Look! A talking Orange

This week, Syracuse blogger Brian from Orange::44 was kind enough to send over his thoughts on the game. Brian and the Syracuse faithful--trust me, they need all the faith they can get right now--are just as excited as we Penn State fans. So here you go, Brian's word.

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1. So things are still bad for Syracuse. How much will Penn State win by on Saturday?

O44: Not gonna lie, I think SU will lose by at least 30 points. My person prediction was 34 points, to which I have a drink riding. So you know it is a serious bet. Either way, #17 Penn State, save some EPIC college football collapse where they forget nearly every fundamental and act like a bunch of high schoolers, should win pretty handily, and score early and often. I wish I could say this game will be closer and I wish I could say Syracuse will not go quietly into that good night. Alas, it was just not meant to be this year.

2. Are you still excited for this rivalry game, even though it might not be close?

O44: Absolutely. While this may not be the best year to renew such rivalry, clearly the entire idea is a good one. Any time you can mix in a team you used to play on a regular basis that you have not in a while is a good idea. Especially when that team is good as it ads credibility to your non-conference schedule. Plus, Penn State is a big time, well established franchise. At the very least, even if it is not a good game it will be fun to see them in action. The entire reason I love college football is the atmosphere and clearly both the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, and Beaver Stadium in State College, will be rocking on game days. That will be amazing to see.

3. What Syracuse player will have the biggest impact on the game and why?

O44: At this point, after having the benefit of seeing two games already, it has to be RB Curtis Brinkley. He has bounced back magnificently from a season ending injury last year, to really tear it up on the ground. He earned 143 yards and a touchdown last week, so at least the running game and offensive line of Syracuse have improved leaps and bounds from last season. Look for them to go to Brinkley, and also RB Delone Carter on a fairly consistent basis to try to establish the running game on Penn State. Whether it works or not remains to be seen.

4. What Penn State player are you worried about for Syracuse?

O44: While Syracuse did a fairly competent job against the running game of Akron last week in the Carrier Dome, RB Evan Royster scars the crap out of me. Considering that this year, in only two games, he has 205 yards and six touchdowns. While the yardage is not that impressive, the six touchdowns certainly are. After all, anytime you find the end zone is impressive, but to do it three times in the first two games of the season, you know he has a nose for breaking the plane. Penn State will probably most use this to their advantage however by either using play action, or simply picking apart the defense on passes. This should be know problem for the Penn State offense to do.

5. Overall thoughts on the game, and some initial thoughts on the game next year?

O44: Again, although this is not the optimal year to restart this epic college football rivalry, it will still be fun. I myself will be in the Carrier Dome this weekend so I look forward to a good college football game, win or lose for Syracuse. If we win, it will clearly be the highlight of an overall low season, but if we lose, it will just further the cause of removing Greg Robinson as the head football coach at Syracuse. Either way, Syracuse fans will win on Saturday.

As for next year, while I am pretty sure the outcome of the game is not in question, I would love to see a game in State College. With the "white out" possibly in effect and thousands of football fans there cheering on their team, that is what big time college football is all about, and I would love to see it in person.

Thanks Brian! To see my answers to the same questions, check it out here.