Every team has issues to address this offseason, and this week, we’re taking a look at the most glaring holes for each ACC team and figuring out where they might find answers between now and the season opener.
Position to improve: Quarterback
Why it was a problem: Syracuse averaged just 5.8 yards/pass attempt in 2014 (118th nationally), had just six passing touchdowns (only run-heavy Army had fewer), and threw 17 interceptions (sixth most among Power 5 teams), while using three different starting quarterbacks along the way. Against Power 5 foes, Syracuse had four touchdown passes, 17 interceptions and a QBR of just 23.1.
How it can be fixed: This is a mess. Since Ryan Nassib and Doug Marrone departed for the NFL two years ago, Syracuse has thrown just nine touchdowns vs. Power 5 opponents compared with 34 interceptions, while averaging a woeful 5.5 yards-per-attempt. In 2014, the Orange cycled through three different starting QBs and two offensive coordinators, and no combination really seemed to show much consistent promise. Tim Lester, the QB coach-turned-coordinator will be back for 2015, and that could add some stability to the position, but the Orange still must identify a starter. Terrel Hunt ended 2013 with ample promise, but injuries and inconsistency sabotaged his 2014 campaign. Freshman A.J. Long showed flashes of potential during his stint as starter, too, but he also played miserably at times and was sidetracked by injuries as well. The Orange added JuCo QB Zack Mahoney and their top commitment for 2015, Eric Dungey, is also a QB. Finding one that can be a steadying influence on the offense would be a start in the right direction.
Early 2015 outlook: An optimist might point out that there’s really nowhere to go but up at the QB position for Syracuse, but that would miss the point that things could simply remain just as bad as they’ve been the last two years. Maybe Hunt comes back and shows improvement in 2015. He certainly appeared to have the confidence of his coaches and teammates last offseason, but there are still big questions about his accuracy and decision-making. Maybe Long learned a lot from his brief stint as starter and will be a bigger factor in 2015, but it will still be an uphill climb. Syracuse has had a strong defense and solid running game in each of the past two years, but it hasn’t been able to figure things out at quarterback. It’s priority No. 1 for the Orange, but there really don’t appear to be many easy answers.