Syracuse Football: Tackling takes for ‘Cuse football going into week 3

Syracuse football is now 2-0! I repeat THE SYRACUSE ORANGE FOOTBALL TEAM IS 2-0! Some Orange fans believed this could happen, while others expected disappointment. What’s important isn’t to argue over who was right or who was wrong but to take it in and enjoy the moment and support this team the best we can.

I truly believe Syracuse football has every opportunity to at least start 5-0, so I’m not necessarily surprised but I am very pleasantly optimistic that my positivity paid off. Although as I explained in an earlier post, it was more than just a positive attitude that led me to believe it was possible. I also don’t believe in underestimating any opponent because in sports, on any given day, any team can find a way to win.

So before I “tackle some takes,” I just want to remind my fellow fans to breathe, smell the fresh positive Orange air, and that you can enjoy being a fan more sometimes when you take a step back and just find the pure enjoyment in rooting for your favorite players and team.

Now I’m going to tackle some takes as Syracuse football heads into week 3.

"UConn Recap"

Orange crushes the Huskies

In my September preview and predictions column, I had Syracuse football winning 41-17, so I wasn’t too far off here. This is my first time really doing predictions but wanted to try something different. Hopefully, I’ll get as lucky with my Syracuse 31 – Purdue 24 prediction as well.

Tucker your expectations

Oddly enough, one thing I noticed following this game on social media was how many thought star running back Sean Tucker was having an “off game.” Even Sean himself tweeted that he was “okay with his performance.”

Sean Tucker had his first 100-yard rushing effort of the season against UConn, finishing with 112 yards and a touchdown. I mean I’m admittedly biased but I’d say that’s pretty darn good y’all! He was a key player in getting this win and is still a key factor in the success of this team so far.

79.2%

Two games into the season, Garrett Shrader has a pass completion percentage of 79.2%, which is the highest-graded QB in the NCAA according to PFF-College. Shrader has also made the 2022 Davey O’Brien Award midseason watch list.

I’m reminded of the scene in Good Will Hunting and wonder if Garrett just wants to walk up to those who doubted him and ask, “How about them apples…or Oranges in this case?” I don’t know if it’s more time as QB1 not competing with former SU QB1 Tommy DeVito or the addition of Coach Robert Anae and Coach Jason Beck but I hope whatever it is continues to “hit just right” like a Sprite from McDonald’s (according to my teenage son).

Wax and Williams were warriors

Linebacker Marlowe Wax and cornerback Garrett Williams both had QB sacks against the Huskies. It’s so good to see both men being leaders on this defense contributing in various ways. And while Williams is being talked about as a possible first-round NFL Draft pick, I think Marlowe Wax could be that guy in a year or two as well.

Special teams is reliable

With Coach Bob Ligashesky now in charge of the Syracuse football special teams, there is no longer a lingering feeling of an impediment when they take the field. Placekicker Andre Szmyt looks like the Szmyt Happens guy we remembered, the punt/kickoff returners aren’t making bad decisions and new freshman punter Maximilian Von Marburg from Wagga Wagga, Australia, is definitely an improvement so far after seeing many lackluster punts last season.

"Purdue Preview"

Aidan O’Connell to Charlie Jones = trouble

Purdue WR Charlie Jones transferred from Iowa to Purdue in the offseason to play with a guy he knew well in their youth, Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell. So far, this might be possibly the best QB-WR combination in college football.

They’ve combined for 286 yards and 4 touchdowns in two games so Syracuse’s secondary is going to get tested in this game. O’Connell is a 6th year QB who I’ve heard even Syracuse football Head Coach Dino Babers show nothing but respect for in how he can perform on the field…he is the definition in my opinion of a field general and not someone to take lightly.

Jalen Graham is out but the defense can still play

Purdue’s defensive leader this year and possible NFL prospect Jalen Graham will miss at least a month of games after suffering an injury against Penn State. Jalen was the one guy before the season I worried most might make Shrader’s life miserable so his impact will be missed.

That said, don’t think for one second that Purdue won’t come in ready to play. This is a team that was leading Penn State but lost with 57 seconds left in the game so this isn’t a team to look past by any means. They also just dominated Indiana State, 56-0, and even if the Sycamores aren’t Syracuse football, that’s a dominant performance for the defense.

The value of a victory over Purdue

This game will be in Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome this coming Saturday at noon on ESPN2. If Syracuse football, which has already beaten Louisville and UConn, can manage to win this game, don’t be surprised if more national media and polls take notice. I noticed at least on Twitter some national sports writers as well as alumni and fans were asking if it’s time to take Syracuse football seriously.

A loss here does not cost you the season by any means (though it will possibly get some loud negativity from some fans and others). A win, though, could help sway those who doubt the Orange’s “relevance” on a national scale to have more respect for the Syracuse football program, and a victory over Purdue could also help lead to better TV opportunities as well.

This is also an opportunity, especially on ESPN2, to get a win that bowl game executives will notice as well as those voting on post-season awards, and your average sports bar fan watching because it’s on the TV.

Pack the Dome

Look, I’m going to be completely honest here because it would be hypocritical not to be. I’m currently having issues physically and mentally including anxiety in crowds and exhaustion doing the smallest tasks. So telling you to pack the Dome when I can’t isn’t probably going to go over well with people but I’m going to point out reasons why the nooner on ESPN2 needs you if you can.

If you can’t afford it or have others reasons not to, as I said, I’d be a hypocrite to call you out. However if you can afford it and can, we’ve already seen that a loud atmosphere can help the team and hurt the opponent (Louisville found out the hard way).

This Syracuse football team has the potential to be special and a live crowd helps that immensely and also shows the players and staff that people care. Those big 3rd or even occasional 4th-down plays, especially, are huge when the crowd is so loud that the defense is pumped up and the opposing offense could potentially have communication issues leading to a turnover.

I believe in my heart that if we can keep the majority of this team healthy and pack the Dome for home games, this will be a special season you’ll tell your kids about for years to come with at the very least a bowl game opportunity ahead.