2006 Syracuse Orange Football Preview

Welcome to Maddux's 2006 Syracuse Orange season preview. As usual we have taken the time to break down the team, while providing information about the university, and the 2006 Syracuse Orange Football Schedule. If you are wagering on college football this season consider using Maddux Sports' College football picks for the added edge over the sportsbooks in 2006. In addition be sure to bookmark our free college football odds line service for the upcoming season.

Coach: Greg Robinson (2nd year at Syracuse)
Team Name: Orange
2005 Overall Record: 1-10
2005 Big East Conference Record 0-7
Returning Starters: 10

The Orange offense had fans seeing red last season as they could only muster an average of 13.8 PPG, placing them at 114 out of 117 in point production. They were 117 in third down conversions.

A new coordinator, Brian White, has been brought in, an attempt to get QB Perry Patterson (130 COMP, 273 ATT, 1,504 YDS, 6 TDs, 11 INTS) on the same offensive page as everyone else and a commitment to stretch the field are all part of the plan to improve things.

However, nothing will change until Syracuse creates a solid, tough offensive line. Last season Patterson was sacked 37 times and the running game averaged a mere 106.6 YPG! There’s talent at tailback and improvements in the receiving core, but it will mean little without quality linemen.

On defense the linebackers, led by senior Kelvin Smith (84 tackles, 2 sacks), look solid. But the secondary is in disarray, with their most talented player, Tanard Johnson, being suspended from spring practice. Dowayne Davis (2 INTS) is solid at strong safety, giving the Orange some stability.

The frontline is a work-in-progress, which means the Orange, who could not stop the run last season, probably won’t stop it this season either.

Syracuse won 1 game in 2005, and it could be that bad in 2006. They may find victory against Illinois, Wyoming or Cincinnati.

Syracuse Orange 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	Wake Forest	Road
Sep 9	Iowa	Home
Sep 16	Illinois	Road
Sep 23	Miami Ohio	Home
Sep 30	Wyoming	Home
Oct 7	Pittsburgh	Home
Oct 14	West Virginia	Road
Oct 21	Louisville	Home
Oct 28	Cincinnati	Road
Nov 11	South Florida	Road
Nov 18	Connecticut	Home
Nov 25	Rutgers	Road

 

For more data on the 2006 Syracuse football program, view the Orange team website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the Big East competition.