Growing pains toughen Orange
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team. Syracuse
Dino Babers (4-8, entering second season; 4-8 overall)
4-8, 2-6 in Atlantic Coast Conference, finished seventh in Atlantic Division
Dino Babers’ tenure at Syracuse did not start ideally with eight losses, including a fourgame skid to finish the 2016 season. But there’s no doubt Babers and his players will never forget the moment they realized their potential following an upset victory at home last season against No. 17 Virginia Tech, winners of the Coastal Division.
After the 31-17 victory, ESPN cameras captured an enthused Babers delivering a thrilling postgame speech to his players that surely set the standard he expects heading into the 2017 season.
“They thought they were going to come in here, and just have an easy game,” Babers shouted to his players. “Somebody in Vegas told them they were going to win by 20-23 points. They didn’t look into your heart. They didn’t look into your heart. They didn’t look into my heart.” 4
9 10
1 QB Zack Mahoney, WR Amba EttaTawo, WR Brisley Estime, WR Alvin Cornelius, RB George Morris, TE Cameron MacPherson, LB Marquez Hodge, LB Ted Taylor, DB Wayne Morgan, OL Omari Palmer, OL Jason Emerich.
QB Eric Dungey, WR Ervin Philips, WR Steve Ishmael, RB Dontae Strickland, OL Aaron Roberts, OL Jamar McGloster, OL Evan Adams, MLB Zaire Franklin, DT Chris Slayton, DB Daivon Ellison, DB Rodney Williams, LB Jonathan Thomas, LB Parris Bennett, DE Josh Black, CB Christoper Frederick, DE Kendall Coleman, DT Steven Clark, K Cole Murphy, P Sterling Hofrichter.
Syracuse might boast one of the best wide receiver tandems in the ACC next season with seniors Ervin Philips and Steve Ishmael. Phillips is second among all active ACC receivers with 134 career receptions. Ishmael is fifth among active ACC receivers with 114 catches.
QB Eric Dungey returns for his junior season, but his health is Syracuse’s No. 1 concern. Dungey has suffered multiple concussions during his college career, and was knocked out of first game of November against Clemson following a hit to the head and shoulders.
How poor was Syracuse’s defense last season? The Orange surrendered nearly 39 points and 501 yards per game last season — worst in the ACC.
While Babers has his expectations set, Syracuse lacks the steady quarterback and the stifling defense needed to compete in the Atlantic Division. Syracuse might have a second season of growing pains to endure under Babers’ watch, but the Orange are heading in a positive direction.