Syracuse vs. Northwestern: Predictions
by Sean Keeley on Sep 18, 2009 12:41 PM EDT
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In my Q&A with Northwestern blog Lake The Post, I gave the following as my prediction for this weekend's game:
Gotta go with the Cuse winning a great back-and-forth game that comes down to the final play. Syracuse 28, Northwestern 24. Sorry 'bout that.
I wasn't actually sorry. I was in fact quite glad to do it. And I'm sticking to that prediction.
I see this one playing out somewhat similar to the Minnesota game. Both teams get on the board early but the defenses pucker up shortly thereafter. From there-on out it becomes a game of adjustments and re-establishing offenses. The Orange will have trouble defending the pass (as usual) but I have faith in Delone Carter and the running game. Paulus and the passing attack will likely have some issues but if Carter, Bailey & Co. can open things up with some Stallion trickery, Mike Williams begins a new streak. The game comes down to the final drive, of course, and the Orange either win it there or stop the Wildcats before they can do so.
Syracuse 28, Northwestern 24. The Orange go 1-2 and set up the opportunity to go 2-2 heading into Big East play. A whole new ballgame.
But that's just my highly-biased opinion. What's yours?
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Four point margin seems about right
Four touchdowns will be toughie though; too many visions of stalled drives. I like Lichtenstein to step up.
by lemonysnicket9 on Sep 18, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
Northwestern injury report: Simmons iffy
September 17, 2009 9:01 PM
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Northwestern has issued its injury report for Saturday’s road game against Syracuse (ESPN360, 7 p.m. ET).
OUT
* Linebacker David Arnold (leg)
* Running back Alex Daniel (ankle, out for season)
* Wide receiver Sidney Stewart (abdomen)
QUESTIONABLE
* Running back Jeravin Matthews (ankle)
* Cornerback Sherrick McManis (leg)
* Running back Stephen Simmons (leg)
* Cornerback Justan Vaughn (leg)
The big name here is Simmons, who has performed very well as Northwestern’s starter in the first two games (150 rush yards, 2 TDs). The junior likely sustained the injury on his second touchdown run against Eastern Michigan. If he can’t go, true freshman Arby Fields likely would get the start.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald said Wednesday that McManis is probable, and the Wildcats need him on the field to cover Syracuse standout receiver Mike Williams. Northwestern really missed McManis last week.
Matthews can be a playmaker as a runner and a receiver, so his presence would be big for the offense.
This bodes very well for Syracuse.
In the B.G. era.
We would often beat teams that we were “supposed to beat.” Coach P would have his annual WTF loss in non-conference play…. which gradually grew into having a partner in conference play (as did the mega blowouts). Good old G-Rob taught us that there is no such thing as a team we are “supposed to beat” whatsoever, by showing us that even the MAC teams of the world could manhandle us.
No more. I see this as the coming out party for having the optism going into games that we had back in 2004… when a loss to Rutgers would have been considered “disappointing,” without even knowing the score.
I say a battle-tested Syracuse takes it to Northwestern 27-16. Both teams move the ball decently at times, but Northwestern has to settle for 3 field goals and a TD, while we are able to punch it in 3 times and add a few FGs.
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