Saturday, The Fizz published damning comments from an opposing coach concerning the state of Syracuse football. The quotes were from an anonymous opposing staff in Athlon’s annual college football preview guide. The coach took shots at SU’s scheme, their recruiting approach, and believes the program is on the verge of wreckage. (Note to opposing coach: Last season was pretty much the wreckage.)
These highly critical and pessimistic comments were part of a pretty lengthy synopsis. Here’s what else the coach said:
“The offensive line is probably the worst in the league, maybe worse than Georgia Tech’s two years after the triple (option). You don’t have to blitz to get home on them, so you don’t really have to disguise much of what you’re doing.” – Opposing Coach to Athlon Sports
The line was at the epicenter of everyone’s frustrations last year, a combination of injuries and inefficiency. It led to hurried decisions by the quarterback, perhaps some injuries to offensive players, pathetic red zone production, and a disaster of an offense.
“They struggle up front on defense; that’s where you notice that lack of talent compared to the top half of the teams in the league… I think their situation is lot like Duke’s success a few years ago – it’s possible to have one or two really good years if the division is down. They’re on Clemson’s side, but but I think they feasted on programs dealing with their own down years, and now, that’s not the case. BC is better, NC State is better… it would be surprising if they were able to make another run.” – Opposing Coach
Looking back on SU’s lone winning season under Dino Babers, the ACC wins came over a rebuilding FSU team, UNC before Mack Brown’s return, and unranked BC, Louisville and Wake. Their lone victory over a ranked opponent was NC State. The Orange benefitted from beating an 0-8 Louisville team and a 1-7 UNC squad. The Eagles were 4-4, the Deacons and Noles 3-5. Indeed, the Orange beat mediocre teams in a down year for the division.
Hopefully the doom and gloom of this particular opposing coach is overblown. But it’s a sobering reality for Babers’ staff that opponents size up the program this way.
