There’s room for improvement for the Orange.
The Syracuse Orange sit at 5-1 at the halfway point of the season, so it’s a good time for us to look back at the first six games and ahead at the remaining six.
Today we answer this question: What is the biggest concern facing Syracuse in the second half of the season?
Kevin: Finishing drives
The Orange offense has been better than expected this season, but the Orange haven’t been as efficient in the red zone. Syracuse has made 31 red zone trips and scored just 25 times- 20 touchdowns and 5 field goals. This is 12th best in the ACC so far this season and I won’t pin all the troubles on special teams here. With the weapons that the Orange have, they can’t afford penalties or sacks when they are knocking on the door. We anticipate the final six games will be tougher so Syracuse needs to finish more possessions with an end-zone celebration.
Mike: Forced passive-aggressiveness
Let me preface that for the most part, I’m impressed with Fran’s in-game coaching decisions in year one. But some absurd special teams mishaps that are, frankly, out of his control are affecting what is in his power – when to go for it and when to take the points. The lack of confidence in even a 36-yard FG attempt is damning, as the Dan Campbell-esque aggressiveness that had been very successful early on is starting to become more predictable by opposing defenses who know the Orange are without a dependable kicker.
Max: Special teams struggles
It’s hard to believe the Orange are 5-1 given how poor their special teams unit is playing. Brady Denaburg and Jadyn Oh are a combined 5-for-10 on field goal tries with all five misses coming from 45 yards or shorter. Jack Stonehouse has had two punts blocked and another where he got tackled before connecting with the ball. The trust in the field-goal team was so low against NC State that Fran Brown chose to go for a fourth-and-5 inside the red zone with SU up by just three. Give credit to the offense and defense for picking up these miscues so far, but the Orange need to execute in all three phases to be a legit ACC contender.
Dom: Offensive regression
Syracuse’s ceiling the rest of the way is only as good as how productive the offense could be. To be abundantly clear, the trio of Kyle McCord, LeQuint Allen and this depth-filled receiver core has been consistent, mostly avoided turnovers and put points on the board (currently sixth in the ACC in PPG). Can that all hold up with tough tests looming against both Pitt, Cal and BC on the road? What if the injury bug or usual late-October slippage reappears? With the defense being inconsistent at times and the special teams concerns outlined above, the offense needs to continue being steady.
Carson: Lack of rush offense
Of Syracuse’s 2,817 total offensive yards this season, only 22% has come on the ground (626 yards). The discrepancy is understandable considering the success the Orange have had through the air — QB Kyle McCord, top-three in the FBS in passing yards and passing yards per game (360), three players averaging 70+ receiving yards per game (J. Meeks, T. Pena, O. Gadsden). That said, the inability to run the football will continue to hurt Syracuse. Last week, the Orange ran the ball 33 times for 78 yards (2.4 YDS/RUSH), including several negative yardage plays. Hopefully, the bye week will give Offensive Coordinator Will Nixon enough time to prepare for Pitt’s run defense — allowing less than three yards per rush attempt and only four rush touchdowns all season.
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What is your biggest concern so far?