Earlier this offseason, I suggested that I believe making a bowl game is a reasonable expectation for the Syracuse football program. In order to be bowl-eligible, a team usually needs to go 6-6 or better, but I've also indicated that I think SU can get above .500.

Why do I feel that way? Well, because with a healthy Steve Angeli at quarterback, I think things inherently have to improve in a big way from last season's 3-9 record.

See, the Orange were 3-1 last season when Angeli was healthy and then lost eight consecutive games after he got hurt for the season. I believe, with him healthy, the Orange are a different roster. The other thing I'm encouraged by? The depth of the quarterback room.

Part of the reason why Syracuse lost those eight games to end 2025 is that they weren't prepared to play in Angeli's absence. Well, this year, they appear to be. Amari Odom, previously of Kennesaw State, Malachi Nelson, previously of USC/Boise State/UTEP and Danny Lauter, previously of Georgetown, are all capable backups who have entered the program via the transfer portal.

All three have significant playing experience and should be able to step in should Angeli get hurt in 2026.

However, me, and anyone else with optimism about this group, were given a harsh dose of reality on Tuesday. The Orange were picked to finish 14th in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) media poll. SU was predicted to finish ahead of only North Carolina, Boston College and Stanford.

Only UNC and BC are on the SU schedule this year, meaning the media expects the Orange to only have two victories inside the conference. That would be a major disappointment for head coach Fran Brown.

So why are people so down on the Orange? Well, there are certainly questions in the wide receiver room, where SU lost multiple top pass catchers to the transfer portal, and where top recruit Calvin Russell III is dealing with a torn Achilles that has his season in doubt.

Furthermore, the Orange turned over several members of their coaching staff, with Vince Kehres being hired as the defensive coordinator and offensive staff member Nunzio Campanile moving on to become the offensive coordinator at UConn. 

The Orange will report to preseason camp in early August and they will begin the season on Sept. 5 against New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET.

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