Syracuse starts fresh with a new coach, but a problem here is they face a dynamite Minnesota spread offense. Tim Brewster brought the spread offense to Minnesota (7-6 in 2008) and it has worked, as the Gophers averaged 23 points, 105 yards rushing and 206 yards passing. Junior QB Adam Weber impressed with 2,895 yards, 24 TDs and 19 picks as a freshman, when he led the Gophers with 617 rushing yards, and last season he had 2,761 yards, 15 TDs and 8 picks. Senior WR Eric Decker returns after leading the team with 84 grabs for 1,074 yards. He's a keeper. Throw in senior WR Ben Kuznia (310 yards) and junior RB Duane Bennett and this offense is loaded. Nine starters return on defense, led by senior Tramaine Brock, but they lost impressive defensive coordinator Ted Roof to Auburn. Minnesota is 9-18 SU, 14-13 ATS on the road the last five seasons. Minnesota is 26-17 over the total the last four years with a strong offense and sometimes suspect defense. Syracuse is rebuilding mode under new coach Doug Marrone, a relative unknown from the New Orleans Saints. He takes over a program in tatters that needs a lot of help. It was another poor season for Syracuse (3-9), 1-6 in the Big East. They have a new-look offense with QB Greg Paulus, a high school football star who played point guard for the Duke Blue Devils for four years, then transferred to Syracuse as a graduate student this spring. "He has instincts that are hard to teach," Marrone said. "He knows how to look people off, how to take control of the game and how to change plays..5? Marrone also likes freshman WR Alec Lemon, so you won.5?t recognize this team (for better or worse). The Orange have a new offensive line grouping of left tackle Josh White, left guard Ryan Bartholomew, center Jim McKenzie, right guard Jonathan Meldrum and right tackle Nick Speller. Marrone has been running tough practices. A few weeks ago, starting outside linebacker Derek Hines turned in his locker key and quit the Orange. Hines, a junior college transfer from California, had been penciled in as a starter at weakside outside linebacker spot by head coach Doug Marrone. The 2008 Orange allowed 27 touchdown passes and picked off just eight in a weak league for passers, so there is a LONG way to go. They are 3-10 SU/4-9 ATS at home the last two seasons.
Pigskin Prophet 9/5
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