NCAA Football FanHouse

Nesting Dolls Used in Syracuse Voodoo Ritual

Charles Rich — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:24:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, NCAA FB Fans

It seemed like a cool thing. A Syracuse alum traveling in Russia actually found a set of Syracuse themed nesting dolls. The dolls even have the numbers of the best players on the Orange squad for this year painted on the back.

#91 -- Brandon Gilbeaux, DT
#9 -- Andrew Robinson, QB
#1 -- Mike Williams, WR
#4 -- Taj Smith, WR
#97 -- Arthur Jones, DT

Who knew they were really cursed matryoshka dolls.

Let's look at the facts. The dolls were created in the bowels of the Kremlin, made from the ashes of Josef Stalin's remains, remnants of Hitler's brain and Orange #3. The ingredients were mixed together in a cauldron by this manand set in molds. From there they were placed in a shop that just so happened to be somewhere where American and Syracuse fan Bob Kalka would see them, just HAVE TO buy them, and bring them back to America.

And the curse had begun.

Clearly something was happening.
Taj Smith opted to enter the NFL Draft after his junior year. He went undrafted, signing a rookie free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers.

Mike Williams was suspended from the university for academic violations, and is at a community college trying to regain his eligibility. Brandon Gilbeaux was just suspended for academic issues of his own.

That leaves just Arthur Jones -- a likely preseason All-Big East player and who led the team with 17.5 tackles for losses -- and Andrew Robinson.

Robinson was doomed before this. As the QB behind one of the worst offensive lines, he took a beating last year. His situation has not improved. Now he has to fear that he won't even make it through training camp.

Mr. Jones is on notice.

Nesting Dolls Used in Syracuse Voodoo Ritual originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syracuse Loses Top WR, Fans on Suicide Watch (Yes, Again)

Brian Cook — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East

Things just keep getting better in upstate New York:

Syracuse's top receiver Mike Williams was suspended for academic reasons and is no longer enrolled at the school.

What is it about guys named Mike Williams? I don't know. Williams had ten touchdowns last year as a sophomore and was named second-team All Big East. Syracuse Blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician just wants to know one thing:

The backdrop is Phil Steele's All Big East team; you'll note Williams is the only Orangeman on the first two teams who doesn't keeck a touchdown.

Syracuse Loses Top WR, Fans on Suicide Watch (Yes, Again) originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don McPherson Is Unsure About Syracuse Fans and Greg Robinson

Charles Rich — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East

Don McPherson is one of the all-time greats out of Syracuse. He was also elected to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. He seems less than thrilled with what he's seen from the fans and the present football coach of his alma mater.

"Greg Robinson is the right person if everyone around Greg Robinson, including fans and alumni, really step up and support Greg Robinson," McPherson said. "He has to hear what people have to say and pick and choose what parts of that he wants to listen (to).

"When he came in and coach Pasqualoni left, there was a huge void that was created, especially in the New York metropolitan area. I was talking to a junior college coach, one of my old coaches from high school, and I asked that question, 'Are we doing OK down here? Are our coaches down here recruiting?' He said, 'They're here, but coach Pasqualoni used to come in and sit in the office and have lunch.

"They don't know these guys."

So, the head coach at Syracuse needs others to lead him? It isn't for him to create the support? Well, after a 7-28 start in his first 3 years, it would be hard for him to generate support at this point.

It just doesn't look good when one of the school's all-time great is saying that the present Syracuse coach and his staff isn't even remotely connected to the local schools they recruit. Admittedly, New York is not exactly a hotbed for football recruiting, but it is still the home base.

It's definitely a mixed signal from McPherson. On the one hand, he says that Robinson needs the support and could be the right coach. On the other , he is also saying that Robinson has done little to connect to the area and and recruits. That trickles down through the region and diminishes support.

Don McPherson Is Unsure About Syracuse Fans and Greg Robinson originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 21 May 2008 11:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Louisville Wins the Big East Draft Again

John Radcliff — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:29:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, NFL Prospects, Cincinnati Football, Connecticut Football, South Florida Football

I did this last year, so it seems only fitting that I would do it again.

And it wasn't even close. Louisville had five players drafted, while Pitt and West Virginia had three apiece. Rutgers, South Florida, Cincinnati, and Connecticut had two each. And for the first time since 1975, Syracuse did not have anyone selected.

That's 19 players drafted. And any way I slice it, that's just not all that good for a BCS conference. Looking at the distribution of what rounds the players were taken, it was pretty well spread out over the entire draft for the Big East. But that doesn't make it feel any better. It's especially bad if you look at a team like West Virginia that has had three 11 win seasons in a row along with three straight top ten finishes. They've had exactly four players drafted in the last three years. And Chris Henry and Pac Man Jones the year before that. So we won't even go there.

The ACC? Yeah, that conference we've been quietly laughing at after Miami, Va. Tech, and Boston College left. Yeah, they had 33 players drafted this past weekend. The coaching must really suck over there or something.

Pac 10? Oh, they had 37 players drafted. SEC? 35. Big 10? 28. Big 12? 27. Hell, C-USA had 11 players drafted! Patriot League? Never mind.

Even more upsetting for West Virginia fans, two players left early for the NFL and weren't drafted. Those two being Darius Reynaud and Johnny Dingle. Yeah, sorry folks. Those Dingle-Berry photo's won't be happening anymore. Those are definitely two players the Mountaineers could have used this year, though. I'm not saying that their stock would go up any with one more year of college. But it sure wouldn't go down.

Louisville will have the most holes to fill as well. You don't replace Brian Brohm, Harry Douglas, and Art Carmody. I know there are others, but those three were special at their positions. West Virginia won't be far behind with the loss of Slaton and most of the secondary and defensive line. Rutgers, well we don't know how bad it is because we haven't seen anyone but Ray Rice run the ball. The rest of the conference should be fine. And that's not a good thing if you think about it.

Louisville Wins the Big East Draft Again originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Manley Field House Was Officially Closed

Charles Rich — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, NCAA FB Police Blotter

It's been a while since Manley Field House mattered for Syracuse sports. The last time was when then Georgetown coach John Thompson, Jr. was declaring the building closed after the last basketball game played there.

So what does that have to do with Syracuse football? Well, Manley Field House now serves as the headquarters of the athletic department, among other things. One of those things is the Syracuse equipment room. A couple Syracuse football players decided they needed to get into the equipment room (did they need a spare jock?). Around midnight. On a Saturday/Sunday. They broke a roll-up metal gate to get in there.

Does it really shock anyone to learn that alcohol may have impaired their judgment? The two players in question, were senior Paul Chiara and freshman Mikhail Marinovich. Yes, another Marinovich boy playing football, substance abuse and in trouble with the law. What are the odds?

Manley Field House Was Officially Closed originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Big East Football Schedules Announced

John Radcliff — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:04:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, Cincinnati Football, Connecticut Football, South Florida Football

OMG! Football news! February is like the worst sports month in the world! Unless you like meaningless mid-season NBA and NHL games. Sure I love NCAA basketball. But that love has been tainted by my coaches fashion sense and my teams ability to rip defeat from the jaws of victory. So I'm kind of not liking February at all.

Anyhow, some good news today football fans. The Big East released the 2008 football schedule. And while that's nothing compared to being in the stands after hours of tailgating and screaming obscenities at opposing fans and players, it is a reason for hope. The hope that another football season will soon be upon us.

And lookie, there are actually some good out of conference games this year. In September:

Cincinnati @ Oklahoma-Will the Sooners crumble again in the face of Big East might?

Penn St. @ Syracuse- When this game was scheduled Jo Pa was heard saying, "That Paul Pasqualoni is a tricky devil. We're going to have to find a way to shut down McNabb!"

Kansas @ South Florida- The Bulls can't be looking at this game the way they were a year ago.

West Virginia @ Colorado- This game fills the void left by Maryland opting out of the series. And given the size of Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, that's quite a void to fill.

Iowa @ Pitt- Again, Iowa might not like this game as much as they did when they scheduled it.

Rutgers vs. TBA-Ah, the unknown enigma that is TBA. You just never know what team you're going to play.

October has two out of conference games of note. Auburn @ West Virginia and Pitt @ Notre Dame. This could be a buzz kill game for the Mountaineers. Even though it is a Thursday night game in Morgantown and the SEC doesn't know that you can play football on Thursday nights. It will be a tough test wedged in the middle of conference play. This could be a make or break game for West Virginia's national title hopes if they exist. Pitt has a score to settle with the Irish from the 2005 season opening game that, coincidentally, was the last time the Panthers were ranked.

This might be the last football news we get until spring practices start up in about a month. So enjoy it while you can.

2008 Big East Football Schedules Announced originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syracuse Announces Continued Empty Seats

Charles Rich — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:26:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, NCAA FB Coaching

I (and Ed Orgeron) realize that what an AD or university president says one day can quickly become undone the next minute, but when the AD puts out a press release saying the coach will be back -- and there are no games left to be played -- it's very likely true.

I have evaluated our football program now that the 2007 season has concluded and want to make clear that Greg Robinson remains Syracuse University's head football coach. [Emphasis added.]

Syracuse Athletic Director, Dr. Daryl Gross, did say that he has "set a bar of significant expectations" and that there will be some changes. This, as is common practice in coaching, means that various assistants will be sacrificed and scapegoated as needed.

There are various statistics one could throw out there that would suggest that bringing back Robinson to Syracuse is nothing more than the Syracuse Athletic Department skinflint tendencies rearing their head and seeking to avoid having to buy out the remaining two years on Robinson's contract or outright insanity. Things like a three year record of 7-28; a Big East record of 2-19; offenses that couldn't punch it in from inside the one-yard line on six tries. No, what should do it (and as a Pitt alum, it pains me to write this) is that Greg Robinson is 0-3 against Pitt and Dave Wannstedt. As damning a record as there is. Just let that sink in for a while.

The Syracuse bloggers are not nearly as stunned as you might think -- mostly. They are bothered, but they do see a silver lining. As the Syracuse blog The Axeman has pointed out, Gross has completely linked his fate to Greg Robinson's. Considering how despised Gross is at this point by Orange fans, the big picture of getting rid of both Robinson and Gross in one year might be worth another season of empty seats.

Syracuse Announces Continued Empty Seats originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UConn Actually Controls Its Big East Destiny

Charles Rich — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, Connecticut Football

With an easy 30-7 win over Syracuse, UConn is actually the team that is in position to win the Big East next weekend. The Huskies are 5-1 in the Big East and 9-2 overall. They will finish their season next week against West Virginia.

If UConn could pull the upset in Morgantown, the Big East and a BCS bid would be theirs outright. West Virgnia still has to play tonight at Cincinnati, and has to win to keep pace with the Huskies. The Mountaineers still have the Backyard Brawl with Pitt a week after UConn as well.

The UConn-Syracuse game was never in doubt. UConn just moved slowly and relatively easily through the Orange. The Husky defense was never seriously challenged.

This should be the final nail in Coach Greg "I am a good coach, really" Robinson's tenure as a head coach (at Syracuse or anywhere). 2-9 this season, 1-5 in the conference. In his 3 seasons, Robinson has won a total of 7 games and lost 27. Only Duke and Ted Roof has had greater ineptitude among BCS schools in that period. Worse than the Orgeron at Ole Miss and Guy Morriss at Baylor.

UConn Actually Controls Its Big East Destiny originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 17:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Greg Robinson Can't Read

John Radcliff — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, NCAA FB Coaching, Syracuse, The Word

My record as a blogger is somewhat iffy. I freely admit it. Some of my posts are widely viewed while others barely see the light of day. No biggie, that's the way it goes. But having said that, I can say this. Greg Robinson can't read! In his Tuesday press conference, Robinson proclaimed "I think my record can show that I'm a good coach." But Robinson's record in 2 plus years at Syracuse is 7-26.

A short memory is a good thing to have if you're a corner back, but if you're a coach talking about your level of goodness you need to come with the facts. Or have someone read them to you.

Watching the video (HT: Troy Nunes) of the presser, you almost feel sorry for the guy and wish Dick Cheney was watching his back as well. It's sad to see someone squirming on the hot seat. But this is the same Syracuse that has produced countless NFL players and has spent more time in the top 25 than out of it. A .500 record should never be acceptable. Never mind a 7-26.

Greg Robinson Can't Read originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syracuse, The Cure for What Ails You

Charles Rich — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, South Florida Football

From a #2 ranking to unranked with 3 straight losses, South Florida was reeling. Their BCS dreams, Big East championship goals all fell quickly. Of course nothing restores confidence and makes a team feel better than beating up on a bad team.

That is what USF is doing to Syracuse today. A 27-3 lead early in the 3d quarter and it could have been much worse. The Bulls committed 9 penalties in the first half to really slow things down and take away a couple other scoring opportunities.

The Bulls have been so much faster than the Orange. Completely taking away what had remained of the Syracuse running game. On offense, just moving through Syracuse's defense.

The biggest difference for USF in this game is that the Bulls seem to be remembering to run the ball with someone other than QB Matt Grothe. Tailback Mike Ford is having a great game and the first time he has run for more than 70 yards since the Auburn game -- which was also the last time he had more than 8 carries.

Syracuse, The Cure for What Ails You originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt-Syracuse Battle for the Basement

John Radcliff — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 13:47:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, Big East

With Pitt and Syracuse having less than stellar seasons, somehow this is the Big East regional game of the week. While Rutgers and UConn will be played in prime time and seen by nearly no one in New Jersey or Connecticut because ESPNU is kind of not popular in those states.

Comedy of errors in the first quarter for both teams. Huge goal line stand by Syracuse in the first quarter after Pitt moved the ball from it's own 19 to the Syracuse five in 11 plays to set up 1st and goal. The Panthers promptly ran the ball four straight times for four yards and walked away with nothing. Wannstedt must be questioning if they have any plays that work in goal line situations. Truth be told, I think Collins got in on the second play and was pushed back. Spotlight on Syracuse guard Ryan Durand for being an academic All-American and Outland Trophy finalist so naturally he gets beat twice in a row for a sack. Eyes bleeding....

Pitt looked to be taking control of the game in the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Bostic to Turner and a field goal to end the first half with a 10-3 lead. But after the teams exchanged punts in the third quarter, Syracuse inserted Cameron Dantley at quarterback and it paid immediate dividends as he connected with Taj Smith for a 56 yard touchdown and the game was back up in the air. With the teams trading punt the rest of the third quarter, it really was as if no one wanted to step up and take the game until the final play of the third quarter when Aaron Berry returned a Syracuse punt 53 yards to the Orange 13 yard line. And Dave Wannstedt's prayers were answered as the Panthers scored a touchdown three plays later with a LeSean McCoy one yard run. Pitt added a field goal midway through the fourth quarter to take a 20-10 lead. Syracuse would make a late run and cut the lead to 20-17, but the ensuing onside kick bounced out of bounds and that was the game.

Sleep inducing offense combined with awful announcing made this a tough one to sit through. Pitt scratched out 294 yards while Syracuse rolled up 266. But neither team turned the ball over, and the kept the penalties to a minimum. So they got that going for them. I can only imagine what Rutgers and Connecticut would have looked like in this slot.

Pitt-Syracuse Battle for the Basement originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 13:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syracuse Still the Best in New York

Charles Rich — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 20:46:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, MAC, Buffalo Football

It was a legitimate question at this point. The disparity between the two 1-A programs in New York, Buffalo and Syracuse, has never been narrower. [Editor correction: Army is also located in New York. Admittedly Army doesn't bill itself as New York's team as 'Cuse does, but no excuse for forgetting that they are based in New York and are a 1-A program] Under the stewardship of Greg Robinson, there would have been little surprise (but plenty of anguish) from the Syracuse faithful if the Orange had lost in the Carrier Dome today.

The Orange didn't lose, but it wasn't easy. Buffalo piled up the yards but couldn't get it over the goal line. Instead, the Bulls had to settle for 4 field goals. The big play that made it all possible for Syracuse came after they actually scored the first TD of the game late in the first half. Buffalo fumbled the kickoff, and Syracuse recovered at the 26. The Orange were able to add a second touchdown and take a 17-3 lead in the half.

The upshot, Syracuse can still claim superiority in the state of New York and it sets things up for a tremendous Big East pillow fight between Pitt and Syracuse in two weeks.

Syracuse Still the Best in New York originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 20 Oct 2007 20:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rutgers Hasn't Shown Much

Charles Rich — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, Rutgers Football

Sure that could apply for the whole season, but this is just about the pasting they put on Syracuse. The Scarlet Knights spotted the Orange 14 points before reeling off 38 points of their own. Against a Syracuse team that was 1-5 and has a defense that allowed 35 or more points in all but one game, it's hard to be impressed.

Ray Rice has had a statistically great game with just shy of 200 yards (196), 3 TDs. If somehow possible, Mike Teel somehow had an unimpressive 300+ yard passing game. Against the weak Syracuse secondary and little pressure up front all game, he still managed to throw an opening drive interception.

The Rutgers defense had little problem generating pressure on Syracuse QB Andrew Robinson, sacking him 5 times. The one bright spot for Syracuse was RB Curtis Brinkley who had 98 yards on only 16 carries. Brinkley was inexplicably limited in touches even in the first half when Syracuse had a lead and the game (technically) was in doubt. One more question for 'Cuse coach Greg Robinson to answer.

Rutgers Hasn't Shown Much originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Things Return to Normal in Syracuse

Charles Rich — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East

Both Syracuse and West Virginia have had their upsets this season. WVU went down to USF last week amidst offensive inefficiency and overall sloppy play. Syracuse somehow got everything together to take out Louisville two weeks prior. An offense that couldn't do anything right, suddenly did.

Not today. Everything is as you would expect. Syracuse has been inept and slow. West Virginia has been racing around the Syracuse defense and basically stands there on defense while Syracuse falls down.

41-7 West Virginia has the game well in hand in the 3d quarter. West Virginia has almost 400 yards of total offense while Syracuse has barely broken 100.

The only ones watching this one right now are Mountaineer fans, Syracuse masochists and sportswriters who are stuck in the press booth.

Things Return to Normal in Syracuse originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syracuse Returns to Reality

Charles Rich — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:48:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big East, MAC, Miami (OH) Football

With a noticeable ring of the Miami bell in Oxford, Ohio, and a definitive thud for Syracuse.

Miami (OH) went up on Syracuse 14-0. The Redhawks held on for a slim 17-14 win despite outgaining the Orange 446-315 and a nearly 14 minute advantage in time of possession. Primarily because the Redhawks turned the ball over 3 times on interceptions to keep giving Syracuse opportunities.

Syracuse was unable to do anything with it because the lack of an offensive line and running game once again made the difference -- only 65 total rushing yards. While Syracuse QB Andrew Robinson performed well, once more, the one-dimensional aspect and inability to sustain drives (3-13 on 3d downs) only made the 'Cuse cosmetically close.

Syracuse Returns to Reality originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Biggest Upset in College Football History: Not Appalachian State-Michigan

Brian Cook — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:11:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Michigan Football, Syracuse Football, Big East

...at least by one metric. Which is the metric we should definitely use because it exonerates Michigan. And by "exonerates" I mean "doesn't really exonerate at all."

In the aftermath of that whole Appalachian State thing -- I think Michigan might have lost or something -- many called the upset the greatest of all time. It may well be by certain definitions: Michigan is the only ranked team to ever drop a game to a I-AA foe and the first top 5 team to drop out of the top 25 entirely after an opening week loss. By any definition of the term "good," Appalachian State was not good. But the Apps were only a 22-23 point underdog, depending on who you listen to.

Syracuse, on the other hand...

The Orange was a 37-point underdog to the Cards, according to oddsmakers.

This would appear to be the biggest spread overcome in the history of college football. Other contenders:

In 1998, an 0-5 Temple team beat 5-0 Virginia Tech 28-24 as a 36-point underdog. That game is usually cited as the biggest upset of the past 10 years, point-spread wise.

A 1985 game in which Oregon State beat Washington 21-20 is often considered the largest point-spread upset. Oregon State was anywhere from a 36 to a 38-point 'dog, depending on which line you use.

So, all right! Michigan blowing it against Appalachian State isn't even within two touchdowns of the biggest upset ever! This makes me feel much, much better about everything! I am not lying about this in any way!

The Biggest Upset in College Football History: Not Appalachian State-Michigan originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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College Football Songbook: Steve Kragthorpe had Better Start Looking for a Job

John Radcliff — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:49:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Syracuse Football, Big East, FanHouse TV

The College Football Songbook is a weekly feature in which we'll be making as much fun as humanly possible of the most embarrassing moments in college football. Through words, music, and related video we'll leave a lasting memory implanted on the brains of the vanquished that they are not soon to forget.

Louisville? What the? You lost to Syracuse! Syracuse!!! I don't know that anything else needs to be said.

Special hat tip to Pete Holiday for putting the video together.

College Football Songbook: Steve Kragthorpe had Better Start Looking for a Job originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syracuse Downs Louisville

Brian Grummell — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Syracuse Football, Big East, The Word

Syracuse 38 - Louisville 35 ...

...and it wasn't even that close.

Louisville's 20 game home winning streak? Gone. National ranking? Gone. Brian Brohm's Heisman hopes? Gone.

Pride? Gone. They lost to freaking Syracuse.

Kudos to the Orange, but today's story is about the stunning and rapid decline of Louisville football. The unstoppable offense got stuck in first gear. The matador defense continued to let opponents pass and in the process Syracuse tossed a handful of long touchdown passes on the way to 400 yards through the air.

The Cardinals' defense is a joke and when they needed yet another offensive bail-out, it never arrived.

Big East play now revolves around a new "Big Three" of South Florida, West Virginia and Rutgers with Dark Horse Cincinnati in the mix. Who saw that coming?

Syracuse Downs Louisville originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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They're Booing In Louisville

Brian Grummell — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Syracuse Football, Big East, The Word

It's a slow morning for college football, but how about this score:

Syracuse 21 - Louisville 7

The boo birds are out at Papa John's Stadium thanks to a troika of long touchdowns by lowly Syracuse. There's no further proof necessary, scientist friends: Louisville's defense is among the worst in the country.

Even if Louisville pulls this thing out (and they have but a half to do it), Louisville is likely to completely plummet out of the polls. Steve Kragthorpe is a solid coach, but right now his team is making him look like a fraud.

That 20-game home win streak is in dire straits, as well.

They're Booing In Louisville originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Illini (Literally) Run Over Syracuse

Bruce Ciskie — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse Football, Big 10, Big East, Illinois Football

No one is surprised that Syracuse is off to an 0-3 start. That program is in a severe state of disarray, to the point that it's no longer a matter of "if" they decide to make a coaching change. There is virtually no chance for Greg Robinson to keep this team above water this year in an improved Big East.

The most startling revelation in Syracuse's awful start? They can't stop anyone. The latest demonstration of poor defensive football led to a 41-20 Illinois win Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

For the Illini, it was another super day running the football. We still don't know if they'll be able to throw it consistently, but Juice Williams has been accurate so far this season (60 percent) when he's been asked to throw. In Saturday's game, Williams hit 13 of 18 passes for under 100 yards, but at no point did the Illini have to do anything of note in the passing game.

That was because Illinois ran the ball at will, racking up 378 yards rushing at over seven yards per try. It marks the second time in three games that Syracuse has yielded over 300 yards rushing to an opponent. In the other game, the run defense was okay, but Iowa passed for almost 300 yards and four touchdowns.

Give credit where it's due. Illinois is improved. The Illini have a good defense (we all knew that), and they can run the ball a lot. They still need increased consistency from the passing game to be a Big Ten threat, but it's clear that Ron Zook has this team in a good position this year.

Rashard Mendenhall was outstanding running the ball Saturday, racking up 150 yards and three scores. Backup Troy Pollard was eight short of a 100-yard day, and Williams chipped in 90 more rushing yards. Illinois' defense didn't force any turnovers, but they kept Syracuse at bay for most of the day. The Orange couldn't mount much of a threat running the ball, and QB Andrew Robinson didn't do anything special throwing it.

The win boosts Illinois to a 2-1 overall record as they prepare for the conference opener next week at Indiana. They've recovered nicely from that heartbreaking opening loss to Missouri, and it appears they are every bit the bowl threat we thought they would be.

Meanwhile, one has to feel for Syracuse fans. The Orange haven't been the same since Donovan McNabb left, and it could be argued that the program had gone stagnant under longtime coach Paul Pasqualoni. However, "stagnant" is better than "bad", and they're bad right now. What's worse is that they're bad with no visible signs of improvement being imminent.

Illini (Literally) Run Over Syracuse originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 16 Sep 2007 09:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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