The Syracuse Orange have made quite a turnaround since posting a combined record of 5-19 over the 2007-08 seasons, finishing with an 8-5 overall mark last year and a 36-34 win over Kansas State in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Syracuse will bring back 13 starters this season, but only five from a defensive unit that ranked seventh nationally in total defense a year ago, allowing just 301.5 yards a contest. The pass defense ranked first in the Big East conference.
Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer’s strength this season will be on the line, as two talented pieces return in All-Big East second team member Chandler Jones and Mikhail Marinovich.
The linebacking core lost two of its three starters from a year ago, including two All-Big East members. Seven of the 10 names listed on the initial depth chart are eight freshman or walk-ons.
Plenty of time in camp before the season opener against Wake Forest will be spent in putting together a secondary, as the school must replace both starting cornerbacks. Marrone has voiced a sense of confidence in some of his young players stepping up and assuming the roles.
Offensively, the team could improve greatly on finishing 93rd nationally in scoring, averaging just 22.2 points per game. The numbers dropped significantly during conference action, putting up less than 17 points versus Big East competition.
Junior quarterback Ryan Nassib took care of the ball by throwing 19 touchdowns and just eight interceptions a year ago. It didn’t result in a positive turnover ration, as the team finished minus-4 in that category.
Nassib will be protected by an offensive line that returns four starters and the coaching staff is proud of the depth that has been stockpiled over the last three years at the position. Marrone has spent tireless hours grooming this unit for a breakout year.
The Orange will also have the luxury of bringing back their top five wide receivers from a year ago, led by senior Van Chew, who led the team with 41 catches after tallying just 10 in his first two years combined on campus.
Senior running back Antwon Bailey takes over for the departed Delonte Carter, showing some big play ability by averaging 4.9 yards a carry while appearing in all 13 games last year.
Syracuse finished the 2010 season with an 8-5 ATS mark and covered six of seven games on the road. Don’t miss out on the opportunity of backing the team if it happens to drop consecutive games, as Marrone is 5-0 ATS in that particular situation.