Dino Baberse is inheriting a team that has a combined 7-17 record over the last two years as he enters his first season as the head coach of Syracus. That may make it seem like Syracuse will be one of the easiest games on the 2016 Notre Dame football schedule based on that record, but that may not actually be the case.
Dino Babers has shown an ability to win throughout his short four year career at Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green, and he is getting a young Syracuse team that showed some promise last year.
Closer Look at Syracuse’s 2015 Season
The Syracuse Orange were actually a lot better football team than their 4-8 record last year suggests. They had to play four ranked teams during a tough ACC schedule, and only lost one of these games by double digits. Anytime a young team is able to hang with Clemson, Florida State and LSU, you have to be impressed. The Syracuse Orange certainly will not be scared to play the Irish this fall.
Syracuse’s Young Offense
While he did not get much chance to throw the ball under coach Scott Shafer, quarterback Eric Dungey had a solid season as a freshman in 2015. He completed just under 60 percent of his passes with a total of 11 passing touchdowns. He was also able to add 351 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. If Dungey can adjust to Dino Baber’s, high tempo offense, then he should have no problem vastly improving those numbers in 2016.
In addition to a talented young quarterback, the Syracuse Orange also have a lot of talent at the running back position. Jordan Fredericks had to split time at the position last year, but he put up big numbers when he touched the ball. Fredericks averaged 5.9 yards from scrimmage last year, and he is also only entering his sophomore season.
The Syracuse Orange Defense
It was primarily the defense that let the Syracuse Orange down last year, but it is hard not to expect some improvement. Syracuse has one solid player at each level of the defense returning in 2016. Lineman Ron Thompson led the team with seven sacks, and he should be more motivated than ever during his senior season in 2016. Linebacker Zaire Franklin led the team with 81 tackles as a sophomore. Cornerback Antwan Cordy showed an ability to be all over the field with 68 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. If these three stars continue to improve and get some help from their teammates, then the Syracuse defense may be tougher than expected.
Syracuse May Have Special Teams Difficulties
Punter Riley Dixon is the only important senior that Syracuse lost after last season. Dixon averaged a very respectable 43.7 yards per punt last year. It is not known who will replace Dixon, but Syracuse has to hope they can find someone really quick. A struggling punter is just going to put more pressure on an already disadvantaged defense.
While Syracuse may struggle punting the football, they should have solid contributors on the rest of their special teams unit. Kicker Cole Murphy has made 76.3 percent of his field goals during his first two years in college.
Wide receiver Brisly Estime may not catch many footballs, but he has proven to be one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country. Estime averaged 18.1 yards on 15 punt returns last year while returning two for touchdowns.
If Notre Dame can contain Syracuse’s young offense, then they should have no problem winning this game on October 1. It just may be a little closer than most fans expect after two straight disappointing seasons for Syracuse.
The Last Time Notre Dame Payed Syracuse
Notre Dame faced the Orange just two seasons ago in the same venue they will be facing them this fall – Met Life Stadium. The Irish were 3-0 heading into the game including their 31-0 shut out of Michigan two weeks earlier. It looked like the Irish were going to beat Syracuse in similar convincing fashion but turnovers and mistakes resulted in just a 31-15 victory.
Everett Golson was at his best and worst against Syracuse that Saturday night. Golson set a Notre Dame record for consecutive completions and set his own career high with four touchdown passes, but he also turned the ball over four times. One of those turnovers was a pick six while two others were fumbles deep in Syracuse territory including that weird botched spike as the clock was ticking down at the end of the first half.
Golson still finished 32 of 39 for 362 yards on the day. Will Fuller was Golson’s favorite target against the Orange. Then a sophomore, Fuller hauled in six catches for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The recently retired Corey Robinson had one of his better games as well with eight catches for 91 yards.
The fourth touchdown pass of Golson’s day went to then sophomore Torii Hunter, Jr. Hunter was making his collegiate debut after injuries derailed his freshman season and then cost him the first few games of 2014. Hopefully Hunter finds the end-zone of Met Life Stadium again this fall.
