Gameday is finally here! Tonight your Orange (6-6) take on Minnesota (8-4)
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MINNESOTA:
 |
| David Cobb leads the way for Minnesota's tenacious rushing attack. |
As I previously mentioned, Minnesota likes to run the football. Running back David Cobb is definitely the player to watch for on Minnesota's offense, as he's racked up over 1100 yards this season and has averaged over five yards per carry while doing it. While Cobb has a modest seven touchdowns this year, look for 6-4, 233 pound Mitch Leidner to provide a spark as well. The freshman also has seven scores on the season and has played a little bit of quarterback on top of running back so he is a dynamic threat for the Golden Gopher offense. Minnesota doesn't like to pass as sophomore quarterback Philip Nelson has only 1200 yards on the season. If Nelson struggles look for Leidner to come in to mix things up at the QB position.
Defenseively, there is one man you need to know on the Minnesota defense. All Big Ten defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman is a top NFL prospect for the upcoming draft, and he could make it a long day for Macky MacPherson and the rest of Syracuse's interior offensive line. Hageman leads Minnesota with 11 tackles for a loss on the season. Other than Hageman though, the Minnesota run defense has been very inconsistent throughout the season, averaging over 154 rushing yards allowed per game (against some very tough opponents), so it will be interesting to see how they handle Jerome Smith.
ORANGE UPDATE:
We all know what we're going to see from the Orange, a steady rushing attack and hard-nosed Scott Shafer defense. However, junior veteran wide receiver Jarrod West is back into the Syracuse lineup which gives Terrel Hunt another option downfield. For the most part though, expect Jerome Smith to be the focus of the offense for his last game in the orange and blue. Syracuse has averaged over 194 rushing yards per game this season between Smith, Hunt, PTG, and a couple of others.
 |
| Jarrod West's return could be a big factor in tonight's game. |
Durrel Eskridge has been ruled out of this one and that is a big hit to the Syracuse defense, however it would play more of a roll if Minnesota had a threatening passing attack. Look for Jay Bromley and Marquis Spruill to hold it down for the Syracuse defense who hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season long.
MATCHUP THAT WILL DECIDE THE GAME:
The real matchup that is going to decide who goes home with the Texas Bowl is the Syracuse run-defense against David Cobb and the Golden Gopher rushing attack. As I already mentioned, Minnesota loves to run the ball. Syracuse has the 26th ranked run defense in the country, and they're going to have to slow down David Cobb if they want a shot to win this one. Senior defensive tackle Jay Bromley will look to penetrate the Golden Gophers' offensive line and disrupt the run before it can get to the next level. Spruill leads the Orange with 13.5 tackles for a loss on the year. He will be just as important as Bromley in stopping Cobb and the Golden Gophers. If Syracuse is able to limit Minnesota's rushing attack, I like their chances in this game.
PREDICTION:
 |
| Ra'Shede Hageman is just downright scary. |
Terrel Hunt is going to have a full plate tonight. Minnesota's defense is 27th in the country in points against, and is coming off a game in which they held Big Ten Champions Michigan State to just 14 points. Syracuse is going to have to rely on its rushing attack to lead the way if they want to have a chance. I think Syracuse's defense will make or break, as it's going to take a heroic effort from them to stifle the Minnesota rushing attack. In the end: Minnesota is the slightly better team in an old school hard-nosed football game and ends up winning a close one 20-17.
Go Orange! ~ Ted Gioia
No comments:
Post a Comment