Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

Syracuse doesn't play this week, and it won't return to Big East action until Halloween. Both of those facts look like good things for the Orange.

As competitive as Syracuse was in going 2-2 in its first four games, the opening two games of league play qualified as a step back for Doug Marrone's first-year rebuilding project. A 34-20 loss to South Florida was followed by last weekend's 34-13 humbling at the hands of West Virginia.

"We're creating too many mistakes, more so now that we've gotten into Big East play," Marrone said.

One of the major problems so far in conference play is turnovers. Syracuse committed nine turnovers against the Bulls and Mountaineers after giving the ball away just seven times in its first four games. Other concerns include penalties, third-down conversions (the Orange were 0-for-11 on third down against West Virginia) and red zone efficiency.

Marrone said the coaching staff will take the next few days to review everything they're doing in those situations and how they practice.

"It's really a big quality control week for us," he said. "The players will get a couple of days off to relax and be able to refocus. Getting the time off and getting away from the coaches right now is probably the best thing for them."

The Orange can equal last year's win total with a home win over Akron on Oct. 17. But whether they can exceed that total and even compete for a bowl game depends on how well they fare in Big East play the rest of the way. Remember that this is Marrone's first go-around in the league. And playing South Florida and West Virginia right off the bat isn't the easiest assignment.

"They have have lot of athletes on field," he said. "This gives us a better idea of where we need to go in recruiting and what we need to do in the future to beat these teams."

Syracuse could use the time off to reevaluate its immediate future, as well as to heal significant injuries on the offensive line and at tight end.

"It’s not just a cliché when people say it’s the right time for a bye week," Marrone said. "I’ll believe that we’ll be able to get our players back and we’ll be ready to finish storng in the second half of the season."