The 2026 regular season gets underway Saturday afternoon inside the JMA Wireless Dome.
After months of anticipation, Syracuse football fans can once again see their team play in person this weekend. The Orange officially start the regular season at noon ET inside the JMA Wireless Dome against New Hampshire.
Led by head coach Fran Brown, the Orange are hoping to complete another double-digit win season like they did during Brown's first season in 2024. A double-digit win season would likely place the Orange in contention for both an ACC championship and College Football Playoff selection. However, Syracuse went just 3-9 a season ago, meaning there is work to do.
Here's what you need to know before Syracuse hosts New Hampshire Saturday.
Recapping 2025 football season for the Orange
Steve Angeli, a Notre Dame transfer, won the starting quarterback job in August over Rickie Collins. In just four starts for the Orange, Angeli helped lead the team to a 3-1 record, including a road victory over the Clemson Tigers. Angeli suffered an Achilles tendon tear and missed the remainder of the season late in that game. Syracuse suffered eight straight losses following the injury and finished 3-9 overall.
The quarterback position that followed could not match Angeli's production from earlier in the season.
Scouting the Wildcats
New Hampshire kicked off its season on the road against fellow FCS school UAlbany in Week 0. The Wildcats entered the game as a 13.5-point favorite but were upset by the Great Danes, 28-14.
UNH's disappointing showing could lead to some lineup adjustments and depth chart movement, making UNH a little more unpredictable from a scouting perspective.
Sean Goldrich is in his first season as the Wildcats head coach.
Saturday's matchup is the first time the two schools have ever faced off.
Syracuse's success in home openers
Syracuse football has had a long history of success in home games to start off a season. The Orange hold a 96-34-4 record.
Since 1980, the first season in which the Carrier Dome (now known as the JMA Wireless Dome) opened, Syracuse is 27-19 in home debuts. More recently, the Orange have won 10 of their last 12 games at home to lead off the season.
Health status of impact players
Angeli is scheduled to be the team's starting quarterback in game one. Linebacker Gary Bryant III, wide receiver Tyshawn Russell, running back Ju'Juan Johnson were all omitted from Monday’s depth chart, but could see action regardless.
Where can you follow Saturday's action?
The ACC Network will have the coverage at noon ET. On the audio side, fans can listen on TK99/105 (99.5/100.5 FM) and WAER (88.3) in Syracuse, or through Cuse.com. Following the game on Saturday, SyracuseRoundtable will be offering insight and takeaways from the JMA Wireless Dome.
