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Georgia Tech Football 2020 Preliminary Opponent Preview: Syracuse Orange

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Clayton Welch #11 of the Syracuse Orange throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Carrier Dome on November 30, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Clayton Welch #11 of the Syracuse Orange throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Carrier Dome on November 30, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Syracuse Orange look to move on from a disappointing 2019 season that saw them go 5-7.

The fourth season of the Dino Babers era in Syracuse did not go to plan in 2019. After an exhilarating 10-3 campaign in 2018, the Orange took a step back last year to 5-7. In 2020, the Orange will look to get back to their winning ways.

Geoff Collins and the Yellow Jackets will travel to Syracuse on October 31st to take on the Orange.

2019 Recap:

After being one of the darlings of college football two years ago, the Orange took a step back in 2019 en route to a 5-7 record. Their offense was average (28.2 ppg) and their defense (30.7) left plenty to be desired. After a season opening win over Liberty 24-0, the Orange got a dose of reality last year being blown by Maryland 63-24. The following week they were blown out again this time by Clemson 41-6. They did pick up two wins following that against Western Michigan and Holy Cross to get to 3-2 on the season but it would be ugly from there.

After their win over Holy Cross, Dino Barber’s squad would lose four straight and wouldn’t pick up another win until November 16th against a Duke. They’d lose the following week to Louisville but would finish the season on a good note with a win over Wake Forest.

Key Losses: RB Moe Neal, WR Trishton Jackson, LB Lakiem Williams

First up is running back Moe Neal who had over 1,000-yards from scrimmage last season with 846-rushing yards and 242-receiving yards to go along with seven touchdowns. A dynamic weapon out of the backfield, the Orange will miss Neal in 2020.

Neal isn’t the only dynamic weapon that Syracuse won’t have as wideout Trishton Jackson has also moved on. Jackson in 2019 had 66 receptions for 1,023-yards and 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Tommy DeVito will need to find a new favorite receiving target this season.

The last player is on the defensive side of the ball and that’s 2019 leading tackler, linebacker Lakiem Williams. Williams had a fantastic 2019 season posting 110 tackles including 12.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks.

Key Returners: QB Tommy DeVito, Three offensive lineman, DB Ifeatu Melifonwu, S Andre Cisco

In terms of key returners, the big name here is obviously quarterback Tommy DeVito. In his first year as a starter, DeVito showed some promise completing over 62% of his passes for just over 2,300-yards and 19 touchdowns. While the yardage number isn’t all that impressive, his 3.8-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio is admirable. He has the potential to develop into a really nice quarterback for the Orange.

A quarterback at times can only be as good as his offensive line allows him to be which is more good news for Syracuse. Coming into this season, the Orange return three of their five starting offensive lineman from 2019.

Our last two key returners come from the defensive side of the ball and the Syracuse secondary to be specific. Melinfonwu last season may have only had 20 tackles but he was strong in his coverage, bringing down one interception while having an additional seven pass deflections. Cisco returns in 2020 as one of the ACC’s best safeties, last season he had 65 tackles, five interceptions, and five additional pass deflections. He’s a game changer on that defense to say the least and will have to be watched carefully by any quarterback going up against Syracuse.

Overall:

Overall, the Orange in 2020 will most likely be in the bottom half of the ACC Atlantic and are looking at 5-7 or 6-6 record in our books. While they have talent, their 2020 schedule isn’t the easiest and with questions regarding weapons on offense and not a full offseason to improve in key areas on both sides of the ball, vast improvements seem unlikely.