Heading into this week's game against SMU, the Syracuse offense is going to be looking to continue their success when it comes to moving the ball.
The Orange rank 5th in the ACC in total offense against FBS opponents as they are averaging 440 yards per game (#Brand!). This trails Miami, Louisville, SMU, and Wake Forest and it's been done with ball control more than explosive plays.
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Syracuse is 2nd in the ACC in time of possession and over the last few weeks. the Orange have focused on controlling the tempo with a lot of running plays.
A few tweaks to the offensive line have paid off for Syracuse. Against UNC, Syracuse moved Joe Cruz from Center to Guard while Khalil Stewart took over the center position. Jayden Mann replace Byron Washington at the other guard spot and Skylar Harvey out-snapped starter Kam Pringle 64 to 25 in Chapel Hill.
According to PFF grades, these changes paid off in the running game. Harvey (68.2), Mann (67.4), Cruz (66.5) and Stewart (63.4) all posted run blocking grades which rank above average. The numbers might not blow you away but over the full season only Trevion Mack (65.9) is above 62.
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While the changes helped the run blocking, the pass blocking was a mixed bag. Mack (89.3), Mann (82.7) and Stewart (80.9) were excellent against UNC. Can this unit take strides with more time together this week? It's certainly something we'll be watching.
The running game has also been helped by the emergence of Ahmad Miller, who was limited early in the season. Miller's taken over the lead back role and he's forced a team-leading 24 missed tackles. Fans might be frustrated by the number of inside runs called by Jeff Nixon, but Miller's ability to gain tough yards can force defenses to keep their safeties in to support the run, and open up more one-on-one opportunites on the outside.
Tylik Hill's carries have dropped the last two weeks, but if Hill is able to get back to 100%, he brings patience and ability to bounce runs outside. Hill and Miller could form a solid duo with Ju'Juan Johnson serving as a 3rd down back. The trio did generate 137 yards after contact against UNC and they will face a tough test on Saturday against a SMU defense which is holding opponents to under 4 yards per carry.
It took a while for new OL coach Juan Castillo to get this group going, but if they can continue to improve, the Syracuse offense could find more success in the last five games.
