Syracuse is undefeated on the road in the Big East and winless at home. For at least one more work, SU fans are hoping that trend continues. Helping matters is the fact that they'll be lining up against a Rutgers team that has struggled at home not just this season but for a long time.

With two home games remaining for many of them, the 2007 recruiting class is just 16-10 at Rutgers Stadium.

Take away victories over five FCS opponents during that time and it’s 11-10 against fellow FBS schools.

Broken down in the Big East, it’s 7-5 at home in league play.

You want guarantees? Doug Hogue will give you a f**king guarantee (even if its not a guarantee for this week)

Pugh referred to it as a "heightened intensity," and Hogue noted that this will be a "big game" for the Orange. This Saturday, Syracuse heads into unfriendly territory with one goal in mind: coming out with a victory and clinching bowl eligibility.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to get that seventh win," Hogue said. "There's no doubt in my mind."

Greg Schiano doesn't get bogged down with specifics, like names.

No. 3 (Delone Carter) is a very good back. He is an NFL level back. No. 29 (Antwon Bailey) is also a very good back...The quarterback is a young, good football player.

He also proved that he's really not paying attention all that much to the Orange this season.

"Bob Casullo is a veteran special teams coach, NFL special teams coach. He does a good job."

O RLY?

Good news for the Orange on the O-line front. Michael Hay should be back and ready to play, though the official decision won't be made until Saturday. Alec Lemon and Van Chew have also been cleared. Whew.