Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
One of the big questions about Syracuse is how it will hold up throughout the second half.
The Orange have a young, thin roster because of player defections and the coaching transition from Greg Robinson to Doug Marrone. A few key injuries here or there could make the difference between a competitive team and one that has little chance of winning consistently in the Big East.
In addition to health, Syracuse will have to get much better play from quarterback Greg Paulus, who's thrown six interceptions in six quarters of Big East action. On the plus side, three of the final six games are in the comforts of the Carrier Dome.
Best case: Syracuse takes care of Akron this week, continues its mastery of Louisville and finishes with a flourish to knock off Rutgers and UConn. That makes for a 6-6 final mark, and the Orange return to the postseason.
Worst case: Injuries and youth take their toll. The Orange beat Akron but fail to win another Big East game, finishing the same 3-9 record as last season.
Prediction: No bowl.
One of the big questions about Syracuse is how it will hold up throughout the second half.
The Orange have a young, thin roster because of player defections and the coaching transition from Greg Robinson to Doug Marrone. A few key injuries here or there could make the difference between a competitive team and one that has little chance of winning consistently in the Big East.
In addition to health, Syracuse will have to get much better play from quarterback Greg Paulus, who's thrown six interceptions in six quarters of Big East action. On the plus side, three of the final six games are in the comforts of the Carrier Dome.
Best case: Syracuse takes care of Akron this week, continues its mastery of Louisville and finishes with a flourish to knock off Rutgers and UConn. That makes for a 6-6 final mark, and the Orange return to the postseason.
Worst case: Injuries and youth take their toll. The Orange beat Akron but fail to win another Big East game, finishing the same 3-9 record as last season.
Prediction: No bowl.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
BIG EAST SCOREBOARD
Friday, 11/27
11:00 AM ET Rutgers Louisville - ESPN2 / 360
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12:00 PM ET Illinois 5 Cincinnati 7:00 PM ET 9 Pittsburgh West Virginia
Saturday, 11/28
12:00 PM ET Syracuse Connecticut - ESPN 360
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3:30 PM ET 17 Miami (FL) South Florida
