2007 Syracuse Orange College Football Picks & Predictions


June 6, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Orange are on the verge of suffering their third straight losing season for the first time in 25 years. Syracuse football returns only 11 starters, making the Orange even younger across the board than they were a year ago. Andrew Robinson will be taking over at quarterback, a sophomore who has only thrown eight college passes. The 6-3, 222-pound Robinson says he is ready to rejuvenate an offense that finished No. 110 overall a year ago.

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The Orange running game, an area Syracuse showed a glimmer of hope in, took a big hit in the spring. Last year’s leading rusher, Delone Carter, suffered a hip injury and is expected to miss the season. Curtis Brinkley, who gained 571 yards on the ground last year despite nagging injuries, will become the workhorse. Robinson will be working behind an experienced offensive line that is fortified by five promising redshirt freshmen. All of his top receivers are back as well. Tight end Tom Ferron had 30 catches a year ago and talented sophomore Mike Williams had 24 catches while senior Rice Moss will return as the leader of this corps.

Head coach Greg Robinson elevated Steve Russ to defensive coordinator to help a unit that finished No. 107 nationally. Senior end Jameel McClain comes off a season in which he led the Big East with 9.5 sacks. The secondary appears solid with safeties Dowayne Davis and Joe Fields and cornerback Nick Chestnut. Syracuse will start three new linebackers in juniors Jake Flaherty, Vincenzo Giruzzi and Ben Malijovec. Patrick Shadle, who converted 16 of 18 field goal attempts last year, brings stability to the kicking game.

Is this team better than the one that closed by losing six of its final seven games last year? Definitely not on paper, unless Robinson’s recruiting efforts pay unexpected dividends. Turning the offense over to a new quarterback will likely mean more growing pains, and more than likely, a third straight losing season for the first time in 25 years.

Odds to Win BCS:
Sportsbook:  75-1 (Field)
Bodog:          50-1 (Field)
BetUS:         +1200 (Field)

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