By William Qualkinbush.

Syracuse coach Scott Shafer’s feelings about Clemson might be a tad less severe than his televised reaction to Dabo Swinney’s decision to go for a second-quarter touchdown last season in the Carrier Dome. Nevertheless, much of the nation might have missed his apology and assumes there is a legitimate rivalry brewing here.

Someone forgot to tell the Tigers, who showed mercy in a 49-14 road win last season that was more easily earned than the final score indicated. In fact, the Orange were simply outclassed in every way by Swinney’s bunch after they spent the week boasting about the inherent advantages they possessed—advantages everyone in attendance quickly discovered existed only in the mind.

Quarterback Terrel Hunt was a virtual nonfactor against Clemson after some early success. He returns to lead Shafer’s offense again with a year’s worth of experience under his belt. Hunt threw for more than 1,600 yards last season and ran for exactly 500 yards, more than any other returner on the roster. He scored 17 combined touchdowns as he grew into the role.

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Hunt’s learning curve was full of ups and downs in 2013, but he learned some valuable lessons along the way. He went six games without throwing a single touchdown pass in the middle of the year, but in season-ending wins against Boston College and Minnesota, he had arguably his two best passing games. In those wins, he combined to rush for 164 yards and three scores, as well. If the momentum can carry over, Hunt might be one of the top signal-callers in a class of ACC quarterbacks populated primarily by newbies.

The Tigers were carved up by Syracuse’s two-back running game last season, and a lot of talent returns from that unit. Top rusher Jerome Smith declared for the NFL Draft, but rising senior Prince-Tyson Gulley and sophomores Devante McFarlane and George Morris II will be back to give Hunt the help he needs. The running game will be bolstered by an offensive line that returns four starters from the big-bodied group that held its own for much of last season.

Hunt will be throwing to a rather young group of receivers in 2014. The most likely candidate to be the go-to guy is Ashton Broyld, who had 52 catches for 452 yards last season. Senior Jerrod West averaged more than 15 yards per reception last year, so he might be a potential deep threat for Syracuse that could allow the Orange to stretch the field.

Defensively, Syracuse returns seven starters from a group that proved capable of everything and nothing last season. In one four-game stretch, the Orange allowed 56 points to Georgia Tech, shut out conference foe Wake Forest, gave up a measly field goal to Maryland, and allowed 59 points to Florida State. Clearly, the group suffered from rampant inconsistency.

Three out of four starters are coming back on the defensive line, but the group will definitely miss the leadership and occasional dominance displayed by tackle Jay Bromley last season. Seniors Robert Welsh and Eric Crume will attempt to disrupt opposing quarterbacks with a solid pass rush from the ends.

The main point of disruption, however, will be on the second level with the linebackers. Outside backers Dyshawn Davis and Cameron Lynch combined for 117 tackles last season and should be capable of more this year, although they will miss the solid and steady Marquis Bruill in the middle.

The leading returner in tackles is safety Durell Eskridge, perhaps an indictment of the defense’s propensity to give up chunk plays. Eskridge totaled 78 tackles and a team-best four interceptions last season. The rest of the secondary must improve its ball skills after a year in which it registered only 45 passes defended, which combined PBUs and interceptions.

Special teams is a bit of a wild card for the Orange. Senior Ross Krautman, the presumed starter last season, attempted only two field goals before being sidelined due to injury. His return would be a big boost to the team. Punter Riley Dixon averaged over 42 yards per punt last season as one of the nation’s best creators of field position.

Revenge will not come easily for Syracuse in a late-October showdown in Death Valley. There are still some deficiencies that exist, but a returner at quarterback and a better understanding of the challenge they will face might provide a stiffer challenge for the Tigers than they faced a season ago.