The Daily OrangeDUNNE: Big Ten gauntlet exactly what Syracuse needed
By Tyler Dunne
Posted: 9/22/09, 12:02 AM EST Section: Sports
Players high-stepped in all directions. They leaped on top of each other. They formed mosh pits of elation. They thumped their chests, and screamed their frustrations away.
For the second time in three weeks, Mardi Gras raided the Carrier Dome. Only this time, Syracuse tidal-waved the field. It was an aesthetic scene you won't see in other Big East cities. Unless third-stringers and kneel-downs turn you on.
"Everybody else in the conference is playing cupcake teams," SU senior defensive tackle Arthur Jones said last week. "They get their wins or whatever, but we're Syracuse. We don't do it like that."
Amen, Art. While other Big East teams lollygag through Division I-AA daisies - raise your hand if you've ever heard of Southeast Missouri State - Syracuse has sloshed through Big Ten schools for three weeks. The culmination (and validation) was Saturday's 37-34 thrilling win over Northwestern.
This gauntlet of games could have backfired, could have severely stunted the Doug Marrone-era. Instead, it has given Syracuse a Mayweather-sized swagger heading into Big East play. That's right. A team that was 3-9 in 2008 has a reason to be cocky, a reason to look at everybody else in the conference and laugh.
For the past four years, it has been the other way around.
It would have made perfect sense to cushion a hurting program with elementary competition - some esteem-boosting gimmies to renew hope every September. For many schools in the Big East, that's the drill.
Welcoming punching bags to the Dome in early September would have given the team false hope, and the public, an airless campaign promise. Three Big Ten powers would bring the truth out. For better or worse. Survey says: for better.
One frustrating loss to Minnesota, one champagne-popping win over Northwestern, and one trip to the No. 5 team in the country sandwiched in between, have given Syracuse a unique crash course. The past three weeks have been stuffed with adversity.
For the second time in three weeks, Mardi Gras raided the Carrier Dome. Only this time, Syracuse tidal-waved the field. It was an aesthetic scene you won't see in other Big East cities. Unless third-stringers and kneel-downs turn you on.
"Everybody else in the conference is playing cupcake teams," SU senior defensive tackle Arthur Jones said last week. "They get their wins or whatever, but we're Syracuse. We don't do it like that."
Amen, Art. While other Big East teams lollygag through Division I-AA daisies - raise your hand if you've ever heard of Southeast Missouri State - Syracuse has sloshed through Big Ten schools for three weeks. The culmination (and validation) was Saturday's 37-34 thrilling win over Northwestern.
This gauntlet of games could have backfired, could have severely stunted the Doug Marrone-era. Instead, it has given Syracuse a Mayweather-sized swagger heading into Big East play. That's right. A team that was 3-9 in 2008 has a reason to be cocky, a reason to look at everybody else in the conference and laugh.
For the past four years, it has been the other way around.
It would have made perfect sense to cushion a hurting program with elementary competition - some esteem-boosting gimmies to renew hope every September. For many schools in the Big East, that's the drill.
Welcoming punching bags to the Dome in early September would have given the team false hope, and the public, an airless campaign promise. Three Big Ten powers would bring the truth out. For better or worse. Survey says: for better.
One frustrating loss to Minnesota, one champagne-popping win over Northwestern, and one trip to the No. 5 team in the country sandwiched in between, have given Syracuse a unique crash course. The past three weeks have been stuffed with adversity.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Randy
posted 9/22/09 @ 12:34 PM EST
Well written statements of fact instead of the character assasinations we get about the basketball scheduling. Double edged sword as tough scheduling hurt SU 7-8 years ago when we had the same win-loss record as other Big East teams (that we had beaten) and they went bowling and we did not. (Continued…)
wediggs24
William
posted 9/22/09 @ 6:24 PM EST
Nicely stated article. This SU team is already further along than many believe BECAUSE of the scheduling. Remember: no big victories without big goals. (Continued…)
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