The (soon-to-be-annual) Pasqualoni Bowl
Syracuse Orange football (7-3, 4-3) is back at home to welcome the Connecticut Huskies (7-3) to the JMA Dome. Kickoff is at Noon on the ACC Network and here’s what we’re watching for:
Kevin: Fast Start Again
Last week Syracuse took a two-score lead before Cal ran ten offensive plays. It allowed the Orange to play from the lead and keep the Bears chasing the game. Starting quickly against UConn can force the Huskies to adjust their strategy. With three running backs averaging over five yards per carry, the Huskies will want to follow BC’s blueprint and keep the Syracuse offense watching from the sideline.
Sam: Wearing Down
If you only read NunesMagician’s football coverage, you have no idea who I am, but I’ve been watching UConn football for over 15 years, and this is the best team I’ve watched since 2010. Part of what makes them great is the ability to wear teams down on both sides, taking over the line of scrimmage late in games. It has allowed the Huskies to stay in games that they shouldn’t by getting quick stops when down in the second half (hello, Wake), allowing them to avenge dumb turnovers (hello, Temple). If the Orange get ahead, they have to put the game away – don’t leave the door open, don’t let the Huskies wear them down. (Also my Pasqualoni memories aren’t as fond as yours, Kevin, I don’t approve of the dek.)
Mike: Just Win Baby
I truly do not care what the final score of this game is so long as SU ends up with more points. That gets them to eight wins and – at minimum – tied for the second-best record post-Pasqualoni. It also keeps legitimate interest in Syracuse football going through their finale with Miami and into bowl season. Some people will point out that only two games have been multi-score wins this year and to that I say, in my best Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) impression: “Their point differential does not matter!” Wins are wins especially for a program that’s been desperate for them for two decades. Go get another one – and maybe break some program records while you’re at it.
Dom: Build up some cushion
Like in the Cal game, Syracuse’s offense will certainly need to start off on the right note. UConn has scored at least 30 points in its last two games, including at least 14 in the fourth quarter in each. Obviously, playing Georgia State and UAB is different than Syracuse, but this is a program that can score the ball pretty well. It can get dangerous if the Orange aren’t producing out of the gate as Kevin noted. Time of possession and who has the lead by halftime will likely dictate the outcome of this game.
Max: Syracuse’s third-down offense
The Orange are thriving on third downs this year, converting nearly 48% of their tries (10th in DI). However, the Huskies D has stood tall against their opponents in the same situation (29.7% third downs allowed, sixth in the country). While SU’s strength of schedule has obviously been much more challenging, I’m not counting out UConn entirely at causing fits to Kyle McCord and the Orange offense.
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What are you watching for on Saturday?