By Brandon Matthews

42-28.

Hearts sank, desperation spread rampant, and Greg Robinson began mass producing fresh resumes.  Syracuse had done the unthinkable – lost to Akron.

After shutting down Akron 28-14 in the Carrier Dome last season, Syracuse takes on the Zips in somewhat of a tiebreaker Saturday.  This is not the same Akron team.  Here’s what to look out for at InfoCision Stadium.

Scheme Change:
With new head coach Rob Ianello, this will be a completely different Akron squad.  The Assistant Head Coach for Offense at Notre Dame last year, Ianello has switched the offense from a spread to a pro-style.  This should mean a heavier dose of the running game on Saturday.  With the QB taking snaps under center for the first time, most likely some kinks in the passing game that will give the Syracuse rush time to get to the quarterback.  

Defensively, the scheme has also switched.  The Zips are moving from a 3-3-5 to a 4-3.  That mean one extra defensive lineman and one less defensive back.  Against Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey, and the Syracuse rush…that’s probably a good idea.  Look for the Orange to attack the middle of the field and test the safety’s new roles.

Nicely Settled in QB Position:
When the Orange took down the Zips last season, Akron was on its third QB of the season.  After opening day starter Chris Jacquemain was suspended and backup Matt Rodgers went down with an ACL injury, Freshman Patrick Nicely took over.  Syracuse was his second game.  Other than the fact he had no protection (sacked five times), no running support (24 carries – 0 yards), Nicely performed pretty well (16-25, 191 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs).  In the five games following the loss to Syracuse, Nicely led his team to two victories.  When your squad has three wins all season, that’s not too bad.  Nicely will have a more formidable line in front of him, but don’t expect him to have much success against this Syracuse D.  The transition to the Pro-style offense combined with the loss of four of his top five receiving targets should land Nicely on his back early and often.

Active Akron D could test Cuse:
What the Zips lost on offense, they maintained and improved on with the D.  Akron returns 11 of its top 14 tacklers on Defense, including Senior MLB Brian Wagner who pulled down an incredible 132 tackles.  Creating space for Wagner is former Virginia signee Senior DT Almondo Sewell, he should provide a great battle for Ryan Bartholomew to start the season.  This front seven experience combined with the switch to the 4-3 should increase the Zips chances of slowing down Delone Carter and friends.  However the Cuse might get a spark through the air.  Akron has one returning starters in their secondary (CB Manley Waller Jr.) but are dreadfully inexperienced.  Akron has only sacked the QB a total of 11 times each of the last two seasons.  They’ll need to get after Nassib if they want to keep it close on Saturday.