Villanova football at a glance
A quick look at the Wildcats, who open their season tomorrow at Syracuse.
Coach: Andy Talley (204-125-1 in 29 seasons at school, 232-144-2 in 35 years overall)
Last year: 6-5 (5-3 Colonial Athletic Association)
On the web: www.Villanova.com.
Ticket info: 610- 519-4100.
Worth watching: This thing obviously revolves around quarterback John Robertson, the national freshman of the year in 2012, who's on pace to break Brian Westbrook's school rushing record. Only issue was, too many times it became too much about him. Injuries had something to do with that, but he has to get more help. Austin Medley and Kevin Monangai, who went from 1,210 yards 2 years ago to 643, could be a potent 1-2 duo behind him. Former walk-on Poppy Livers caught 53 passes. And Earnest Pettway, a big target, could finally be the tight end the Wildcats actually throw to. Defense has rarely been this program's strength, but free safety Joe Sarnese, a captain, is a 4-year starter.
Great unknowns: Can the offensive line, which has a couple of solid pieces coming back, evolve into an effective unit? Because it does mostly have to start there. Can the Wildcats avoid the rash of injuries, particularly at the skill positions, that hurt them a year ago? Can the defense find a way to get off the field more? It was a dilemma. Can Chris Gough replace steady Mark Hamilton as the field-goal kicker? And can they win some of those close games that eluded them in 2013?
It all comes down to: Can the Wildcats fulfill the preaseason promise, which for whatever reasons they weren't able to do a year ago. When you have a QB like Robertson, the upside is going to be high. But they were lacking that "it" factor in 2013. As they found out, it makes a difference.
Circle the dates: They don't play preseason CAA favorite New Hampshire, where they lost by one on a last-second two-point conversion. But they have to go to William & Mary on Oct. 18 and Richmond on Nov. 1. They probably can't lose both.
Number crunching: They averaged over 30 points a game, almost 10 more than they allowed. Yet they lost once by one, another by two and a third by three. So they were that close to being a playoff team.
Prognosis: They were ranked fifth a year ago, started 0-2, got to 4-2 with a win at No. 3 Towson and then lost their next three. Two were on the road and two were against Top 25 opponents - by a combined three points. Now they're ranked 12th. The CAA is kind of like the SEC of FCS, so nothing's a given. But this team has every reason to be thinking postseason. Maybe it learned something from what didn't happen last season. It's probably going to come down to two or three games that could go either way. The good teams figure out a way. They might need nine wins to get into the tournament field (they're playing 12 games, for the first time). Unless they upset Syracuse in tomorrow's opener, that doesn't leave much wiggle room. Yet they appear to have just enough to be up to it.