2011 Prediction & Game Story
Week 10, Syracuse at UConn
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Syracuse (5-3) at Connecticut (3-5) Nov. 5, 12:00, ESPNU
Here’s The Deal … Well, apparently Syracuse is unable to handle prosperity after all. Eight days removed from its exhilarating upset of West Virginia, the Orange barely showed up against Louisville, losing this past weekend, 27-10. It was a feeble all-around effort for a program that’s still not quite ready to spit out consistency on a week-in, week-out basis. Head coach Doug Marrone’s team is a win away from becoming bowl-eligible for the second straight year, a rarity of late in Upstate New York.
Connecticut has gotten a few extra days to digest last Wednesday’s defeat at the hands of Pittsburgh, a microcosm for this disappointing debut of Paul Pasqualoni as the boss in Storrs. Save for an Oct. 15 upset of South Florida, the Huskies have been a feeble bunch, regressing in all phases when compared to last year’s Big East Championship team that was under the direction of Randy Edsall. While mathematically alive for the postseason, the program is clinically dead until further notice. Fans of the ACC might pay particular attention to a game pitting two future members against one another.
Why Syracuse Might Win: The Orange has more weapons than the Huskies. Most programs around the country do these days. Connecticut has sputtered throughout 2011, ranking no higher than 85th nationally in rushing or passing. While not wildly more successful, Syracuse has shown a propensity for lighting it up every now and again. QB Ryan Nassib has only had one bad game all year, throwing 16 touchdown passes and just four picks. Against the nation’s 106th-ranked pass defense, he’ll have access to an ensemble of quality receivers, headed by TE Nick Provo and receivers Alec Lemon, Van Chew and Dorian Graham. Providing a change of pace out of the backfield will be shifty RB Antwon Bailey, the author of five 100-yard rushing games this fall.
Why Connecticut Might Win: The Huskies D has done all it could to overcome the ineptitude of the hapless offensive attack in 2011. And while the numbers sometimes tell a different story, the fact is that the defense is a solid all-around unit that can beat the Orange at the point of attack. Connecticut is top 30 in the country in run defense, sacks and tackles for loss, testament to its depth and talent in the front seven. Along the line is a collection of veteran run stuffers and pass rushers, such as DT Kendall Reyes and DE Trevardo Williams. Linebacker is where youth flourishes, including top tacklers Jory Johnson, Yawin Smallwood and Sio Moore. Louisville snuffed out Syracuse last Saturday, much the way the Huskies plan to this Saturday.
What To Watch Out For: A frail Connecticut offensive line that’s 119th nationally in sacks allowed will need to pay particular attention to Syracuse’s top pass rusher, DE Chandler Jones. After missing five straight games to an injury, he’s come off the IR with a vengeance, collecting three sacks and a couple of batted balls in his last two games. If Huskies QB Johnny McEntee has any chance of improving his tenuous grip on the starting job, his blockers will need to keep No. 99 out of the backfield as much as possible.
What Will Happen: Syracuse and Connecticut in questionable weather conditions will not win any style points, as both defenses and punters reside in the spotlight on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies actually have a chance to thrive in a defensive struggle that doesn’t tax the capabilities of their offense. The Orange has not played well on the road this season, needing a late field goal to cop its lone road win over Tulane. That trend will endure in Week 10, with Connecticut using defensive muscle and takeaways to continue its rollercoaster 2011 ride with a win over Syracuse.
CFN Prediction: Connecticut 23 … Syracuse 17
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Click For Latest Line From ATS: Connecticut -2
O/U: 44.5
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