FSU football: Behind enemy lines with Syracuse site InsideTheLoudHouse
Q&A with InsideTheLoudHouse (Part One)
CC: Florida State has been one of the hottest teams in the country where they have beaten the likes of LSU and Clemson, while Syracuse started the season with a 4-0 record before losing to Clemson and North Carolina. What have been the biggest concerns for the Orange through the two-game losing streak?
ITLH: “Without question, the last two games have been rough for Syracuse football and its fan base. We all figured this brutal three-game stretch: vs. Clemson, at North Carolina, and Florida State would prove to be a huge challenge, and many fans have been saying the Orange would go 0-3 here, which is understandable. Plus, while starting at 4-0 was fun, let’s remember that Syracuse football played Colgate, Western Michigan, and Army at home, and then Purdue on the road. Not exactly a gauntlet there.
For me, the biggest concern over the last two games is that the Orange has put forth a fairly anemic offense. In its first four games, the ‘Cuse was averaging more than 500 yards of total offense per game, albeit against so-so competition. Against Clemson and UNC, Syracuse football put up fewer than 300 yards of combined offense in each ACC encounter. That isn’t going to beat top teams like the Tigers, the Tar Heels, and, of course, the Seminoles.
Yes, the Orange has seen its depth at wide receiver diminish, with the loss for the season of preseason, All-American candidate Oronde Gadsden II and other receivers banged up as well. But for me, quarterback Garrett Shrader still has some weapons to throw to, and running back LeQuint Allen Jr. is a talented running back who also serves as a solid receiver.
The ‘Cuse has scored a total of 21 points over its past two games, and that has to improve against a Florida State team that is lethal on offense. Oh, and while the Orange’s defense was pretty good versus Clemson, SU allowed more than 400 yards of offense to UNC in the first half, and nearly 650 yards for the entire game against North Carolina. That, too, is a concern.”