Syracuse will look to win its third consecutive game to begin the 2015 season when it welcomes Central Michigan to the Carrier Dome on Saturday. Here are five keys to the game, which you can listen to live on 88.3 FM WAER.
1. Stopping Cooper Rush
When Syracuse topped Central Michigan 40-3 last September, the Orange held Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush to 183 passing yards and zero touchdowns. Limiting like that again could prove to be a tall task come Saturday.
Rush is coming off a 25-of-36 performance against Monmouth in which he threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Syracuse secondary is fresh off allowing Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford to throw for 373 yards and a touchdown in last week's 30-17 SU victory over the Demon Deacons.
One way to slow down Rush would be to force turnovers, a category the Orange is tied for the lead for in all of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
2. Which Eric Dungey will show up?
In Syracuse's 30-17 win against Wake Forest last week, Orange fans were treated to two versions of Eric Dungey. The first, which was around for most of the first half, struggled to handle the Demon Deacons' blitzes and misfired on several throws. The second, which showed up late in the third quarter, looked far more poised and tossed two touchdowns to lift SU to victory.
If that first Dungey shows up Saturday, Syracuse could be on upset alert. But if the better Dungey shows up, Syracuse should be in good shape.
3. Playing without Ervin Philips
After the Wake Forest game, Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer revealed that hybrid Ervin Philips will miss three or four weeks with a lower-body injury. Philips scored two touchdowns in SU's season-opening win over Rhode Island, and at his weekly press conference Thursday, Shafer said replacing Philips' production will require a team effort. The head coach listed Brisly Estime, Steve Ishmael, Ben Lewis and Dontae Strickland as players who will need to step up in Philips' absence.
4. Will one running back emerge?
Through two games this season, Syracuse has primarily used a committee approach to its ground attack. The Orange has split carries between running backs Jordan Fredericks, George Morris and Devante McFarlane. Against Central Michigan, Syracuse will either continue with that approach, or Shafer and Tim Lester could decide to give one running back the bulk of the carries. There doesn't seem to be a clear front runner for that role, though; while McFarlane is listed atop the depth chart, it was Morris who led the team in yards per carry last week.
5. Front seven looks for continued pressure
Syracuse came away with two interceptions last week, and both were a result of pressure applied by the Orange's front seven. On a play in the middle of the first quarter, SU linebacker Marqez Hodge hit Wolford as he threw, leading to Parris Bennett's interception. Then, early in the second quarter, Wolford was hit as he threw by linebacker Zaire Franklin. The pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by defensive end Donnie Simmons.
On top of those plays, Syracuse added four sacks -- three of which came from defensive linemen Luke Arciniega and Ron Thompson. If Syracuse's front seven is that active against Central Michigan, it could spell trouble for the Chippewas.