SU opens practice for make-or-break season

Syracuse University opened football practice today, getting ready for a season that everyone – meaning the media and fans – assumes is a make or break season for coach  Greg Robinson.

 

The Orange are coming off a 2-10 season, they’ve lost the two biggest weapons from an offense that wasn’t so hot in the first place, and they have about half the starters back from a defense that was pretty leaky.

 

But Robinson, 7-28 in his three seasons, didn’t want to talk about his future during Monday’s season-opening press conference. In fact, he cut off questions about it before one even was asked. He wanted to talk about his team and it’s potential for this season.

 

That’s fair. The fact is, the immediate future does not look promising, but surprises do happen. The Orange have a good quarterback and at least three running backs who show great potential. However, the loss of receivers Taj Smith and Mike Williams has to be mitigated in some way, and the much-maligned offensive line has to show great improvement. On defense, well, at some point, the defense just has to stop somebody.

 

The season opens Aug. 30 at Northwestern, then the Orange play four  straight home games. That’s a good thing. If they can capitalize on the favorable schedule – well, I wouldn’t even guarantee a victory over I-AA Northeastern – maybe something good will happen.