With the NFL well underway, not only have we got the best football action to enjoy, but we can also relish seeing the superstars of tomorrow in college football. We can root for our old college teams and see talent nurtured across the country. It was college football that made the sport so popular in the first place. One team that seems set for a great future is the Syracuse Orange. Already off to a promising start, they could go on something of a roll.
The Rise of the Syracuse Orangemen
The Syracuse Orange have played football for 130 years and achieved an enviable track record in that time. From their home in the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University, the Orange has won a Division 1 Football National Championship, boasted two undefeated seasons, produced a Heisman Trophy winner and has 18 of its members inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. This is just a snippet of some of the accomplishments. Responsible for producing over 240 NFL players (which we’re sure is going to keep rising), the Orange have plenty to shout about. And that’s what fans have been doing in the Loud House recently as they look to continue their successful run.
A Shaky Start but a Solid End?
The beginning of the season wasn’t the best for the Orange. When September swung round, it seemed that the arms of their quarterbacks weren’t. Rival Clemson defeated them 6-41, and this was following on from a previous 43-point defeat at Maryland. Could things get better? Of course they could. And they did as Tommy DeVito helped lead the team to success against Western Michigan with a 52-33 victory. Then things were on the up and up. Another victory over Holy Cross, 41–3, showed the prowess that the team had been previously lacking. With a winning mentality now firmly in mind, the Orange have set their sights on more victories.
Attention on Winning
The focus for Syracuse is to build on the back-to-back wins and continue that throughout the rest of the season. We’ll leave it to the parents on Sports Day to say “it’s the taking part that counts” because we all know that it’s the victories that matter. Each win not only helps the team further up the rankings, but it helps to garner more attention to the team. No doubt it will attract the attention of those who like placing bets, backing American football matches, or those creating their fantasy squad.
College students, parents and peers will also be proud as there’s a common denominator for everyone to gather around and support. This feel–good factor of winning will only continue as the better the team play, the more likely some of the squad will be recognized for their talent, with the potential to make it into an NFL team in the future.
Consistency is Key
Syracuse showed us how they’ve turned their fortunes around, and their continued victories should be consistent throughout the rest of the season. They need to harness this momentum and maintain good results to rise in the rankings, and if the current form continues as it does, then they’ll be capable of doing just that.
One concern though is for DeVito, who left the last game with an apparent injury. There’s nothing worse than one of the top players being out injured, especially after a good run of form, but with a longer resting time until the next match (10 October against North Carolina State), here’s hoping he’ll be fighting fit.
However, consistency isn’t just guaranteed by one player. Thankfully, the Orange have a team who should succeed whether or not DeVito is playing. For instance, Andre Szmyt took away last year’s Lou Groza Award and could be a potential winner this year, too. Combine that with his partnership with punter Sterling Hofrichter, who has won yet another ACC weekly honor; and there’s a deadly duo, on form and ready to compete. Coach Dino Babers has been utilizing the tight end position, and the recent victories show it works. After a shaky start to the season, Babers has created the winning formula, and if it keeps on this way, championships could be in sight.
When Life Gives You Oranges
We all know the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. It’s not the same for oranges, though. When life gives you oranges, you make a university football team that sets a stadium alight. One that has won countless competitions and one that feeds stars into the NFL. And hopefully this season, it’s a university football team that makes it to the final. And wins it.