2008 Syracuse Orange Football Preview

2008 Syracuse Orange season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Syracuse Orange football preview as well as the 2008 Syracuse Orange Football Schedule. After reading this article check out our college football predictions against the current point spread.

Coach: Greg Robinson (4th year at Syracuse)
Team Name: Orange
2007 Overall Record: 2-10
Returning Starters: 14

The Syracuse Orange (2-10 overall, 1-6 Big East) have seen better days. Last season, they continued to perform miserably, earning the bottom spot in the conference. In an attempt to create some points, the team has hired its third offense coordinator in four years. The question is—what can one man do?

Last season, Syracuse was ranked 116th in points per game (16.4) and 118th in rushing (62.8 yards per game). The good news is that the backfield has some depth and talent. Senior FB Tony Fiammetta and sophomore TB Doug Hogue are the foundation of the running game. Additional help comes from two players who are returning from injury—Delone Carter and Curtis Brinkley. Also, freshman Averin Collier brings new talent to this unit. The go-to guy on offense is WR Mike Williams (60 REC, 837 YDS, 10 TDs). Junior Lavar Lobdell offers additional talent and athleticism. QB Andrew Robinson (292 ATT, 154 COMP, 2,192 YDS< 13 TDs, 7 INT) tosses the ball well. In two separate games last season, he threw for over 400 yards. The O-line just cannot give up 54 sacks like it did in 2007. Robinson needs protection.

The defense was ranked over 100 in all four major categories, including 111th in yards allowed par game (468.8 YPG). The one bright spot was nosetackle Arthur Jones, who in 2006 had 17.5 sacks. If he brings his game, he can be a difference maker. MLB Jake Flaherty (95 tackles, 45 solo) returns as the leading tackler and the only returning starting linebacker. The secondary is especially questionable with young and mostly unproven players.

This is a team that seems to have no swing games in its schedule. This club’s record will most likely be two wins and 10 losses. Still, Louisville on November 1 and Rutgers on November 8 could be surprises on the plus side for the Orange.

Head coach Greg Robinson’s (7-28 in 3 years) time is running out. He needs to show some improvement, but that’s not likely. A 5 and 7 season would be something. But that’s not a realistic mark for this club. The Orange may just have a new head coach in 2009.

Syracuse Orange Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Northwestern	Away
Sep 6	Akron	Home
Sep 13	Penn State	Home
Sep 20	Northeastern	Home
Sep 27	Pittsburgh	Home
Oct 11	West Virginia	Away
Oct 18	USF	Away
Nov 1	Louisville	Home
Nov 8	Rutgers	Away
Nov 15	Connecticut	Home
Nov 22	Notre Dame	Away
Nov 29	Cincinnati	Away

 

For more info on the 2008 Syracuse Orange football program, view the Orange football site or you can read about other Big East teams below.