Going into the 2015 season, those outside the program seemed to be worried about how the Syracuse Orange would effectively replace its defense without experiencing a drop-off. We, trying to be optimistic, saw Chuck Bullough's system and last year's host of injuries as reasons why the SU defense would be just fine.
Yesterday's shellacking at the hands of the South Florida Bulls may seem like the first game where the defense was clearly outplayed. But that narrative -- despite what FBS rankings, etc. said -- is incorrect. Syracuse's defense has been lit up repeatedly this year.