Big East Preview: Wk 10

Powell will likely miss the game Saturday.

Louisville at Syracuse, Saturday, noon EST

Syracuse coach Doug Marrone said this week that even though his team is 6–2 it really hasn’t accomplished anything this season. That, of course, isn’t exactly correct. The Orange is the surprise team of the Big East, sitting at 3–1 in conference play and in second place, behind only 3–0 leader Pittsburgh. The SU faithful are alive again and should provide a nice crowd for this game in the Carrier Dome.

Offensively, the Orange will rely on back Delone Carter, the nation’s No. 29 rusher, averaging 93.25 yards per game. More than likely, though, Marrone will again lean on his stingy defense, which ranks 13th nationally in total defense and 14th in scoring. There are injury concerns, however, after last week’s 31–7 win over Cincinnati. Right tackle Michael Hay was seen wearing a boot on his left foot this week.

Louisville, meanwhile, enters this at 4–4 after a 20–3 loss to Pitt. The Cardinals will try to snap an 11-game road losing streak without Bilal Powell, who probably will miss this game with a knee injury. Quarterback Adam Froman is also trying to recover from a thigh bruise. The good news for the Cards is that back Victor Anderson is recovered from a shoulder injury and should play. The U of L is second in the Big East in total offense and fourth in total defense.