NFL
The Syracuse Orange are back on the road as they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels this Saturday. The Orange are on a bit of a slide, but there’s no reason to give up on them just yet. A 2-4 record isn’t what you want to see, but they’ve had opportunities to win. How do they capitalize against the Tar Heels?
Silver Lining
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Syracuse Orange were in a tight, winnable game. Yet, they walked away with another loss against Louisville. Another one-score game for the Orange, and that’s the tale of the season. Syracuse is just 14 points away from being 5-1. That’s where the asterisk needs to go, because yes, the Orange are still in a losing season and it “seems more of the same,” but looking back at the previous regime, SU’s average loss was 22 points, which eventually cost Dino Babers his job.
Put that in perspective when you’re venting your frustration, because it is frustrating. Their four losses this season combined are fewer than the average loss before Brown took over, and they’re doing it with their second-, third-, and fourth-string quarterbacks. This program has drive and passion. Make no mistake: it won’t be like this forever.
Too Close For Comfort
On the other side of that coin, the Tar Heels are playing the same brand of close football games. Except for East Tennessee State, their average victory is by 4 points. However, you also have to note that both of their losses were to Clemson in a one-score game they’d go on to lose by 8 and ranked (4)Notre Dame by 11. In close games like this, it often comes down to the same thing: mistake-free football and aggressive yet smart coaching. Fran Brown and company will have to stay on their toes as they face one of the most experienced head coaches in college football, Bill Belichick. You have to make every right move when facing someone with that level of success.
Dynamic Offense
Syracuse needs to get off to a strong start. Playing on the road against a tough, expertly coached UNC team will be a challenge. However, the outcome isn’t predetermined; it’s winnable. In 3 of 6 games this year, the Tar Heels have allowed 20+ points, and in all three, their opponents had an offense firing on all cylinders. The Orange are no different. Despite the QB injuries, they’re still finding ways to put points on the board, which is a good sign. If the Orange can strike early and often, and not trade FGs, they have a chance. They have to keep the pressure on.
This isn’t the first meeting between these two coaches, but Fran Brown and Bill Belichick will showcase their coaching abilities this weekend. The Orange have lost their previous matchups and need to find their footing. Can the Syracuse Orange keep up with the UNC Tar Heels? We’ll find out at 7:30 PM EST on Saturday.
