Candidly, I don’t think that Syracuse football (4-0) is going to have much trouble taking down FCS team Wagner (0-3) this Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome.
The Orange is a monstrous betting favorite, and I’d be shocked to the core if the ‘Cuse doesn’t move to 5-0 this weekend. Syracuse football, if it prevails on Saturday, would be 5-0 to start a season for the first time since the special 1987 campaign.
Additionally, the Orange resides at No. 25 in this week’s Coaches poll and has an opportunity to possibly enter next week’s Associated Press top-25 poll as well, assuming the ‘Cuse doesn’t lay an egg on Saturday and other ranked foes further down in the AP poll suffer setbacks.
While all of that is well and good, to me, it’s not just about beating Wagner on Saturday in Central New York. It’s about preparing for a brutal seven-game stretch to close the 2022 regular season where the Orange will face five ranked foes, Notre Dame at home, and Boston College on the road.
Let’s review some critical components for Syracuse football in the Wagner game and moving forward.
Get the running attack going
All-American running back Sean Tucker isn’t having a bad 2022 stanza to date by any means, but the Orange’s running game does need a boost.
Head coach Dino Babers even told media members earlier this week that there are likely to be changes in the ‘Cuse rushing attack, but we’ll have to wait until Saturday to see what that entails.
Improve on the offensive line
I thought prior to the 2022 season starting that the Orange’s offensive line would be really strong this fall. That can still transpire, but the ‘Cuse OL does need to get better.
Not only does an enhanced offensive line benefit the run game and Tucker’s performances, but it’s imperative that Syracuse football limits the number of times that quarterback Garrett Shrader is sacked.
Clean up the turnovers, penalties
In the Orange’s two-point triumph over Virginia last Friday night on the Hill, the ‘Cuse had way too many penalties (and that’s not the first time this season) and way too many turnovers.
With the foes coming up on the Syracuse football schedule, the team can ill-afford those kinds of miscues if it hopes to keep on winning.
Avoid injuries, pretty please
Defensive lineman Terry Lockett is out for the rest of the current campaign due to injury, Babers confirmed earlier this week. That makes at least four starters through four games who are unavailable for the remainder of 2022.
The Orange’s depth will be tested after the Wagner encounter, and the ‘Cuse really has to avoid season-ending injuries as much as possible.
Give reserves extended minutes
Assuming that Syracuse football is blowing out Wagner, this game represents a great opportunity for Orange players further down on the depth chart to pick up more playing time than perhaps they’re used to, and that’s vital.
I say this because, given all of the injuries that the Syracuse football roster has already suffered, more and more reserves could be called on as starters down the line.
Szmyt happens, but score more TDs
Placekicker Andre Szmyt was the team’s MVP when the Orange beat UVA, 22-20, in week four. He connected on 5-of-5 in his field-goal attempts, and he’s having a wonderful season so far.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that versus Virginia, Syracuse football only scored one touchdown, although credit the Cavaliers’ defense for playing well.
Moving forward, though, when the ‘Cuse squares off with the likes of N.C. State, Clemson and others, one touchdown isn’t going to produce triumphs.
When in the red zone, Syracuse football has to punch in touchdowns.
Gadsden is the go-to guy
Tight end/wide receiver Oronde Gadsden II has emerged as the No. 1 option in the passing game for Shrader. Keep getting the ball to Gadsden. He’s a total stud, and I think he has a chance to play in the pros someday in the future.
One game at a time
Babers continues to stress that Syracuse football players need to take things one game at a time and one week at a time. I agree.
It would be easy to look past Wagner and onto the Orange’s future opponents, but the ‘Cuse has to be laser-focused versus the Seahawks.
Win big on homecoming
This Saturday is the homecoming game for Syracuse football. The fan base is excited about what the Orange has done to date this term, even if the ‘Cuse has some things to clean up.
Per SU Athletics, Syracuse football is 3-2 in homecoming contests during Babers’ tenure here, and I’m supremely confident that the Orange will move to 4-2.
But more than just grabbing a victory, the ‘Cuse has to prepare for what’s to soon come. The squad wants to continue energizing the fan base, so that the Loud House will be crowded and loud for the rest of the Orange’s home encounters in 2022.