259-197 YTD
Syracuse is a team in shambles. Dino Favors was fired and rightfully so. He not only lost his team a while ago, he was a TERRIBLE head coach, who was clueless almost every game and every play. He failed to prep his players, and was a TERRIBLE recruiter as well as developer of talent. Now, they play in a bowl game just barely qualifying with many of the guys not caring as much. The coach for Syrcause is a a position coach and has NO chance of a HC position at Cuse or anywhere anytime soon as Syracuse has Coach Brown ready to take over after the bowl game. This is NOT a win one for the gipper game. I've been around programs years ago with these coaching changes at this time of year, it doesn't usually fire the team up, unless the asst has the love of his players and has a decent shot at taking over for the previous coach. See Ruffin McNeil at Texas Tech for an example (2009 TT beat Michigan state after Leach was relieved), later hired by my alma matter and where he played (ECU).
McNeil was a players coach who the guys loved and adored, as evidenced by his time in Gville NC. This is not the same. Cuse is in shambles, South Florida is better organized, has a coach in place and will be ready and prepared for this game. 'Cuse is also starting redshirt Freshman Braden Davis under Center, and you think this kid will be prepared, not distracted?
Meanwhile the Bulls have a good passing attack, who gave Bama a battle, but have a poor defense. Further, this game is closer to USF (Boca Raton FL from Tampa) and I expect their crowd to show up while 'Cuse fans are less likely to make the trip in force.
South Florida+3
GL all.
Syracuse is a team in shambles. Dino Favors was fired and rightfully so. He not only lost his team a while ago, he was a TERRIBLE head coach, who was clueless almost every game and every play. He failed to prep his players, and was a TERRIBLE recruiter as well as developer of talent. Now, they play in a bowl game just barely qualifying with many of the guys not caring as much. The coach for Syrcause is a a position coach and has NO chance of a HC position at Cuse or anywhere anytime soon as Syracuse has Coach Brown ready to take over after the bowl game. This is NOT a win one for the gipper game. I've been around programs years ago with these coaching changes at this time of year, it doesn't usually fire the team up, unless the asst has the love of his players and has a decent shot at taking over for the previous coach. See Ruffin McNeil at Texas Tech for an example (2009 TT beat Michigan state after Leach was relieved), later hired by my alma matter and where he played (ECU).
McNeil was a players coach who the guys loved and adored, as evidenced by his time in Gville NC. This is not the same. Cuse is in shambles, South Florida is better organized, has a coach in place and will be ready and prepared for this game. 'Cuse is also starting redshirt Freshman Braden Davis under Center, and you think this kid will be prepared, not distracted?
Meanwhile the Bulls have a good passing attack, who gave Bama a battle, but have a poor defense. Further, this game is closer to USF (Boca Raton FL from Tampa) and I expect their crowd to show up while 'Cuse fans are less likely to make the trip in force.
South Florida+3
GL all.
