Syracuse Orangemen
2001 record: 10-3 (6-1)
Coach: Paul Pasqualoni (12th season, 91-39-1)
Starters returning: 2 offense, 6 defense, 2 kicker

Outlook: Paul Pasqualoni was drifting toward the unemployment line before the Orangemen awakened from the dead to win 10 of their final 11 games last season.

The comeback may have bought Pasqualoni some love from his detractors, and the 52-year-old coach may need it. Syracuse lost nine starters on offense and Dwight Freeney on defense, making a 16th consecutive winning season a formidable challenge.

	Around The Big East
	Boston College Eagles
	Miami Hurricanes
	Pittsburgh Panthers
	Rutgers Scarlet Knights
	Syracuse Orangemen
	Temple Owls
	Virginia Tech Hokies
	West Virginia Mountaineers

Offensive success will rest on the shoulders of quarterback R.J. Anderson, who is 11-2 as a starter. The rebuilt offensive line is a major worry as is the tailback position. Receiver Johnnie Morant is a potential star who caught two passes for 93 yards and a score in the Insight.com Bowl.

The defense is in better shape, although a huge hole looms at Freeney's old defensive end spot. Middle linebacker Clifton Smith is one of the Big East's best defensive players, but he could be the lone senior among the front seven.

Key game: All that stands between Syracuse and a 4-0 conference start is the Big East opener against Pittsburgh on Oct. 5 in the Carrier Dome. After that, the Orangemen play Temple, West Virginia and Rutgers. Syracuse could find itself atop the league race before closing the season at home against Virginia Tech and Miami, sandwiched around a visit to Boston College.

Keep an eye on: Right defensive end. That's the spot vacated by Freeney, who set the NCAA single-season record with 17.5 sacks. The potential heirs to the position are sophomore Julian Pollard and freshmen Ryan LaCasse and James Wyche. They'll be learning on the job.

It's a good year if...: Syracuse finishes with a winning record. The Orangemen have done just that for 15 consecutive seasons, a total surpassed by only Florida State, Michigan and Nebraska. With a mostly-revamped roster, posting another winning record could take some doing.

Jorge Milian covers the Big East for the Palm Beach Post.