2024 was not a mere season for Syracuse. It was an Orange awakening. Fran Brown, the first-year head coach, managed to turn the program around. The season ended with a 10-3 record, their first double-digit win season since 2018, three wins over ranked opponents, and a statement Holiday Bowl win over Washington State. But behind the big wins, there were still some issues.
The Orange ran like they were stuck in neutral, averaging just 97.6 rushing yards per game. And the pass defense was no better. There were quite a few penalties, too, throughout the season. Still, with Brown leading the team and QB Kyle McCord, the season was salvageable. Now comes the actual test: can they keep the momentum rolling? And who will they face this season?
List of Syracuse Opponents
- Aug. 30 Saturday
vs Tennessee (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA) - Sept. 6 Saturday
vs University of Connecticut (JMA Wireless Dome) - Sept. 12 Friday
vs Colgate University (JMA Wireless Dome) - Sept. 20 Saturday
at Clemson University (Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC) - Sept. 27 Saturday
vs Duke University (JMA Wireless Dome) - Oct. 4 Saturday
at Southern Methodist University (Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX) - Oct. 18 Saturday
vs University of Pittsburgh (JMA Wireless Dome) - Oct. 25 Saturday
at Georgia Tech (Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA) - Oct. 31 Friday
vs University of North Carolina (JMA Wireless Dome) - Nov. 8 Saturday
at the University of Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL) - Nov. 22 Saturday
at the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN) - Nov. 29 Saturday
vs Boston College (JMA Wireless Dome)
That’s a pressure-cooker-like schedule. The primary concern is that many 2024 players have left the building. Kyle McCord and his 4,779 passing yards are long gone. LeQuint Allen, tight end Oronde Gadsden II, and defensive anchors Fadil Diggs and Marlowe Wax are all gone. But a few transfers are coming in, too.
The LSU transfer with a cannon arm, Rickie Collins, will be coming in. But as he joins in, he puts on his shoulders the weight of replacing one of the best quarterbacks in ACC history. Zeed Haynes and Emanuel Ross will also be seen in Orange. Now, will they survive the 2025 schedule with this new team?
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Tennessee, Clemson, Notre Dame, Miami… the hits just keep coming. Syracuse will face four teams from last year’s College Football Playoff field. The only way through is forward. Every “winnable” game becomes do-or-die. Every home game is a must-win. But if Fran Brown proved anything last year, the Orange are no longer pushovers.
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