A SB Nation analysis says red-zone scoring, turnovers and penalties could help Syracuse improve in its next nine games. In losses to Cal and Pitt, the 1-2 Orange scored 24 points on nine red-zone trips, had a minus-4 turnover margin and committed 24 penalties.
Those nine red-zone trips produced two touchdowns and four field goals, out of a possible 54 points. The article says possible lineup additions Amari Odom and Calvin Russell could boost the offense, and Shay Barker could take over kicking after Tripp Woody's misses against Cal, which the writer says proved decisive in that loss.
Syracuse allowed eight third-down conversions on 22 attempts in the two losses; three of Pitt's five conversions came on Orange penalties. Syracuse committed 24 penalties, while Cal and Pitt combined for 17. The writer says penalties also erased big returns worth 10 points against Cal.
