Syracuse Football: Why I still believe the Orange can beat Pittsburgh

I’ve read the social media posts and comments on my open letter post on Syracuse football. I’ve read the blog posts and articles including from my own Inside The Loud House brother, Neil Adler. I know there is frustration over losing. But I’m not ready to give up yet. I still believe this team can win.

Let me explain please if you’ve had the patience to read this far.

Firstly, Ohana means family and when my family is struggling, I can’t just turn my back on them. I will support them until it’s over and hope for the best. There are three games left and I am not one who assumes that just because there are struggles now that things can’t be resolved.

Second, I believe Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers and his staff are honorable and decent people who care immensely and are trying to fix the situation. I believe based on what I’ve seen that the players have not given up and therefore I won’t give up on them.

Why I still believe Syracuse football can beat Pittsburgh.

I have met Coach Babers not once but twice and he was as great and personable as I could imagine. I watch his press conferences and interviews regularly and am never embarrassed by what he says or how he treats the media and his players. In fact, I’m a huge fan of his demeanor on the sideline and the love I see towards his players and staff.

I have interacted with family members of other staff and believe they are people I would support coaching a team I’ve loved for over 40 years. I believe the families and children of the staff deserve better than negative and hateful public comments about someone they love and admire.

I believe they are assets to the community and should be welcomed to walk into a Wegmans without being told negative comments about the staff or team. And just like when a family member of mine is trying to achieve a goal, they have my love and support fully.

And lastly, I still think that not only are the last three games winnable but there are guys in that locker room thirsty to prove themselves when people are counting them out. Justin freaking Barron is basically playing with one arm and making plays. Alijah Clark is coming back from a suspension and seems determined to make a difference.

LeQuint Allen Jr. and Dan Villari are playmakers who are ready to make those big plays we need. Feed them the ball and let them lead the way.

So when my 4-5 Syracuse football team meets with the 2-7 Pittsburgh Panthers in Yankees Stadium, I’ll still go into that game believing in my Orange. And later, when they face the 5-4 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the 4-5 Wake Forest Demon Deacons, I’ll still believe that within that locker room lies a team that I believe is still capable of representing Syracuse University in a positive manner and isn’t ready to give up yet. And so long as they fight, I fight beside them and believe in them.