We’re pleased to be join by Mike McAllister of CuseNation.com, the exclusive home of Syracuse Orange coverage on the 247Sports Network as we preview the season opening game between the Flames and Orange.
1. The Orange are coming off a very successful 2018 season, due in part to the record-setting career of quarterback Eric Dungey. Tommy DeVito has had some playing time in Dungey’s absence, how confident is head coach Dino Babers and company that DeVito can get the job done?
Mike McAllister: There has been tremendous confidence in Tommy DeVito since he arrived. In fact, there are some things he does better than Dungey. Accuracy on intermediate and deep passes, for example. There are also things he does not do as well, like scrambling and using his legs as a weapon. They are different players. But Dino Babers has a lot of confidence in his quarterback. It is really not even a question mark entering the season, which is strange when you lose someone as impactful and productive as Dungey. That is how good DeVito has been when given the opportunity to play and in practice. There is every expectation that he will come out playing at a high level.
2. Syracuse has one of the best special teams units in the country with kicker Andre Szmyt who won the Lou Groza award in 2018 and punter Sterling Hofrichter who is one of 26 candidates on the Ray Guy Award Watch List. How important are those two and the special teams unit as a whole to Syracuse’s success this season?
MM: Special teams was critical last season and will be once again in 2019. As much as Szmyt and Hofrichter get most of the accolades, and deservedly so, the Syracuse special teams success goes beyond that. Sean Riley is a dynamic return man. The kick and punt cover units are elite as Syracuse has improved recruiting with the quality of the athlete they are bringing in. Dino Babers believes strongly that special teams success will greatly improve your chances to win.
3. Other than QB, what is the Biggest question mark Syracuse faces this year?
MM: I think it is the offensive line. Syracuse loses two starting tackles and a starting guard off of last season’s squad. There are a lot of moving parts there, and we still do not know who the starting five will be. So there could be some vulnerability there, especially early in the season. If I’m playing Syracuse, I’m testing the offensive line with stunts, disguised blitzes and other looks that could confuse and lead to breakdowns.
4. The Orange are a preseason Top 25 team and expectations are as high as they have been in some time. Are those expectations realistic?
MM: It’s hard to say. I think they are probably a bit too high among some fans, but they could have a very real shot of reaching eight to 10 wins. It depends on how quickly DeVito adjusts to becoming the full time starter, whether or not they can sort out the offensive line, and figure out the linebacker rotation. But probably expectations are a bit inflated, though repeating 2018’s success is still realistic.
5. What is the general sentiment among the Orange faithful about this game – having to travel to Lynchburg to face an FBS newbie on the road in game 1?
MM: Syracuse fans expect to win and expect to win somewhat comfortably. Playing on the road is always tough, but given that they won at Western Michigan to open the season last year along with expectations for 2019, fans expect a win. That said, most with that expectation do not know a lot about Liberty. They see FBS newbie and think Syracuse is a far superior team. I tend to think it’s a game that will be close for at least a half, but Syracuse’s depth will help them pull away late.
