Boston College vs Syracuse: Orange Team Preview

We’ve finally made it. Sweet, sweet freedom from purgatory. This week we give thanks for that. Syracuse (3-8, 1-6) is barely* having a better season than BC, but this remains a prime opportunity for BoB to avoid being all alone at the bottom for worst BC record since 1978.

The Eagles have won two straight against ‘Cuse, the last outing a 37-31 barnburner in what would be the last game for Thomas Castellanos in an BC uniform. Grayson James took over halfway through, but Kye Robichaux and Jordan McDonald were the stars of the show and combined for 331 yards and three touchdowns in the win. ‘Cuse leads the all-time series 33-24. I’m not quite sure how to add a poll here, but curious which program folks would have rather had the past 10 years?

The Orange are freshly squeezed off a trip to Notre Dame, where they found themselves down 21-0 before the Irish* even had an offensive snap. The season began with three wins out of the first four, including an overtime win over UConn and two score win over Clemson. But since then it’s been seven straight losses for Fran Brown’s men. After a 10 win season, team turnover and injuries have been too much to overcome.

Offense

It’s been a sad run of it since quarterback Steve Angeli went down with a season-ending injury in that win over Clemson. Down to a walk-on, lacrosse-playing freshman Joe Filardi for this last game, things reached a new low. After 83 yards and two pick-sixes, he was pulled for Luke Carney, but returned later on and did avoid the shutout. Rickie Collins has played most of the season since Angeli went down, but has now been benched twice largely due to the 10 interceptions he has this year. Filardi clearly didn’t do anything different in this start, but I would imagine he gets the nod here. Regardless these two teams are the poster-children for mismanaging quarterbacks.

Yasin Willis is the leading rusher with 558 yards, but was out last week with a concussion. Will Nixon provide the receiving threat out of the backfield and has 531 yards and 3 scores from scrimmage. Johntay Cook and Darrell Gill Jr. are the team’s top two wide receivers, while tight end Dan Villari is another top target. All upperclassmen, Gill leads with five scores tied with receiver Justin Ross-Simmons for the team lead. Cook is just ahead in receptions (42) and yards (521).

Since Angeli went down Syracuse’s offense has cratered, averaging 11 points and 277 yards of offense a game. The last several games in particular have been rough for these receivers, with under 150 yards in four of the last five games and just four passing touchdowns.

Defense

If it weren’t for this dreadful offense, the ‘Cuse defense would probably be a bit better statistically, but that is not the reality we live in. They’re allowing 36 points and about 431 yards per game, very similar to BC’s numbers.

They’ve been particularly susceptible in the back end, giving up 250 passing yards per game, just 23 fewer than the Eagles, and allowing similar in terms of yards per completion. Davien Kerr has three of the team’s five interceptions, and Demetres Samuel Jr. has defended 8 passes.

Up front the rushing defense, it’s now BC a hair ahead of Syracuse (5.08 v 5.32 yds per carry). Notre Dame sort of skewed this a bit, so they’ve actually been a bit stouter, at least early on in games. However, the turnover marign means they quickly get worn down. They’ve allowed over 200 yards rushing in three of the past four games. Kevin Jobity Jr. leads with five sacks, and linebackers Gary Bryant and Antoine Deslauriers lead the team with 55 tackles apiece.

For all the cracks, BC still has the ability to put up points. Syracuse hasn’t proven as much these past few months, but they haven’t faced a defense quite like ours. That being said based on some post game commentary by Fran Brown, this Syracuse team is looking to the future. They might show face for their final home game, but the Eagles are a slight favorite for a reason.