Mountaineers look for Revenge against Syracuse

Head coach Doug Marrone has brought the Syracuse Orange football program back to respectability in just 2 years. Prior to Marrone, the Orange had virtually no defense to speak of and averaged a little over 2 touchdowns per game offensively. The ‘Cuse managed to put together a 7 win season in 2010 that was capped off with a 2 point win over the Kansas St Wildcats in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. This season’s squad was expected to finish right around the same mark by college football handicappers as they have lost more than half of their defense to graduation.

A 4-2 start may make it seem like their on pace for 8 or 9 wins this season, but they have yet to take on the toughest part of their schedule. Another reason to be worried about the Orange this season is that they have allowed nearly 10 more points per game that last year, and have actually been outscored 164-160. Syracuse has been involved in 3 overtime games already, and has been fortunate enough to win 2 of them. That kind of luck may change when they face the best teams in the Big East, and it all starts on Friday when they take on the only ranked team in the conference,

Taking over for Rich Rodriguez put Bill Stewart in a difficult position. The West Virginia Mountaineers football program had been resurrected to National Championship contention status in 2005-06, and has remained a perennial powerhouse every season since. This team hasn’t missed a beat with Stewart at the helm as they have won 9 games in each of the last 3 seasons. In order to get to the next level (BCS Bowl consideration) the Mountaineers will need to increase that win total to 10 or 11. At 5-1 this year and ranked 15th in the country, W. Virginia is right on pace to hit that mark.

Friday’s match-up against Syracuse comes with some baggage. It was the Orange that shattered the Mountaineers dreams of getting to a BCS game last season when they beat WVU at home as 2 touchdown underdogs. There’s no doubt that revenge will be on the mind of this year’s squad as they look to return the favor in the Carrier Dome.

Quarterback Geno Smith has been nothing short of sensational in his junior year, and is on pace to smash the numbers he put up in 2010. The reason for his success may be attributed to his work ethic and experience, but it’s been the improved play of his offensive line that has allowed him to move the ball down field with regularity. He has been sacked just 7 times through 6 games compared to the 28 he had a year ago. His 16:3 touchdown to interception ratio is what makes this high scoring offense so difficult to stop, and will make for a long night for the Syracuse secondary.

NCAA football handicappers have listed the Mountaineers as 14.5 point favorites on the road for good reason. W. Virginia is averaging a 19+ point margin of victory, and will be looking to make a statement to the BCS committee in this nationally televised match-up. Tune in as the Orange and Mountaineers meet in a Friday night Big East showdown!

 

Related posts:

1. Mountaineers looking for Upset over LSU
2. Bulls host Mountaineers in Big East Battle
3. Syracuse and South Florida in Big East Showdown
4. Syracuse takes on Virginia Tech in battle of unbeatens
5. Big East Showdown: W. Virginia & Syracuse

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