2013 Outlook - Syracuse

Going into his fourth season as the HC of the Syracuse Orange, Doug Marrone has kept this team in the middle of the Big East pack most of the time.  Their record typically hover around or slightly below .500, and at some point, the Orange will need to position themselves to make a run.  Unfortunately, I don't see that happening during their final season of Big East play.



Offensively speaking, SR QB Ryan Nassib is this team's bright spot.  He has done well as the starter, especially last season.  He should have his best season yet this year, and I expect him to be one of the better QBs in the Big East.  Unfortunately for Nassib, his two primary targets from a year ago, and his top ball carrier are all gone.  SR WR Marcus Sales returns to the team after serving a season long suspension though.  He is talented, but his needs to get more focused on team, and less focused on himself if he wants to contribute.  SR WR Alec Lemon also returns at receiver, but he needs to stay healthy to develop into a legitimate offensive weapon.  At RB, the inexperienced SO Adonis Ameen-Moore is currently slated as the starter, but he will get some pressure from FR QB Ashton Broyld for carries.  Either way, there is not a whole lot of experience at the position to rely on for the Orange.  Up front, JR OT Justin Pugh is the standout of the unit.  He has very nice potential to develop into one of the best o-linemen in Syracuse history.  Unfortunately, none of the other guys on this front strike me as anything more than average ball players.  As a group, I am concerned that Syracuse may continue to struggle, unless Pugh's play can elevate those around him.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Orange have lost their top playmaker as DE Chandler Jones has moved onto the NFL.  Left to carry the load up front will be SR DE Deon Goggins.  Goggins has shown the ability to penetrate into the backfield.  Now we will have to see if he can do it again, without the benefit of Jones garnering so much attention from the opposing team.  The linebackers will be led by JR MLB Marquis Spruill and SO OLB Dyshawn Davis.  Both guys played well a year ago, and both could be in line for a breakout season this year.  Unfortunately for the defense, the secondary has no such luck.  This unit comes into the season as the biggest question mark.  Without a true standout, it may prove to be difficult to control the passing attacks of some of their opponents this year.  The unit does have some experience though, projecting to start 3 JRs and a SR, so maybe they can get things done based off this knowledge.

I think the upcoming season may prove to be similar to seasons past under Marrone.  I expect this team to finish a game or two below .500 again despite what I look for to be QB Nassib's best season yet. I feel like the Orange lack the depth of some of the better teams in the conference, and I fear next year could be even worse with a new QB and a tougher schedule as they move into the ACC.