SYRACUSE - When West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez thinks about Syracuse he envisions nothing but trouble. Fresh from a loss that put a damper on the Mountaineers' season, that's understandable.
Although Syracuse (1-4, 1-0 Big East) has struggled mightily, the Orange are still tied for first in the conference, thanks to a shocking 38-35 upset of then-No. 18 Louisville two weeks ago.
That got Rodriguez' attention.
“It was Louisville at Louisville. I don't know if it was because it was a conference game, but Syracuse had an extra bounce in their step, and they were clearly ready to play,” said Rodriguez, still smarting from last week's loss at South Florida. “They went after Louisville for four quarters. Louisville scored some touchdowns late, which they can do because they are pretty explosive, but Syracuse, in all three phases - from special teams, offense and defense - they looked good.
“You have to assume that since it's a Big East game, and we'll be at their place, that is the Syracuse that we are going to get.”
And Syracuse can expect the West Virginia team that averaged 47 points in winning its first four games.
On paper, this appears to be a major mismatch, especially on the ground. West Virginia (4-1, 0-1), ranked No. 13, has 1,413 more yards rushing than the Orange, who have gained only 203 all season, ahead of only Notre Dame nationally. The Mountaineers are averaging 120 yards more than that each game (323 and 6.6 yards per carry). In last year's 41-17 victory over Syracuse, they gained a staggering 457 yards rushing, paced by the duo of quarterback Pat White (247 yards and four TDs) and tailback Steve Slaton (163 yards and one TD).
Duplicating its Louisville surprise seems improbable for Syracuse because the Orange have been victimized this season by mobile quarterbacks - including Washington's Jake Locker (10 rushes for 83 yards and two scores) and Juice Williams of Illinois (12 carries for 90 yards and one TD). Opposing quarterbacks have accumulated more rushing yards (219) than Syracuse as a team, and that includes games against two foes - Iowa and Louisville - with dropback passers who combined to lose 17 yards rushing.
There's a chance the Orange might not have to worry about White.
He was hit by a helmet at the end of an 18-yard run late in the second quarter of that 21-13 loss at South Florida, limped off the field and did not return. He has been undergoing daily treatments for a thigh bruise and Rodriguez said earlier in the week that his status could be a game-time decision.
If White can't play, backup Jarrett Brown would get his second career start.
That got Rodriguez' attention.
“It was Louisville at Louisville. I don't know if it was because it was a conference game, but Syracuse had an extra bounce in their step, and they were clearly ready to play,” said Rodriguez, still smarting from last week's loss at South Florida. “They went after Louisville for four quarters. Louisville scored some touchdowns late, which they can do because they are pretty explosive, but Syracuse, in all three phases - from special teams, offense and defense - they looked good.
“You have to assume that since it's a Big East game, and we'll be at their place, that is the Syracuse that we are going to get.”
And Syracuse can expect the West Virginia team that averaged 47 points in winning its first four games.
On paper, this appears to be a major mismatch, especially on the ground. West Virginia (4-1, 0-1), ranked No. 13, has 1,413 more yards rushing than the Orange, who have gained only 203 all season, ahead of only Notre Dame nationally. The Mountaineers are averaging 120 yards more than that each game (323 and 6.6 yards per carry). In last year's 41-17 victory over Syracuse, they gained a staggering 457 yards rushing, paced by the duo of quarterback Pat White (247 yards and four TDs) and tailback Steve Slaton (163 yards and one TD).
Duplicating its Louisville surprise seems improbable for Syracuse because the Orange have been victimized this season by mobile quarterbacks - including Washington's Jake Locker (10 rushes for 83 yards and two scores) and Juice Williams of Illinois (12 carries for 90 yards and one TD). Opposing quarterbacks have accumulated more rushing yards (219) than Syracuse as a team, and that includes games against two foes - Iowa and Louisville - with dropback passers who combined to lose 17 yards rushing.
There's a chance the Orange might not have to worry about White.
He was hit by a helmet at the end of an 18-yard run late in the second quarter of that 21-13 loss at South Florida, limped off the field and did not return. He has been undergoing daily treatments for a thigh bruise and Rodriguez said earlier in the week that his status could be a game-time decision.
If White can't play, backup Jarrett Brown would get his second career start.
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