Syracuse-Duke Football (Sep 27 2025)
We'd love to hear your thoughts before, during, and after the game. It appears our technical difficulties from the last couple weeks have been put to rest.
My preview is here, focusing a bit of a look at Rickie Collins and how him starting the game should affect the Orange, as well as how his teammates can help keep things afloat with the quarterback change.
As usual, we'll have coverage on site on Twitter (@TheJuiceOnline), including postgame, and I'll be adding some thoughts here and on Bluesky (@TheJuiceOnline.bsky.social).
Good preview. I'm just hoping they don't ask Rickie to try to hit any tight windows. I think they need to run more and not come out like crap like they did against UConn. They were godawful for most of that game and while I think they have evolved past that, I thought they'd be fired up to play a regional rival. Maybe us old guys care more about crap like that (we do).
I believe in Jeff Nixon. The game plan won’t be the same as it was for Angeli and McCord. I have to think he’ll use Collins’ athleticism and speed as more of an asset.
I think those wind sprints at the end of the Connecticut game sent the right message. No more taking things lightly. We’ll see.
Injury list updates that I like: Devin Grant and Johntay Cook II getting bumped up from questionable to probable. Grant is probably the most important player on the defensive side of the ball for the team. I think there is a direct line from him missing the UConn game to the team's performance that day. Cook has seemed to take on Pena's role from last season as the receiver who runs a number of short routes, but tasks on yards after the catch. Draws eyes and attention away from the other downfield receivers.
Derek McDonald being out is a little bit of a concern because it thins out the linebacker corps. Anwar Sparrow should get more snaps as a result, especially on passing downs, which will be key since this team struggles to pressure the passer.
Duke's ability to scheme into mismatches for their skill position guys is extremely concerning. Deslauriers was beat off the cut on that first pass of the opening drive. Pass rush needs to help in any way. Interior run defense off to a good start, but that may push Duke to focus more on getting their skill guys into space on the perimeter.
My best guess is that the replay ruling is the ball was moving around before Cook's knee hit the ground.
I don't know how the hit they were looking at was ruled not targeting. Shoulder was clearly initiating contact to Cook's helmet.
So, is Fran Brown just absolved from the defense? I'm asking because he has been a defensive coach his entire career before getting the Syracuse head coaching job and everyone tends to blame Elijah Robinson when things go poorly on that side of the ball.
This is a complete defensive capitulation. It's fair to question Fran about it. Playcalling should've been adjusted. Collins isn't Angeli, not close. Use his mobility more and run first. This game is basically over and the coaches deserve some of the blame.
I know there's a let down after a big win but this is a Dino era no show. Pathetic. Fran needs to be asked why his team wasn't ready to play. Duke has a better game plan and their starting QB, who is shredding the SU "defense". They'll need to blitz more if they can't create pressure otherwise.
The defense quit on that possession. That's it for me today. What a disgrace. I'll be curious to see what Fran says about this.