The Daily OrangeBeast of the east: Syracuse pass defense will be on display against high flying Cincinnati offense Saturday at the Dome
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 10/30/09, 2:11 AM EST Section: Sports
In case Art Jones needed any extra motivation for Syracuse's upcoming game against Cincinnati, it was right there staring him in the face in the newspaper Monday morning. One glance at the latest national college football poll gave Jones all the incentive he needed.
"It's not every day you get a chance to play the No. 5 team in the country," Jones said.
Not every year, either. In fact, the last time a team ranked in the top five visited the Carrier Dome, Paul Pasqualoni was the head coach for the Orangemen, Troy Nunes was the name of a starting quarterback (not a popular Syracuse sports blog), and the Bearcats were tied for the league championship - of Conference USA.
It was Nov. 30, 2002, when No. 1 Miami (Fla.) handed Syracuse a 49-7 drubbing.
This time, it's No. 5 Cincinnati (7-0, 3-0 Big East) who comes to town with hopes of an undefeated season, and a chance to play in the BCS title game. Meanwhile, Syracuse (3-4, 0-2) is looking for its second straight victory and is relishing the opportunity to square off against one of the best teams in the country.
"Talking about myself and everybody else on the defense, we can't wait," linebacker Doug Hogue said. "No. 5 team in the country, No. 1 offense in the country, it doesn't get any better than that. This is the type of game you find out how good you are. These are the kind of games where everybody ranks you."
The big question surrounding the contest throughout the week was who will be under center for the Bearcats. Starting quarterback Tony Pike missed last week's game against Louisville with an arm injury, and head coach Brian Kelly originally said that Pike will be a game-time decision. Pike vaulted his way into the Heisman Trophy conversation with his play this year, having thrown 15 touchdowns against only three interceptions before getting hurt.
But late Thursday evening, ESPN.com reported that Collaros, not Pike, would play.
Collaros has completed 25-of-35 passes for 454 yards and has run for 191 yards. At his press conference on Monday, SU head coach Doug Marrone said he was preparing schemes for both quarterbacks and their differing styles - Pike is a traditional drop-back passer, while Collaros is known more for his legs. Marrone said Cincinnati has a number of designed running plays exclusively for Collaros.
"It's not every day you get a chance to play the No. 5 team in the country," Jones said.
Not every year, either. In fact, the last time a team ranked in the top five visited the Carrier Dome, Paul Pasqualoni was the head coach for the Orangemen, Troy Nunes was the name of a starting quarterback (not a popular Syracuse sports blog), and the Bearcats were tied for the league championship - of Conference USA.
It was Nov. 30, 2002, when No. 1 Miami (Fla.) handed Syracuse a 49-7 drubbing.
This time, it's No. 5 Cincinnati (7-0, 3-0 Big East) who comes to town with hopes of an undefeated season, and a chance to play in the BCS title game. Meanwhile, Syracuse (3-4, 0-2) is looking for its second straight victory and is relishing the opportunity to square off against one of the best teams in the country.
"Talking about myself and everybody else on the defense, we can't wait," linebacker Doug Hogue said. "No. 5 team in the country, No. 1 offense in the country, it doesn't get any better than that. This is the type of game you find out how good you are. These are the kind of games where everybody ranks you."
The big question surrounding the contest throughout the week was who will be under center for the Bearcats. Starting quarterback Tony Pike missed last week's game against Louisville with an arm injury, and head coach Brian Kelly originally said that Pike will be a game-time decision. Pike vaulted his way into the Heisman Trophy conversation with his play this year, having thrown 15 touchdowns against only three interceptions before getting hurt.
But late Thursday evening, ESPN.com reported that Collaros, not Pike, would play.
Collaros has completed 25-of-35 passes for 454 yards and has run for 191 yards. At his press conference on Monday, SU head coach Doug Marrone said he was preparing schemes for both quarterbacks and their differing styles - Pike is a traditional drop-back passer, while Collaros is known more for his legs. Marrone said Cincinnati has a number of designed running plays exclusively for Collaros.
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