Quarterbacks

As grim as things may seem under center at Syracuse, it may be worse at Akron. The Zips are down to their third-string quarterback, Patrick Nicely. So even though Greg Paulus is fresh off two nightmarish Big East games, he’s the pick here. Still, Paulus may be one more ugly interception from getting yanked again.

Edge: Syracuse

Running backs

Delone Carter hasn’t been able to recapture the burst from his freshman year. His injury history may have stunted his breakaway speed. Through six games, Carter’s longest run has been 16 yards. But again, Akron doesn’t boast a game-breaking tailback itself. If SU wants to wear down the Zips on the ground – like Carter did against Maine – it probably can.

Edge: Syracuse

Wide receivers

Akron’s defensive game plan will be no different than every other team Syracuse has played this season: Stop Mike Williams. In all likelihood, SU will still be able to get him the ball. Whatever the scheme, Williams has found a way break loose. But this game could be a good opportunity to get other wideouts involved. If the Orange wants to succeed in Big East play, other guys will need to step up.

Edge: Syracuse

Offensive line

Doug Marrone has reshuffled the entire offensive line this week, whether it is due to injury or poor play. Ryan Bartholomew did a decent job filling in for Jim McKenzie last week, and he’ll have to do it again against Akron. Josh White and Andrew Tiller are unknown commodities and have a chance to prove themselves Saturday.

Edge: Akron

Defensive line: Akron only has four sacks this year compared to the 14 Syracuse has piled up so far. While the Orange doesn’t have the strongest offensive line, it should be able to hold off the Zips’ push in the trenches and give Greg Paulus plenty of time to throw. Art Jones is the best player on both lines.

Edge: Syracuse

Linebackers:

The Syracuse linebackers have been the best unit on the team so far. Led by Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue, the linebackers rarely make mistakes on the field. Even though Akron’s Brian Wagner is averaging over 10 tackles a game, the Zips just don’t compare to Syracuse.

Edge: Syracuse

Secondary

Akron may be 1-5, but it is difficult to imagine a secondary in the nation that has played worse than Syracuse so far this season. The Orange rank 118th out of 120 Division I teams in pass defense, allowing 284.7 yards a game through the air. Every opposing quarterback has seemingly had no trouble picking apart the defensive backs.

The Zips have a true freshman quarterback making just his second collegiate start Saturday. It could be the perfect opportunity for SU’s beleaguered unit to finally get on track. But through the first six games, it looks like the talent simply isn’t there.

Edge: Akron

Special teams

Syracuse ranks 31st in the nation in kickoff return average, thanks to the surprising play of freshman Mike Jones. Jones has been a spark in the special teams, averaging 24.3 yards a return, including a 79-yard return earlier this year. The Orange offense has struggled to consistently score points, but that’s no fault of Jones, who is giving his team good field position nearly every return.

Meanwhile, Akron does not stand out in any aspect of special teams. The Zips are ranked 88th in kickoff returns, and kickers Branko Rogovic and Igor Iveljic are a combined 3-for-9 in field goal attempts.

Edge: Syracuse

Coaching

Let’s not forget that Akron came into the Carrier Dome last September and embarrassed Syracuse, 42-28. It was likely the most inept performance of Greg Robinson’s tenure as head coach and is a game that has come to represent the Orange’s poor play during the last four years.

Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart will have his players fired up for this one, knowing they have already proven the ability to beat Syracuse on the road. It is up to Doug Marrone to force last year out of the players’ minds and focus on Saturday’s game. Syracuse is a better team than Akron, but we’ve seen that doesn’t always matter.

Edge: Push

Published on October 22, 2009 at 12:00 pm