Syracuse’s upcoming contest against Maryland on Saturday could be a turning point for this team. Starting the season 3-0 after an embarrassing opening performance against Villanova would not only silence the doubters a bit longer, but also give the team momentum heading into the Notre Dame game. The Fighting Irish have a bye this week, meaning they should still be ranked in the top 10 heading into the primetime tilt.
Before Orange fans can look ahead to the Irish, the team has to knock off Maryland, a team the Orange manhandled on the road last season. Syracuse bullied its way to a convincing 20-3 win in College Park. The offense racked up 382 yards and the defense forced four turnovers. Durell Eskridge and Julian Whigham had interceptions, and the defense forced five fumbles overall, recovering two of them.
Terrel Hunt was relatively unspectacular throwing the ball against the Terps, only tallying 140 yards and an interception. The running game carried the Orange, with Jerome Smith gaining 118 yards and two touchdowns. Hunt added 67 yards of his own.
This year, the Terps will be starting the same quarterback, CJ Brown. Brown threw for 211 yards and two picks last season against Syracuse. He leads¬†a 2-1 Maryland team coming off a home loss to West Virginia.¬† Brown is a two-way threat. He’s stacked up¬†553 yards passing and four TDs, plus 219 yards on the ground.¬† The Orange is the last non-conference opponent Maryland will play before opens its first season of¬†Big Ten play.
Orange fans saw what kind of damage a dual-threat quarterback can cause during the Villanova game, so the team will have to play responsible defense. The early start means SU better be awake for kickoff.
Aside from containing Brown, the other x-factor is Hunt. We’ve seen just how different the Orange offense looks with and without Hunt under center.¬†¬†Last week Hunt used his legs to keep the defense on its heels all game. ¬†The passing still needs polish, and Hunt needs to be better. The receivers and the play calling deserves blame, too. SU is in luck¬†because Maryland is among the worst teams nationally in pass defense. The Terps secondary is giving up 343 passing yards per game, ranked 119th¬†out of 128 schools.
The rushing game will be key for the Orange as always. Like Smith last season, Adonis Ameen-Moore is a power back that could take advantage of the Terps soft defense. Maryland is currently giving up 133 rushing yards per game. Prince Tyson-Gulley is still trying to break out this season and Maryland might be the opponent to do it against.
After a pathetic showing in its first game, the Orange has a solid chance to start the season 3-0 heading into the showdown with Notre Dame.
Posted: Jason Weingold
61 responses to “Turtle Soup: Why Syracuse Can Exploit Maryland’s Soft Defense”
I’ve compared the two QB’s in this game and it looks like the edge goes to Maryland. Maryland has played 3 games in witch Brown has completed – 47-87 passes for 553 yds, 4 tds and rushed 35 times for 219 yds, 4 tds. Hunt has played 1.5 games in witch he completed 30-47 passes for 269 yds, 1 td and rushed 16 times for 117 yds, 3 td. Your statement here “Terrel Hunt was relatively unspectacular throwing the ball against the Terps” should show us all just how much he’s improved from last year. Statistics don’t lie,they’re telling me that Hunt hasn’t improved at all. Sorry folks for throwing this at you this early in the week. But last week knowing this game was up next,the coaching staff should have put another QB in the game against Central Michigan in the 4th quarter to possibly get him ready fot the Maryland game.
I hope Syracuse wins and wins big this weekend. If Terrel Hunt leads this team by throwing for and completing 25-31 passes for 250/300 yds and 5 tds while rushing 15 times for another 200 yards and 2 tds. Then and only then will I think that Terrel has improved and you then will have the right to consider him elite.
Syracuse won it’s game last weekend against Central Michigan 40-3,while Maryland lost to West Virginia 40-37. Based on those two scores it appears to me Maryland doesn’t have a strong defense and Syracuse should put at least another 40 on the board this week. I’m hoping Syracuse’s defense comes alive and carries the team to another victory making the team 3-0 headed into next week against Notre Dame.
My prediction for the game,Syracuse’s ground game led by Addonis Ameen Moore rushes for 225/300 yards and carries Syracuse to a 48-35 victory over Maryland.
I know Terry believe me I know, my(homie) optimistic view of the team is flowing over the edge of the glass that I’m currently holding in my hands drinking my daily dose of cherry cool aid. You know it is what it is. It’s too late in life and can’t be changed.
This prediction was taken from the syr.com website.
These teams combined for 23 points in a forgettable game last year at Maryland. This one might be a little livelier (the Terrapins have wideouts Stefon Diggs and Deon Long healthy, unlike last season’s meeting), but it shouldn’t be that much more exciting even though both teams had good offensive outings last week. It’s a coinflip, so give a slight edge to Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse 17-14.
I might have been a little exuberant with my earlier prediction.
Ron,
How can you say that Hunt doesn’t have the better stats. Anyone that can do basic math can tell you all of his stats for the current year are better on average than CJ Brown’s. If you were to just multiply everything hunt has done by 2 (1.5*2 would equate to 3 full games), you could get a more accurate picture. This would make Hunt 60 -94 (64%) vs CJ Browns 47 – 87 (54%) completion rating. It would also give Hunt 538 passing yards vs CJ Browns 553. Lastly, Hunt would have the equivalent of 32 rushes for 234 yards and 6 TDs. I’m not sure what you’re issues is with Hunt, but he is clearly the best QB on this team. Austin Wilson had one nice drive, when all of the plays were scripted to fit his playing style. However, he doesn’t fit into the current system that is installed at the Cuse. The sooner you realized this, is the sooner you can start enjoying this season, and stop harping on every one of Hunt’s short comings.
I didn’t even add the fact that CJ Brown has throw 3 interceptions to Hunt’s 0 interceptions this year.
Sorry bro, I looked at the game recap ot get the those 2014 game stitistics. Saturday will be Syracuse’s 3rd game of the season in witch Terrel Hunt has played for 6 quarters of the last two games with Austin Wilson in two quartes of the first game.
The game on Saturday will be Maryland’s 4th of the year. And their QB Brown has played every quarter for them in all three of it’s games. He’s thrown for 4 td’s and run for another 4 td’s. He’s got the edge wheather you like it or not. Sorry I ruined your day.
If your going on Saturday I hope you enjoy the game. I know I will.
And Terry you thought I lived in la-la land. Noexcuse,how can you multiply Hunts performance by 2. He hasn’t played 2 full games yet. You actually want me to believe that if we did what you suggest terrel’s numbers would be greater. Hell man if I or anyone did that, the people who predicted a 6 win season this year are predicting us in the championship game with a 12-0 record,all we need to do is multiply it by two. Can you imagine that Syracuse in the national championship game. WOW!!!!! We’ll have this discussion after Saturdays game.
This game is going to come down to WHITCH team plays defense. If Syracuse comes out and plays the same physical defense it did last week in Michigan we Syracuse win game with no problems!!! I think Hunt showed us last week what he can do. Saturday will tell us a lot.
Finger to big for phone key pad!!! Which=WHITCH haha
Thanks Dan, I hope the defense shows up and drills their QB. Everyone is predicting a low scoring game. Based on the scores of the 2 games last weekend I think it’s going to be just the opposite. It’s just my guess,no one knows how the game is going to turn out. I hope were lucky enough to be the victor.
Ron….they just can’t get it through their heads that Hunt is not an “elite” QB. You make perfect sense to me…..If the O-line can prove last weeks performance against a weak team is for real ….we win! Run Forest run is all I can tell you…..Hunt is slow in the pocket..slow in developing even the bubbles…that’s our boy MCD ..lots of bubbles!
I think ,we. Can win this one…Yes Dr Bill…this I.s one of my 4. 5 at best..after that..on any given SatUrday is our only hope.
I’d be giving Wilson some reps…if one dimensional means..drop back ..stay in the pocket….and QUICK release…..I’ll take it. I have more long term respect for our WR/ Backs than I do for Hunt! If the Oline can block we don’t need a QB that is a better fullback than a QB!
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Cuse17
for me,people using hypothetical situations are not or cannot face reality and will always have trouble facing the truth.
Let’s all multiply everything times 2. I’ve never heard of such a thing. WATCH OUT AMERICA, Syracuse using a new secretive weapon makes the first championship game using a new times 2 method.. Going to be talked about for a long time.
Ron,
You really have no idea what you are talking about. I guess you don’t understand some basic math, so I’ll approach this a different way.
HUNT Stats
Completion Percentage: 63,8%
YPA(Passing): 5.72
YPC(Running): 7.3
TDs (Passing): 1
TDs (Running): 3
INTs: 0 (This is more important the number of TDs thrown, as SYR runs more when down in the red zone).
Raw QBR: 82.6
CJ Brown Stats
Completion Percentage: 54%
YPA(Passing): 6.36 (Yes this is a little higher, but really reflects the type of offense that is run)
YPC(Running): 6.3
TDs (Passing): 4 (These are higher, but need to be put in context. He has played more quarters so more opportunity)
TDs (Running): 4 (These are higher, but need to be put in context. He has played more quarters so more opportunity)
INTs: 3 (This is huge. You win the turn over battle, you win the game)
Raw QBR: 50.9
Just looking at the simple stats above, it’s clear Hunt is the better QB through 3 games.
I know it been mentioned that Hunt is “elite”
Let’s remind ourselves that Hunt or whomever plays QB doesn’t have to be “elite” but play within the offense that Coach Mc is trying to run. Their are enough other players on offense that given opportunity will make plays and can be productive and successful on the field. Limit turnovers and move the chains = success..
NOEXCUSE
i carried a 95 average in basic math,89 average in Geometry,85 average in basic Algebra and a 91 average in Algebra in school at graduation time,what I don’t understand is your times 2 method to determine how good a QB is.
I did look at the QB ratings for both players, Terrel Hunt finished 2013 with a 50.5 rating and in 2014 is setting with a 145.5 rating for college QB’s. CJ Brown finished 2013 with a 135.9 rating and in 2014 is currently setting with a 115.7 rating.
Now averaging those numbers Hunt is setting with a 98.0 rating and CJ Brown is setting with a 125.8 rating. In order to make the numbers work you have to play the damn game. My grandson knows that much for God’s sake.
Now with all this put aside I want you to go to these article and read what other people are saying about Syracuse and Terrel Hunt.
http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/73718/by-the-numbers-terrel-hunts-future
NOEXCUSE
No matter what number you come with after using your(times 2 method)I STILL GIVE THE EDGE TO THE MARYLAND QB CJ BROWN.
NOEXCUSE;
I just found the website that you were using to come up with your stats on each QB.
2013 stats
Terrel Hunt RAW QBR 56.5 Total QBR 60.6
CJ Brown RAW QBR 53.5 Total QBR 56.9
2014 stats
Terrel Hunt RAW QBR 82.6 Total QBR 77.4
CJ Brown RAW QBR 50.9 Total QBR 44.5
These stats are misleading because when working with numbers you can get anything you want by fudging them.
example CJ Brown has played in 3 full games while Terrel Hunt has played in 1.5 games. What would the numbers be if you took 1.5 games away from CJ Brown and then computed his numbers? The more you play the lower your stats go.
I still figure CJ Brown has the edge in this game. But I promise you,your going to hear from me at the conclusion of the 2014 season when I compare them then.
When you look at the 2013 season the numbers are very misleading,Terrel Hunt replaced Allen in what the 3rd game of the season and beat Wagner. So his numbers for 2013 are comparable to CJ Browns because he didn’t play in as many games,but if he would have played as the starter in the first to games his numbers would have dropped. On the other side oif the coin,if you were to take two games away from CJ Brown his numbers would have been greater that what he finished at. The point I’m trying to make here is that numbers really don’t matter much. The only number that really matters to me is the national debt number. Now that I know where your getting your information from I’ll visit it more ofter and keep every one up dated.
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