2008 Syracuse Football


August 4, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Greg Robinson will be given another shot to resurrect the Syracuse football program despite a 7-28 record in three years as head coach of the Orange.  Syracuse is not far removed from their last Big East title in 2004 and their last bowl game during the same year.  But they’ve looked like everything but a potential Big East contender in Robinson’s tenure.  Can he get things turned around this season?  Find out with Info Plays 2008 Syracuse Orange football predictions and team preview below.

Offense:

With an offense that ranked 114th nationally in total offense last season, new coordinator Mitch Browning knows where to start.  The offensive line holds the key to Robinson’s future.  The offense has been terrible in route to a 2-19 Big East record in Robinson’s tenure.  Quarterback Andrew Robinson and receiver Mike Williams give the Orange hope in the passing game.  Robinson threw for 419 yards against Cincinnati in the season finale, while Williams had a great season with 60 catches for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Robinson threw for 2,192 yards at Syracuse while completing more passes than any team in school history, most because the running game was so ineffective.  But the line, which gave up 54 sacks last year, returns as a unit.  No one’s job is secure, but with five starters returning there’s a good chance they’ll all be improved.  The return of Delone Carter, who missed last season with a bad hip, should bolster a running game that ranked next-to-last nationally.  Freshman Averin Collier should also help a running game that averaged fewer yards (62.7) than seven Big East players last year.

Defense:

Though the offense took the brunt of the blame last year, the defense wasn’t much better.  This unit ranked 111th nationally overall.  But nose tackle Arthur Jones is a horse in the middle with 17.5 tackles for loss last year and he’ll be the leader of this unit.  The line also returns ends Brandon Bilbeaux and Vincenzo Giruzzi.  Senior Jake Flaherty is the only returning starting linebacker, finishing second on the team with 95 tackles a year ago.  Sophomore Parker Cantey is the frontrunner for the strongside spot after making two starts last year. 

The secondary features two senior starters at safety with A.J. Brown and Bruce Williams.  This secondary lacks experience overall though, with Brown making just five starts last year and Williams being a reserve.  Sophomores Mike Holmes and Nico Scott will man the corners after combined for 10 career starts between them.  Robinson’s recruiting will have to pay dividends now after last year’s unit allowed an average of 468.7 yards and 34.8 points per game. 

Syracuse Football Predictions at Info Plays:  8th in the Big East

The Orange went 1-6 in Big East play last year with a fluke win at Louisville.  It would take a colossal letdown for any Big East foe to lose to the Orange this season.  Daryl Gross, the man who hired Robinson, admits this season could be an awkward one if the Orange doesn’t make major strides.  Unless the line magically transformed and the running game finally becomes effective, Syracuse’s best-case scenario is a four-win season.  That’s not going to be good enough to save Robinson’s job. 

The Orange are looking for a way out of the Big East basement.  See if Red Zone Report writer Mark Scott feels they can rise form the bottom here.

Big East Wins Expected in ‘08:  None Expected

Potential Scares/Losses:  PITTSBURGH, at West Virginia, at South Florida, LOUISVILLE, at Rutgers, CONNECTICUT, at Cincinnati

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