2014
Syracuse
Football Betting Preview
with Schedule
Syracuse once again finds themselves in the second tier of the Atlantic division in the ACC behind Florida State and Clemson, but the addition of Louisville should make things more interesting. The Orange get a favorable slate to start the season before diving into the bulk of their Schedule. If all goes fall, they should be slated for another bowl Game this year, but not much more.
As a team, Syracuse struggled to Scoreon a consistent basis in 2013, hence their 22.7 points per Game. And when it came to better opponents, their defense didn’t really stand a chance. With 16 returning starters and loads of seniors on the defensive side, this should be a more consistent group.
Dual-threat QB Terrel Hunt is back at quarterback and according to the coaches, has a better hold on the offense. He managed just 10 passing TDs and eight INTs last year, but also had 500 yards on the ground to go with seven rushing TDs. He’ll be the key to taking this offense to new heights. Hunt has experience returning in the receiving Game with leading WR Ashton Broyld (52 receptions) and Jarrod West back. Prince-Tyson Gulley showed sparks last season at running back and will likely be the starter this season with a couple others competing for carries.
The Orange’s offensive line could be a problem with only two returning starters, but all projected starters are upperclassmen. And if anyone gets hurt, they don’t have much depth on the line.
The same can be said about Syracuse’s defensive line as they lose their best two pass rushers. Depth on both lines is an area of concern, and finding ways to pressure the opposing QB will be a top priority.
The Orange have a ton of experience on the defensive side as well with eight projected starters being seniors. That includes linebackers Dyshawn Davis and Cameron Lynch. The secondary has some playmakers in Brandon Reddish and Durell Eskridge, but they still have some depth issues there.
Syracuse should open the season with three straight wins as long as they can get past Maryland in the third Game. And then comes the onslaught of Notre Dame, Louisville, Florida State and Clemson in Four of five Games. It doesn’t help matters that the Orange also have to face Duke and Pittsburgh from the Coastal division, two of the tougher teams.
‘Cuse will need wins at Wake Forest, NC State and at Boston College if they want to reach a bowl Game, and those all seem likely unless Terrel Hunt isn’t as advanced as the coaches say. The Game against Louisville could possibly decide if they can once again finish in that third place spot in the Atlantic, although the road Game at Boston College could mean something as well.
The Orange are right on the edge of being a bowl team this year and six or seven wins should again be expected.
2014 Syracuse Football Schedule
Aug. 29 vs. Villanova
Sept. 13 at Central Michigan
Sept. 20 vs. Maryland
Sept. 27 vs. Notre Dame (in East Rutherford)
Oct. 3 vs. Louisville
Oct. 11 vs. Florida State
Oct. 18 at Wake Forest
Oct. 25 at Clemson
Nov. 1 vs. NC State
Nov. 8 vs. Duke
Nov. 22 at Pittsburgh
Nov. 29 at Boston College