Behind Enemy Lines: Q&A with Syracuse Football Writer
Mike McAllister, the publisher of All Syracuse, a fellow Fan Nation site on the Sports Illustrated network, answered our questions in preparation for Saturday's game between Wake Forest and the orange. All Syracuse's website can be found here. McAllister and the site can be followed on Twitter @McAllisterMike1 and @SyracuseOnFN. Read McAllister's answers below:
What is the fan perception of Dino Babers as he wraps up his seventh year as the head coach of Syracuse?
There is still a split within the fan base. Some view him as a good coach who represents Syracuse well and is responsible for two of the three bowl games in the last decade. Others have wanted him gone for a few years, and nothing has changed their mind on that. I'm not sure anything will. That said, there is no question he has the support of the administration within the Athletic Department. I think his job is safe.
READ: Series History - Wake Forest Football vs Syracuse
Do you expect Sean Tucker to see more touches against Wake Forest after not seeing much involvement over the past four games?
To be honest, I have kind of been expecting that going into each game for the last four or five weeks. So I will say yes, but ultimately who knows. I think Tucker has been underutilized this season, especially with Garrett Shrader clearly not healthy. The Orange must utilize the run game to be competitive against Wake Forest. Tucker had a huge game against the Demon Deacons last season. Syracuse needs to replicate that to pull off a road upset.
Do you believe this Syracuse team is still motivated after suffering four consecutive losses?
Sports are funny. When everyone thinks they know how things are going, the opposite happens. So while there will be plenty that will say Syracuse is on a downward spiral, lack motivation and will sputter to the finish with two straight losses, it should surprise no one if they put together two strong performances to cap the 2022 campaign. Momentum is real, but all it takes is getting a couple of bounces to go your way to turn everything around. I still think there are good players on this team and I still think they are motivated to win. They have to prove it, obviously, because last week did not look like that.
How do you think Syracuse will game plan for the Wake Forest defense after seeing Drake Maye have great success through the air?
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I do think Syracuse will try to replicate some of that passing success, but let's face it, the Orange do not have a QB close to the caliber of Drake Maye right now. I think Syracuse needs to have success on the ground to do well in this game. That starts with Sean Tucker, but should also include whichever quarterback gets the nod. A balanced offensive attack where the run and pass complement each other is Syracuse's best approach.
Who is Syracuse’s best defensive player?
Prior to his injury, I would have said Garrett Williams. That said, Mikel Jones would have an argument even with a healthy Williams. Without Williams, Jones is clearly the guy. He is the leader of the defense, the quarterback of the defense and has great instincts from the linebacker position. He will be playing on Sundays. Syracuse will use him in a lot of ways. He will drop into coverage, read and react against the run and blitz to pressure the quarterback.
Is this season still considered a success among the fanbase, considering Cuse is having its best season since 2018?
If you had said prior to the season Syracuse would be 6-4 going into the final two games, everyone would have said it's an enormous success. The problem is Syracuse won its first six games and expectations rose significantly. Now the four-straight losses are viewed, rightly so, as a disappointment. So Syracuse fans are kind of in this weird place where 6-4 is good on the one hand, but disappointing on the other. Ultimately, I think the season will be judged on how the rest of it goes. If Syracuse splits its final two and wins a bowl game to get to 8-5, it is viewed positively. If Syracuse loses its two regular season games and the bowl game to finish 6-7, it will be viewed negatively.
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Score Prediction?
I am going to take Wake in this one, but I think it will be a competitive game. These two have played in some entertaining games over the last several years. Both come in on a losing streak not playing its best football, but I give Wake the edge because they are at home. I will take the Demon Deacons 31-20.
Essex is the lead football writer and a managing editor for Deacons Daily. Essex served as the Sports Editor for the Old Gold & Black for two years, in addition to roles as a beat and feature writer.