Bold Predictions Follow-Up: Syracuse and the Pinstripe Bowl
By Ken Durbin
Yesterday’s bowl debacle was certainly far off from what we had in mind for the game. Every member of the HailWV staff expected West Virginia to come out in this game and take it to Syracuse. While we all acknowledged that the weather may play a factor in the outcome of this bowl game, none of us quite expected what happened yesterday. We now face the music of our terrible predictive capabilities. None of us will be opening our own fortune telling stands anytime soon.
Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Terence Garvin (28) reacts after recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Ken Durbin’s Predictions: I will predict that the WVU defense will hold Syracuse to 300 yards of offense and force two turnovers. I expect Karl Joseph to be instrumental and contribute 10 tackles and an interception. Even with Syracuse’s “home field advantage,” I expect West Virginia to come away with a lopsided victory, 49-24.
No way to describe just how disgracefully I missed on my predictions. I thought that, given the conditions, that Syracuse would be forced to run the football and that would play into WVU’s one defensive strength. Syracuse did run the football, right down the defense’s throat. The way the Orange were able to run the football kept the Mountaineers offense sidelined, which also kept WVU from being able to get back into the game.
WVU’s defense gave up 369 yards on the ground, clearly exceeding my total defensive prediction of 300 yards. Karl Joseph did not help much with the defensive play, only coming away with 7 tackles. The star of the game on defense was Terrence Garvin with 15 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a pass break up. Great game for Garvin, but not so much for Joseph.
Syracuse exercised their home field advantage to dominate WVU, 38-14.
Brandon Miller’s Predictions: I think Geno will wow everyone in his final game in gold and blue and throw for 400 yards and 5 TDs, with Austin contributing 250 total yards and 3 TDs, Bailey goes for 175 yards and 2 TDs, and running back Andrew Buie will contribute 100 yards and a touchdown. A huge offensive performance will lead the Mountaineers over Syracuse 52 – 31.
December 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Stedman Bailey (3) runs out of a tackle by Syracuse Orange cornerback Ri
Hard to win when your last practice was in a ballroom, every long offensive play was called back on a penalty, and the team didn’t really want to play in a crappy bowl game against Syracuse in the snow anyhow. All in all, a fitting end to the season. Time to put this season behind us and prepare for the next. The defense can only get better, right?
Alan Searles’ Prediction: I am a bit concerned, but going with 54-41.
Failure to Launch.
When we look back at the 2012 season, there will be three games that we absolutely want to forget; Texas Tech, Kansas St, and now Syracuse. The script is the same for each game. The defense gave up a lot of points, but the glaring issue is that the offense never got off the ground. Costly turnovers, untimely sacks, awful penalties and a pure lack of execution marred the team in team in these games. Tough to win given those combinations..
Patrick Pishko’s Prediction: I think Alston will finish with 22 carries, 125 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
I was completely off in my prediction. Alston left the snow tires at home, gaining a mere 5 yards on 7 carries. A rough game in general for the good guys.