As the color analyst for ESPN’s noon telecasts throughout the 2010 NCAA football season, Brian Griese was in the booth for what was arguably Syracuse’s most impressive win of the year — a 19-14 victory over West Virginia on Oct. 23. On Thursday, he will be back in the booth for SU’s most important game of the year — the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Kansas State, which will air on ESPN at 3:20 p.m. Thursday.

The Daily Orange caught up with Griese Monday to discuss his thoughts on the game. In this installment, Griese talks about what has held back the Syracuse offense lately, SU defensive coordinator Scott Shafer’s top-five defense and what Syracuse has to do to win the game.

The Daily Orange: You mentioned depth as one of the weaknesses in the Syracuse offense. What are some of the other weaknesses that is keeping it ‘pedestrian,’ as you said?

B.G.: Well, you got a first-year quarterback (in Ryan Nassib). This is his first year playing. I think he has the tools to be a good quarterback. He’ll be back next year, and that’ll be a big plus.

And then you’ve got some youth up front. You’ve got four starters up front that are starting for the first time this year. As good as (Ryan) Bartholomew is at the center position, he can only do so much. I think they came in with the mindset that they wanted to run the football. Their best player was their halfback. And I think that was the right way to approach it: pound the ball, and then play-action off it. And then throw in some West Coast, short passing game to try to move the sticks. Van Chew, I think, has come through for them as a player for the future. And Alec Lemon, the same thing.

But the guy that really is a wild card for me and that really needs to have a big game on Thursday is (Antwon) Bailey. He’s a talented kid, and he’s very versatile. I would match him up on coverage on some of these linebackers from Kansas State. On third down, coming out of the backfield, give him the football and let him do his thing.

But Syracuse has to score some points. Because Kansas State, while they haven’t been an explosive offense, they have been able to score points. I think that Syracuse is going to have to score at least 21 or 24 points to win this game.

Scott Shafer’s defense has been among the nation’s best this year. But the one thing that has been holding it back in the past few games is its run defense. Louisville and Boston College’s ‘replacement’ running backs ran all over the Syracuse defense. How does that get fixed against a premier running back in Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas?

B.G.: Well, you have to look at football as very complementary. When you have an offense that can’t move the ball, can’t score, you have a defense on the field for a long time. I don’t care how good you are on defense. If you’re out there for 35 minutes in a game, you’re going to get worn down. They haven’t gotten any support from this offense. I mean, they only gave up 16 points to Boston College and lost. That shouldn’t happen.

They have to play better complementary football on offense, defense and special teams and help each other out. If you get this defense with fresh legs and give Scott Shafer an opportunity to orchestrate some zone blitzes to stop the run — which I think they will in this game, because I don’t think that this Kansas State quarterback (Carson) Coffman scares them at all — they’re going to key on the run game and bring run pressures to stop that run game. Force Kansas State to throw the ball.

What are some things that Syracuse has to do to come out on top in this game?

B.G.: Like I said, I think they have to stop the run. Daniel Thomas is the best player on the field. They have to be able to key on him, stop him, tackle him and get him down.

And then on offense, they have to let it breathe and open it up a little bit. Incorporate the tight ends. I think (Jose) Cruz and (Nick) Provo are good tight ends. They need to get them the football off play-action, and then throw the ball deep to Van Chew. Let him go up and get the ball and make some plays. I think they’ll probably take two or three shots in each half down the field, whether it’s a halfback pass or play-action. If they can hit those and get up in this game — if at halftime, they’re up 14-3 or something like that — then this defense can really take over, and I think they’ll be in good shape.

bplogiur@syr.edu

Published on December 28, 2010 at 12:00 pm