Syracuse, N.Y. -- In his first season as SU's starting quarterback last year, Tommy DeVito threw only five interceptions, an impressively low number. But, his team also only won five games, falling far short of expectations.

Heading into his junior season, DeVito is focused on bringing that second number up, the team's win total. He also says if that first number also goes up, the interception total, well, that's just one of the potential hazards of SU's risk-reward offense.

"Interceptions are not a thing," DeVito said. "Obviously, you want to take care of the ball, but a part of this offense is driving a fast car, and pushing it to the limits. So, we're just getting the ball in our playmakers' hands and letting them work."

DeVito claimed in another Zoom press conference recently that the slogan for the Orange offense is, 'Make the Tires Sing', a racing term that refers to the sound tires make when a car is being driven at high speeds. New offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert is apparently pedal-to-the-medal both in terms of philosophy and personality, and that combination won DeVito over quickly.

"He's a very, very energetic dude," he said of the 42-year old Gilbert who was named FCS coordinator of the year while working under Dino Babers at Eastern Illinois. "I could tell in his voice over the phone that he was excited and amped up, so, that just got me riled up. When we finally met in person, we just hit it off the right way."

Tommy says he 'put a couple pounds on' during the off-season to help his body better absorb hits delivered by ACC defenders. He's also devoted a lot of time in the film room, looking to improve the mental part of his game.

"Just going further and beyond, more about defenses, more about how I can attack defenses in certain ways instead of just using my arm. Just trusting my receivers more, and everybody else around me."

And that group will be missing some key components with veteran running backs Abdul Adams and Jarveon Howard opting out, and with former fullback Chris Elmore starting on the offensive line. Partly because of those absences, outside expectations for SU's opening game, not to mention the entire 2020 season, are as low as they've been in the Babers era. The fact Syracuse is a three-touchdown underdog against North Carolina this weekend sounds like another number DeVito is using as motivation.

"Nobody really knows what's going on, it's been a wild year to say the least," he said. "Some people are playing, and not playing. You don't really know how everything's going to play out, so people just make some assumptions based on that. It's a little comical, but, I'm looking forward to this weekend. It's going to be fun."