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TagsBY MATT SUGAM
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Three and out
1. Can the defense pressure Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib into turnovers?
The veteran gunslinger is completing passes at a 71.4 percent clip. So Rutgers defense needs to get after the senior early and often to disrupt his rhythm. The pressure is also something that could lead to turnovers. The Scarlet Knights ball-hawking defense has caused 13 turnovers — five interceptions and eight fumbles — through three games. Rutgers will not only have to cause turnovers, but also capitalize on them. That’s something they did against Ohio (17 points on five turnovers), and didn’t do against UNC (12 points on six turnovers). Turnovers can take the life out of the crowd, which is a key we’ll get to in a minute.
2. Who else is going to catch the ball besides Mohamed Sanu?
The junior is one of the best wide receivers and overall athletes in the country. He leads the nation in receptions (36) to go along with 363 yards and four touchdowns, Syracuse knows they can’t shut down the 6-2, 215 pound receiver, but they have to slow him down after a Big East record 16 receptions last week against Ohio. While head coach Greg Schiano said on Thursday that they’re yet to use all their routes for Sanu, Chas Dodd is going to need others to throw to. The Knights were expected to have one of the most prolific receiving cores in the conference, but the second leading receiver — Tim Wright — only has four catches. And the two receivers who were supposed to have the biggest impact behind Sanu — Mark Harrison and Brandon Coleman — have three catches apiece with Coleman hauling in the lone touchdown. The tight ends also need to step up. In offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti’s pro-style offense, the tight end is an integral part of the offense. D.C. Jefferson and Paul Carrezola have been far from that thus far with a combined six catches and one touchdown.
3. How will the young offense handle the Carrier Dome?
The enclosed roof can cause chaos. It not only creates a deafening sound on the field, but also has different lighting. How the offense in particular handles this could be a major factor. More than half the starters haven’t played in a dome before, including Dodd. While Rutgers practice bubble gives them a taste, and they can get used to the lighting in warm-ups, nothing will prepare them for the crowd atmosphere. Rutgers will rely on the silent count, but miscommunications and false starts could loom large.
This game’s key player is…
Joe MartinekThere’s one big reason that has two aspects. Syracuse’s blitz happy defense. The fifth year senior fullback will have the responsibility of picking up a lot of those blitzes. Rutgers can also counter the extra defenders sent with swing passes to Martinek out of the backfield. The 6-0 220 pounder said this week that with less touches after switching from tailback to fullback, he’d like to capitalize on every one he gets that much more. If he can do so, it could be the difference for Rutgers.
The sophisticated fan will be watching…
The revamped right side of the offensive line. Blitzes and a raucous Carrier Dome that makes the offense rely on the silent count could make a young player antsy. Former left tackle Pedro Sosa got his first start at Syracuse in 2004. One of the top left tackles in school history began the game with three false starts. True freshman right tackle Kaleb Johnson and redshirt freshman Betim Bujari will have their hands full both blocking and keeping their cool.
Follow Matt Sugam on Twitter @MattSugam and on like him on Facebook
