backs and who can step up in 2020.

Syracuse football seems to be going through an overhaul this season and hopes to forget last year and continue the momentum from 2018. In 2019 ‘Cuse finished 5-7 after an impressive 10-3 year, including a bowl victory. The Orange needs to improve once again, and a lot of it starts with the running game.

Last season Moe Neal led the Orange with nearly 850 yards rushing, and with his departure and others, they have now lost almost half of their run production. So it’s time for the Orange to look at their current weapons and how to best utilize them this season.

We will dive into each option for Syracuse from the running back position in this massive breakdown.

Currently, the three best choices for the Orange will be Abdul Adams, Jarveon Howard, and Jawhar Jordan.

Adams has the most experience as he was the lead back up behind Moe Neal. However, each back offers a unique set of skills that serves crucial for Syracuse in different ways.

Last season Syracuse ranked 71st in rushing yards out of 130 FBS football teams. The team posted 1,848 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Despite having multiple short yard rushing threats, they converted red zone touchdowns on the ground at an average pace.

‘Cuse also ranked top 30 in rushes per game; however, they sat around 100 in yards per rush. Despite committing to the running game head coach, Dino Babers did not get all the results he wanted from his running backs.

So let’s dive into the current running backs situation for Syracuse. And how each running back will benefit the Orange and how we believe Babers should use his running game to have a successful season. In 2018 Syracuse’s running game was decisive and helped the team to a double-digit win season.

Moe Neal had similar numbers with over 800 yards, but Dontae Strickland also contributed with over 500 yards on the ground. If Syracuse can find a one-two combo similar to 2018, then ‘Cuse will be successful this year on offense.

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