Here we go, 1-0…!

Okay… the longest work week of the year is here. Let’s ride!

First of all, I want to preface this, the second “Dome Foam” entry with this. I’m conflicted about this game. Not because I think that the Orange will lose, but because my cousin will be lining up on the opposite side of the line. Outside linebacker, great kid, we’re very happy of him and all he has accomplished at Colgate. We will have many family members Upstate for the game, including myself. I’m very excited. I haven’t been up North since a lacrosse game last year, and this will be the first opening day game I will have attended since graduating. My grandmother will be in attendance, so I made sure to track down a parking pass as close to the Dome as I could. She is very excited to see all of the new updates to the building that have been made, and is especially excited about the air conditioning. All told, we’re a very proud family. That being said, Roll MF Orange. Next…

Coming into this game I have a few thoughts, I’ll list them below:

Garrett’s Arm — Ease Into It!

It’s no secret, even to the ‘Cuse football casual, that Garrett hasn’t been 100% since the hit he took against Virginia Tech his sophomore year [after transferring from Mississippi State] while throwing the winning touchdown. This offseason, it came out that he had to undergo a procedure on his throwing arm to put some of the nuts and bolts back in place, and he has been ramping slowly back up to 100%. When have the scheduling gods ever been this kind [or unkind, see Weeks 5-7] to Syracuse football fans? The Colgate game provides the perfect opportunity for Garrett to go through full-speed reps, and make some great throws, get back in sync with Oronde and Damien Alford, maybe put his head down and run, too. Then [knock on wood], get out of the game and get the guys in the room some game reps, too. I’m excited to see Carlos Del Rio-Wilson spin it all over the field in this game, as well as new South Carolina transfer Braden Davis, and let’s get Luke MacPhail in there [good guy, local guy]. This is such a valuable game for the quarterback room to get in sync with their guys and make some plays, but most of all, get out of the game healthy and happy. L’chaim!

The Young Men! Build the Depth

I’ll keep this section short and sweet. I’m very excited for a few of the young guys on this year’s roster that I believe could see very real and very meaningful playing time. I’ve already said that I think that Jeremiah Wilson is a breakout defensive POY candidate [he’s your starting corner Week 1], but here are some other guys I’m excited about:

— LeQuint Allen Jr. [1] — Because, obviously…

— Kadin Bailey [45] — Had a fantastic bowl game, and plays a similar style to Marlowe up the middle. Very excited to see this kid work in Week 1.

— Denis Jaquez Jr. [58], Francois Nolton Jr. [95] and Kevin Jobity [94] — The next generation of great Orange defensive linemen. These guys should be in the mix all year, and should lead the way for the defense in the future.

— Donovan Brown [87] — I was pretty surprised to see Donovan atop Isaiah Jones in the Week 1 depth chart, given some of the catches Isaiah made last year, but I don’t judge. I know the kid has blazing speed, so I’m really excited to see what he does against the Raiders.

And finally, I know he’s not a young guy, but let’s get behind your new starting C “Big General” J’Onre Reed, who captains the Orange All-Name team.

Let Oronde Cook, and Damien Too!!

I’d really like to see Oronde Gadsden and Damien Alford make some great catches out of new OC Jason Beck’s scheme on Saturday. I think it is going to be really important to get them involved early and often, and then mix the rest of the [deep] receiving room in, guys like Umari Hatcher, D’Marcus Adams, and Isaiah Jones have so much talent and will make plays all season long. Trebor Peña is out for Saturday’s game, but I’m sure it is more of a cautionary thing and that he will be back against Western Michigan.

I’m predicting a light crowd for Saturday, lots of kids, lots of families which will be nice, although I’m told that the students have sold out their ticket allotment, which is a sign of great things to come for the fan experience. I’m of the understanding that lots of people have bought in on this team. I know I have, and I believe that this game will be a great test for this deep and deeply-talented Syracuse Orange football roster. Dino’s first test of Year Eight is a great measuring stick for his guys, especially the young ones, and it will be great to see flashes of their brilliance as the game progresses.

Will’s Random Thought of the Day 08/29/2023

It’s been said that OC Jason Beck will be calling plays from up in the box on Saturday and relaying them down to Garrett/QB via in-helmet communication system. This is different from what his predecessor Robert Anae did, he called his plays from the field. To me, it makes too much sense, but Bobby Anae had great command of scheme and defensive personnel from the sidelines. Not sure what to make of this, but whatever floats his root beer I guess…