Just a few observations from my first live Bulls game in over 4 years (think my last one was the upset over Northern Illinois way back when):
1) Our defense rocks. I can only remember 3 times Syracuse even got past the 50 yard line. I jokingly told my wife that if Syracuse got a TD each time they crossed the halfway mark, we still would have beat them 28-21 today.
2) We really, REALLY need to diversify our offense. Yes, our running game is powerful, but if we face a team that can shut us down on the ground, I don't think 5 for 12 and 88 yards in the air is gonna cut it. Is this the OC's fault or just one of PJ's limitations?
3) Penalties are still aggravating, 4 years after I can first remember complaining about them. No biggie in a game like this, but if we're playing a team of equal strength, this will bite us in the butt.
4) Syracuse has a really nice-looking campus, very northeastern traditional with the ivy-covered brick buildings. The Dome was pretty cool since the only other dome I've been in was the Georgia Dome. Major props to the school for making the parking situation very efficient. We were on the shuttle to the parking lot, in our car, and back on the highway within 10-15 minutes after leaving the stadium.
5) I haven't seem them up close before, but good god, the Sun Dolls are smoking hot. At least I assume they are the SDs and not the cheerleaders. They were wearing black and gold uniforms. Living up north for so long, I forgot just how beautiful good ol' Florida girls could be.
That's all I've got for now. One more night in Syracuse, lots of outlet shopping tomorrow, and then the short drive back to Ottawa. I look forward to coming back in 2007.