NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The Syracuse Orange are looking to find their footing again this week as they take on the Pittsburgh Panthers Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome. Syracuse has fallen into a bit of a slump after losing starting QB Steve Angeli for the season. How can they bounce back against Pitt?
Extra Prep
Syracuse is coming off a much-needed bye week, and that should be a good thing. Rest and recovery are great, but more importantly, it’s extra time to prepare for the game. It’s easy to say a team will be prepared week in and week out, but Steve Angeli and Rickie Collins are two different QBs in terms of skill set. Their play styles are different, even if they share similar traits. When you have to adjust your entire offense to fit a different QB, it throws off momentum. Collins hasn’t looked terrible under center, but he could use a little bit of polishing. Hopefully the bye week, they were able to accomplish that.
Plenty of Weapons
The Orange defense will face a tough challenge this weekend as Pitt knows how to spread the football around. Four ball carriers have crossed the goal line for Pitt, while 10 different receivers caught a touchdown pass, 5 of them have multiple touchdowns on the season. If Syracuse wants to stay in this game, they’ll need everyone to play their role and lock down their position. The unit doesn’t need to be perfect, but they have to play perfect complementary football. If a runner gets slowed up, swarm the tackle. If a defender gets beaten, the next defender steps in and doesn’t allow them to get further behind them. When a team spreads the ball out, it can challenge weak spots on opposing defenses.
History Favors Pitt
Syracuse needs to come with all they have, as Pittsburgh has owned this matchup. In 19 of the past 23 matchups, the Panthers have walked away with a victory. If the Orange don’t come out with a chip on their shoulder and set the tone early, then it could easily be 20 of 24. This needs to be their statement game, letting teams know they may be down, but they’re not out. If they can show the grit and determination to succeed despite their setbacks, it will go a long way to defining the program under Fran Brown. This is a must-win for Syracuse.
Nothing about the Syracuse Orange has looked like a team ready to give up on the season. Despite their struggles, they’re still fighting to improve. Can they turn this adversity into triumph?
