Why do people look down upon the home of the Orange?
Earlier this month, members of the Syracuse football program traveled to Charlotte, N.C. for the annual ACC Opening Kickoff event. The event featured media sessions with players and coaches from around the league. Selected members of the media also cast votes for the conference's preseason awards and All-Conference teams. But one vote that was not conducted during the July event was selecting the best stadiums in the conference.
However, a recent article by the USA Today did rank the football stadiums of the 17 schools representing the ACC. Some Orange fans are be discouraged by the JMA Wireless Dome's spot in the rankings.
Where does Syracuse football's JMA Wireless Dome rank among ACC football stadiums?
The JMA Wireless Dome ranked 9th among the 17 schools in the article. USA Today notes this in regards to the home of the Orange:
"How much you like novelty is a big part of what this stadium means to you. The JMA Wireless Dome is not especially pretty. It doesn't have the loudest atmosphere. But it is the only home dome in the Power Four, which makes it a fun quirky place to watch a game."
Did the recent renovations to the JMA Wireless Dome help the ranking?
From 2020-2024, the JMA Wireless Dome (formerly known as the Carrier Dome) underwent multiple renovations. The changes included:
--New fixed roof and air conditioning.
-Center-hung video board.
--Improved wi-fi network within the Dome.
--Color changing and seating replacement.
--Updated seat backing.
--Americans with Disabilities improvements, which included widening of aisles to 48 inches, replacement of vomitory ramps, and construction seating platforms and railing replacements.
While it is unclear if USA Today factored in those changes, it is likely that the improvements helped Syracuse improve its ranking within the conference.
What ACC stadiums will Syracuse football visit this season?
This season's schedule will feature the Orange visiting the No. 6, No. 7, No. 8, No. 9 and No. 17 ranked stadiums.
The highest ranked stadium? A matchup against the Virginia Cavaliers on Oct. 10
Ranked last in the article is the home of the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Panthers host the Orange on Sept. 17.
The Orange's only other road game is a non-conference games against UConn on Oct. 3.
Next time the Orange play a football game at home?
Kickoff for the regular season is set for Sept, 5 inside the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange host New Hampshire at 12 p.m. ET.
Join the Conversation
Remember to join our SYRACUSE on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Orange fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
