The Syracuse Orange (3-5, 1-3) are back home tomorrow night to face the North Carolina Tar Heels (2-5, 0-3). Kickoff is 7:30 on ESPN and here’s what we’re watching for in this one:
Kevin: Start fast
The Orange have failed to score the first touchdown in the last four games so it would do wonders for this struggling team to find the end zone first. Friday night games have a different energy even if this doesn’t have the same juice we thought it would before the season. It doesn’t matter how Syracuse
gets their points so offense, defense, special teams, just get a big play early and make their opponent chase the game for once. A young team can feed off the crowd so getting up can keep the fans engaged and not leaving early for those costume parties on Euclid.
Augie: Time of Possession
For the first time since week three against Colgate, Syracuse is heading into a game as the favorite. This is a big deal, as all the players in the locker room can shift into the mindset of being the “better” team going into a ballgame. That specifically can give the offense some confidence this week. It is not a matter of NEEDING to make each play in order to stay in the ballgame, this week the Orange can feel as if they just have the OPPORTUNITY to make the big play. I think this game will consist of two teams working through long, methodical drives and big plays will be few and far in between. Whoever has the ball more, will win the game.
Dom: All eyes on the quarterback
Coach Brown hinted Rickie Collins may not be the start heading into Friday night’s game. If he remains the starter, it means he impressed behind the scenes enough to get another chance after an 0-4 run as the guy under center post-Angeli. If not, who does the staff ultimately go with? With an offense in desperately need of a jolt, this is the must-watch storyline heading into Halloween.
Max: No mistakes
Regardless of who’s under center, the Orange must take better care of the football at home (three turnovers in each of their last two Dome games) to have a realistic chance to win. The good news is that North Carolina coughs it up fairly often, averaging nearly two turnovers per game. Limiting the interceptions while keeping the crowd engaged on defense is the boost this Syracuse team desperately needs.
*********************************************************************************************************What will you be watching for tomorrow night?
