(AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli)

The title quote from Coach Doug Marrone told the story in the opener versus Minnesota.

It was clear that this edition of the Orange would be far removed from its predecessor.  Until the first snap of the ball, then it felt like deju vu all over again.  Within 10 seconds of game play it was 7-0.  Months of waiting for that?  It was disgusting.

But alas, it was different.  The Cuse regrouped, and I think we can give the credit to that to the staff.  They got together.  Mike Jones had a strong kick return and the offense went to work.

There was the stallion package, which was very effective.  There was Alec Lemon, looking every bit as physical as advertised.  Nick Provo looked great too, until he went down injured.  And then there was Greg Paulus.

I’ll spare the in-depth analyis of Greg because he will get picked apart more than a Thanksgiving turkey.  I will say that he played about as well as expected, all things considered.  Lemon saved him from one hideous pick and of course the last throw should have been tossed into the first row.   His receivers did him no favors either.

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Week One is almost upon us.  Everyone has a clean slate.  Finally months of speculation can be replaced with tangible proof on the gridiron.  I’m going to try and fill this space every week with some predictions on how the Big East teams will fair.  No fancy simulators involved, no NCAA ’10 as fallback,  just pure predicting prowess from what will most assuredly look foolish once the week is over.   All odds listed will be the line from the day of the write-up here.  Should be a pretty straight forward few weeks in the conference as most teams will be feasting on FCS or lightweight FBS schools.  Let’s have some fun with this, here we go!

Last week: N/A        Overall: 0-0

Saturday, Sept. 5

Minnesota at Syracuse (ESPN2, Noon): Line -  Minn -6.5;O/U 47.  Obviously a game of intense local interest.  I won’t divulge my pick until the preview tomorrow – sorry about that!  Stay tune for the indepth preview.

Connecticut at Ohio: Line – UConn -3.5;O/U  47.  The Huskies hit the road for the opener, in a rare BCS team traveling to  a non BCS opponent.  First chance to see how the new no huddle operates.  I say they limit their overall packages based on this opponent.   The spread is surprisingly close for a 4-8 MAC foe.  Take the Huskies 31-17.

Youngstown State at Pittsburgh: Line – none available.  Should be an easier opener for the Panthers than the Bowling Green debacle last year.   All eyes will be on Bill Stull who Wanny didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement at QB.  Take the Panthers 38-10.

Liberty at West Virginia: Line – none available.  Again another tepid opening game opponent.  WV runs the 2nd unit liberally in the second half.  Mountaineers roll 48-14.

Wofford at South Florida: Line – none available.  Wofford is actually a winning program of sorts in the FCS, expected to be fodder to USF.  Bulls big 56-17.

Indiana State (0-1) at Louisville: Line – none available.  Boy UofL really reached for this opener.  ISU couldn’t even subdue an NAIA opponent in their opener last week.  The Cards will look like world beaters in this one.  Cardinals 70-3.

Monday, Sept. 7

Cincinnati at Rutgers (ESPN, 4 p.m.): Line – Rutgers -5.5;O/U 48.5.  Marquee game of the week.  We get a good idea right off the bat how the Big East race will shape up.  Brian Kelly has been down playing the offense of Cincinnati and boosting the prospects of the defense.  Greg Schiano has refused to name the starting qb, although he has named the starter.  Should be a packed house in the expanded Piscataway arena.  I think the game will come down to who can play mistake free.  I am going with Bearcats based on the inevitable pressure that either Natale or Savage will face at QB.  Bearcats 24-17.

The season is almost here and you can feel the excitement building among fans.  Kool-aid has been prepared and guzzled by all fans from programs across the nation.  And why not?  Every team is undefeated.  Hope and promise are in the air.  Well, except at Michigan, but we digress.

Coach Marrone has announced the depth chart.  I am getting fired up for the season.  Pre game spreads are being prepared, schedules cleared, plans made.  It is time for football!  In order to soothe my interests, I thought it would be neat to take a shot at predicting who will perform in the coming weeks on the football field.

1. Offensive player of the year – Delone Carter. Who am I to question the biceps of DC3?  He looks to be in great shape, he pushed himself past Antwon Bailey to the top of the depth chart at “super” back.  He is another season removed from a devastating hip injury and has been running with a purpose.  I think he will thrive in the “multiple” offense utilized by Coach Spence.  I would not be surprised to see him exceed 1,000 yards this season.  Other possible candidates:  Greg Paulus and Mike Williams.

2. Defensive player of the year – Mike Holmes.  Tough call on this one, as we have potential AA Art Jones and Derrell Smith as viable candidates.  I felt that with the excitement the players spout at Coach Shafer’s schemes and HCDM saying “I am just always shocked about how good of a player Mike Holmes is. I’m looking forward to great things out of him.”  I expect Mike to be a big playmaker in this defense.

3.  Newcomer of the year – Greg Paulus. The keys to the Orange offense have been given to the 5th year grad student.  The announcement has drawn national attention.  From the rave reviews of DM, I expect that Greg will be more than just serviceable.  I also expect that he will be one of a number of players that will get better with each game.  Other options:  Nick Speller, Alec Lemon, Philip Thomas

4.  Comeback player of the year – Mike Williams.  Seems like a no brainer pick here.  Williams returns after a season lost due to ineligibility.  All signs point to Mike putting his previous issues in the past and he has found a renewed sense of passion for the university.  Expect big things from Mike.  Other options:  Jared Kimmel, Doug Hogue (position change)

5.  Breakthrough player offense – Marcus Sales. Sales had a productive first season, catching 14 passes for 160 yards and one score.  Coach Spence’s multiple offense should give sales even more opportunity to catch balls in space.  Other candidates:  Antwon Bailey Mike Owens, Donte Davis.

6.  Breakthrough player defense – Derrell Smith.  Smith should find a nice home roving the middle of the SU defense.  Smith performed well in his first season starting on the outside.  His speed and nose for the ball make him a perfect fit to man the Mike spot.  Others considered:  Chandler Jones, Mikhail Marinovich, Doug Hogue

7.  Fab Frosh – Alec Lemon.  Lemon has been turning heads all during camp.  He has been more physical than first advertised.  The kid caught over 100 balls last season in high school.  If he can attract some attention in the secondary, it will give just that much more space to Mike Williams.  Other potential candidates:  Philip Thomas, Shamarko Thomas, Ryan Lichtenstein, Earl Carter.

8.  Super Soph – Antwon Bailey. Bailey had his coming out party of sorts on national TV last year at Notre Dame.  Now along side Delone Carter, Bailey should see plently of carries and has a chance to catch passes out of the backfield in Spence’s new offense.  I would not be surprised to see Bailey rush for over 500 yards and run for 5 or more scores.

9.  Top Junior – Rob Long. A whole slew of good choices here.  Long has been nothing short of outstanding in his first two seasons in Orange.  Long is mentioned by many to be the top punter in the Big East.  He will be a valuable weapon in establishing field position this season.  Others in the mix:  Doug Hogue, Max Suter, Derrell Smith, Jim McKenzie.

10. Sensational Senior – Art Jones. No one has meant more for this program over this span than Art Jones.  When he isn’t double teamed he wreaks havoc in opposing backfields.    I almost considered him as a comeback player possibility as he has recovered well from the torn chest muscle suffered during spring conditioning.  If Jones can compete at his top level, he is likely a first day draft choice in the NFL next season.  Other choices Michael Owens, Andrew Robinson.