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Syracuse comes into the season with more experience. That is the major plus. Now that it is officially August, it is time to start breaking down the Syracuse football schedule and taking a look at some of the top games for the Orange.
Villanova: This is a big game because it’s the first game. It sets the tone for the entire season. A first win will be a confidence booster for the Orange, coming off a bowl victory against Minnesota. The Wildcats finished 6-5, but took on some tough opponents. In Villanova’s first game, it visited Boston College in Chestnut Hill. Credit to the Eagles, they have overcome perhaps a rough part in the program. Chase Rettig led the team at quarterback and had a quality receiver in Alex Amidon. Of course there as Andre Williams, the running back who was a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. The Wildcats lost 24-14, but had shown the ability to keep up with a team that won a bowl game.
Notre Dame: This is one of the biggest games not only because of the Fighting Irish, but it is huge for recruiting. The game at MetLife is likely going to be televised nationally, and played in a major stadium in one of the nation’s largest cities. This game will get a lot of attention from Syracuse recruits to see if they can keep with Notre Dame. Like the Texas Game against Minnesota, high school kids want to see these big games to see how Syracuse manages it. 
Florida State: Although last year’s game for the Orange was a roller coaster for the entire game in Tallahassee, the Orange get their shot at the national champions on their home turf on October 11 as part of homecoming weekend. Although the Seminoles will go into that game as heavy favorites, the Orange are familiar with Jameis Winston, his offense and his defense. Now that these two teams know each other a little better, perhaps the game will be a little closer. This should bring in a large attendance for the Orange at the Carrier Dome, as Orange Nation gets its chance to see the champs in action.
Duke:¬†Florida State beat Duke to win the ACC last season, and again this is another chance to see talented competition in the Dome. For recruiting, this may be the time when high school students come to make their official visits. Games against the major opponents, the opponents who have proven themselves as contenders, always gather a large crowd. Big crowds put on a good reputation for the university and it gives the players that “I want to play here” feeling.
These are just four of the big games. Kicking off the season with a win over Villanova can give the Orange momentum heading into tougher matchups.
A win sets the tone for confidence during the regular season. A win in front of the home crowd could lead to big things in Syracuse. 
Posted by: Austin Pollack
44 responses to “Four Key Matchups for Syracuse Football”
Not exactly sure how the game against Fla. State last year would qualify as a “roller coaster for the entire game” unless you’re referring to a roller coaster that only goes straight down, and then derails and kills everyone on board.
I have reasonably high expectations for this team @ 6-6 0r 7-5 with a mediocre bowl. I feel this team will be better than last years team, but the schedule wont allow the record to reflect that.
I agree that Villanova, although a 1AA team, is a big game. If they squeak by, or god forbid lose, the fans will jump ship immediately, and this team will be playing in front of 25-30,000 fans at home. We need consistent attendance of 38,000 for the lower tier games, to 45,000+ for the bigger games. Come on cuse nation…let’s get it done!!!
I beleive that Kelly should have Notre Dame on upset alert leading up to the game against Syracuse.
The opening game against Villanova is going to be a hard fought game in which Syracuse should win.
Five games that I’m interested in are the Notre Dame,Louisville,Florida Stste,Duke and Clemson.
If Syracuse wins or loses in a close game to ND,then they should beat Louisville and Duke and give Clemson a run for their money this year.
The Pitt an BC games are going to be tough and Syracuse might split the two games or win both again this year.
We split Pitt and BC last year. I think we can win both this year. I think the biggest litmus test this year is Maryland. Yes they are in the Dome and yes we beat them last year, but they had a lot of injuries, will be hyped up about being in the B1G and Edsall loves taking it to his alma mater in Cuse. They are recruitign well in the same areas we recruit. A win that game could set us up as 3-0 going into the ND game (not trying to get ahead of myself, but…) but for that reason, it is a trap game. We can’t afford to look past them to ND. I agree with cuse 309, the FSU game was no roller coaster, and as for the Duke game, Shafer doesn’t like having officials on game days, so I am not sure how many recruits will be in attendence.
Since the end of last season with the win over Minnesota Terry and I have said that we don’t believe Terrel Hunt will be the QB for the season.
Well go to TroyNunes website and read the following.
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/8/1/5954049/college-football-betting-acc-division-team-wagers
Read the paragraph on Syracuse. I don’t believe that Terry and I are alone with our belief’s. The last sentence say’s it all.
So Hunt’s not the QB…WHY?
Specifically…what do you KNOW to be his shortcomings.
While Met Life is just over the GW if Christie isn’t making some political statement,its not in NYC The area is filled with SU alumni and should be well represented in the crowd. The game will be nationally televised and that helps recruiting IF we can win the game. Otherwise it becomes another Irish jig moment.
I think those are important games but like everyone said, last year’s FSU game wasn’t a roller coaster in the traditional sense.
Now as for T Hunt, I think everyone(supporters and detractors) have to give him a fair opportunity to see whether he has improved this year. I think an uptempo offense may favor him and the other pieces. He just needs to prove he can throw the ball. A lot of that lies with the wr ability to catch the ball too. So lets give Hunt a fair shake.
orangeinva;
If you really paid attention last year,you would have noticed that Terrel wasn’t the fastest pony on the field,he couldn’t throw the ball down field to a reciever,all he was throwing was those dump passes which many were thrown for losses,couldn’t hit the recievers over the middle either. However I will admit that Terrel’s best performance was against BC in the dome when he drove the team the lenght of the field with 2 minutes left in the game and with no time left on the clock threw to the TE Bennett for the winning TD.
My comments were based solely on last years performance and Shafer telling us all that he wasn’t going to anoint Terrel as the starting QB in 2014. I’m going to say this one more time. I felt the two QB’s to lead the team this year would be Austin Wilson and Mitch Kimble. Those two players stood head and shoulders above anyone else trying out for the QB spot in the spring football game.
Everyone is thinking that Villanova is going to come into the dome and lay down for the orangemen. I think the orangemen will win but it’s going to be a battle and a very close game. Syracuse 21-20.
Now mind you this has been my opinion since the last game played in the Texas Bowl. Earlier when they posted the debth chart they had AJ Long listed as the 3rd string QB behind Mitch Kimble and ahead of Austin Wilson. Something is wrong here.
Then I go to another website and read what other’s are saying about our QB and I find out that I’m not the only one who feels that we have better players on the team. Hell I didn’t even mention freshman Alin Edouard who many have him listed as a 4* athlete.
That’s what I’ve based my opinion on,sorry.
orangeinva;
I could be wrong,but we’re going to find out at the end of the month when Villanova comes to the dome for a Friday night game.
I’m going to Fan Fest on Saturday,I’ll let everyone know what happens then. all I can say is I hope we don’t rely on those little dump passes to much because if we do it will be our down fall.
NO need to apologize Ron..none at all.
LAST YEAR, Hunt did not throw the deep ball well…throwing motion/mechanics//receivers couldn’t get separation///lack of confidence -all played into that.
New receivers coach//time to develop better timing and chemistry//8 months to improve mechanics SHOULD allow Hunt to be more effective on deeper throws-UNLESS Hunt doesn’t do the off season work- which isn’t the case from what I hear.
You have to realize that Allen was made 1st string qb in mid August of last year and the first 3 weeks of September. For that critical 5 week period Allen was getting the vast majority of reps and HUNT was “parked”. Hunt was horrible early on but started to find his groove late in the season.
You state he wasn’t the fastest guy…
OK, but in his last 3 games he ran for 180 yards and 3 TDs.
People talk about that throw to the TE to beat BC and make us bowl eligible. But earlier in that drive Hunt converted a 4th and 9 with a 10 yard run. Incidentally, wasn’t that winning TD pass caught by Josh Parris…maybe I wasn’t paying attention AGAIN. Either way, he (Hunt)was talented enough to make BOTH of those plays.
I thought Wilson looked fantastic in the spring game…1 game//1 day. QB Coach Lester has HUNT on top. He has seen these guys more than anyone. We’ll see what transpires. To me it looks like HUNT is made for McDonald’s offense. I think he’ll be hard to unseat.
orangeinva
when it was first announced that Terrel would replace Allen as QB,I was real happy for him. He had his ups and downs during last season and that’s understandable. I had the opportunity to watch Terrel away from the game a couple times and I will tell you he was impressive. Where ever I saw him he always had a group of players(recievers and some linemen)that would accompany him. When I witnessed that my immediate thought was that’s what has been missing here at Syracuse,a QB building relationships with his team mates,building trust in his fellow players,a true leader of men. I haven’t seen that since the mens bball team back in 1994/95.
Then as the season went on and he uncovered his weaknesses my thoughts of Terrel started to change,knowing that syracuse had a couple of QB’s that probably could have done as well or better. I’m willing to let him play and see if he did improve over the winter. We’re going to have to wait for the season to start to see if he has or not. I’m really excited about the freshmen recievers. I’m really hoping for the best for Terrel,but if he struggles I hope the coaching staff takes swift action to replace him and doesn’t allow another Greg Paulis comedy to errupt.
orangeinva
Incidentally, wasn’t that winning TD pass caught by Josh Parris.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES,your correct,my bad,where did I ever come up with Bennett?
The Clemson game is the one that bothered me most last year. I thought that it wasn’t just Terrel that played scared “it was the whole team”. I think this year syracuse is going to be better prepared and will do better against the stronger teams in the ACC.
I hope Terrel Hunt has a season like Ryan Nassib did in his senior year. I hope he plays well enough to where he shut’s up his critics,you know guy’s like me and those who work at all of these websites who think they know it all.
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