Pivotal to Syracuse football's success is how the offensive, defensive lines perform

Three areas that I'm watching closely as Syracuse football inches closer to its 2024 season commencing entail the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the Orange's special teams unit.

I'm in no way suggesting these are weak spots on the 'Cuse roster. Rather, I think that they will play critical roles in how Syracuse football fares in the upcoming term, which begins on Saturday, Aug. 31, when the Orange will host Ohio in a non-conference encounter from the JMA Wireless Dome.

In other recent seasons under former head coach Dino Babers, the 'Cuse has had some struggles on both lines, as well as in special teams. Whether due to a lack of depth, unfortunate injuries, too many penalties, or other factors, the Orange must improve on the offensive and defensive lines under first-year head coach Fran Brown if Syracuse football hopes to prove a legit contender for an Atlantic Coast Conference title in 2024.

Regarding special teams, I think that both the kicking and punting games can be solid, and a healthy Trebor Pena will provide a huge boost in the return game.

Syracuse football eyes a strong offensive and defensive line in the upcoming season.

A little context. Brown and his top-flight staff have talent across the board on their 2024 roster, inclusive of guys who returned to the Hill for another season, college transfers and incoming freshmen from the high school level.

Barring injuries, the Orange's passing and rushing attacks should prove potent. Senior quarterback Kyle McCord, a four-star transfer from Ohio State, has ample weapons in his throwing arsenal, including wide receivers, tight ends and running backs.

Junior LeQuint Allen Jr., an All-ACC performer in 2023, leads a running back room that has plenty of depth.

On the defensive side, the 'Cuse is formidable at the linebacker position group and in the secondary, led by elite players such as Marlowe Wax Jr., Justin Barron and many others at LB and defensive back.

What's more, edge rusher Fadil Diggs, a four-star transfer from Texas A&M, is poised for a monster 2024 term, according to various ACC and national pundits.

So with all of this as a backdrop, my focus is on the aforementioned offensive and defensive lines, in particular.

Regarding the offensive line, based on returnees, transfers and high school commits, the Syracuse football offensive line, on paper, appears to possess more depth than in other recent seasons.

To that end, McCord recently said of the Orange's offensive line, "I feel like from day one of spring till now, in my opinion, they are one of the most improved groups on the team," per a recent article from top writer Kay Racine of SyracuseOn247.

That's highly, highly encouraging. And the program has an excellent and veteran offensive line coach in Dale Williams, who has served as an assistant with numerous other college squads, such as Louisville, Purdue and Western Kentucky, among others.

On the defensive line, Syracuse football got some unfortunate news not too long ago when word came out that DL Braylen Ingraham tore his Achilles and would miss the 2024 season, as my colleague Alec Nederveld detailed in a recent column.

This, understandably, is a bummer for Braylen and does hurt the 'Cuse depth on the defensive line. Others, as Alec noted, will have to step up in Ingraham's absence.

Under new assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson, who is long-time friends with Brown when they grew up together in Camden, N.J., Syracuse football is moving from a 3-3-5 defensive scheme to a 4-2-5 scheme, which does entail an extra defensive lineman in this formation.

Based on various media reports of late, as the Orange is engaged in its preseason training camp, the defense is coming together, on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary.

"These guys are flying around, they play hard and try to be as physical as they can possibly be," Robinson said, per a recent story from top writer Chance Chamberlain of SyracuseOn247. "They are smart and I love the way they keep composed and the energy they bring every day."

Added redshirt junior linebacker Derek McDonald: "I think moving forward we're going to continue to grow and it's going to be really exciting to watch."