After just four weeks of play, this has already been a big season for head coach Dino Babers and the Syracuse Orange football team. The squad, led by quarterback Eric Dungey has a record of 4-0 for the first time since 1991.
Four wins also matches their win total from each of the past three seasons.
The most notable of those wins came during their 30-7 week three victory over Florida St. at the Carrier Dome.
After that game, many people in the college football world began turning their heads at Dino Baber’s creation that in his third season, is finally starting to fully come together.
The offense, which goes by “Orange is the new Fast” has been really impressive thus far by averaging 523.3 total yards through their first four games. Over Dino Babers’ first two seasons the team averaged 440.8 and 456.3 total yards respectively.
Another offensive statistic that really jumps out is total touchdowns.
In 2016 and 2017 the Orange offense scored a total of 40 and 37 touchdowns respectively. In just one-third as many games, they have already scored 24.
On the other side of the ball, Baber’s squad has also seen some much needed improvement.
While the team’s total yards gained keeps going up, their total yards allowed is going down.
The previous two seasons Syracuse allowed 501.1 and 444 yards per-game.
While the offense has always seemed to have their fair share of explosive players like Dungey and wide receiver Sean Riley, it was the defense that seemed to be holding Syracuse back.
This Saturday the Orange are facing what is most likely their toughest opponent of the year. They are heading to Death Valley to take on No. 3 Clemson.
Of course as many remember, last season Syracuse pulled off an epic upset by beating Clemson in the Carrier Dome.
When it comes to questioning whether or not the Orange can do it again, this time on the road, I think it’s a toss-up.
Obviously anytime you have to go into Death Valley is it a huge challenge, especially when it is the number 3 ranked team. But obviously Syracuse is much improved and can definitely give the Tigers a run for their money, especially if Clemson decides to not take them seriously.
Ultimately, if Clemson is smart, which I think they are, their main focus will be containing Eric Dungey.
Obviously, Clemson has got a lot on their mind at the moment with their change at the quarterback position opting for Trevor Lawrence over former starting Kelly Bryant.
Bottom line, I believe this will be a fun game to watch, certainly not your average unranked team going on the road to face a top 3 team.