So last month, I posted a quick preview and predictions about the September portion of the Syracuse football schedule. I don’t usually make predictions, but you readers who are amazing deserve what you are looking for and have been looking for something different from poems.
Unfortunately, life has been interesting since then, so I didn’t get to finish October and November, but now I’m here and I’ll give you my honest opinion as a die-hard Orange fan on what to expect.
Without further ado, here are the October games as scheduled now via cuse.com and some fun information that I hope will help us all enjoy the season boost to start together.
Here’s how I think the October games will play out for Syracuse football.
Wagner Seahawks at Syracuse Orange
Saturday, October 1 at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY
Time and TV TBD Radio-TK99
Syracuse football should win this game (especially if I base this on last season and Wagner was 0-11 last season). This is kind of a “trap game” because if you win, some fans will say “duh, they should have won” and if they lose or it’s close, those fans will turn their backs on the season and the program. In reality, this game should be Syracuse’s first game of the season and considered an exhibition as they should begin their year and work on Syracuse’s NFL or basketball lineups. But the TV networks own the soul of college sports, so it’s more important to distribute these games so that Week 1 is more attractive for the same reason that Syracuse football left the Big East (well more money, but also a more attractive schedule for sports network owners and fans who don’t want to see “smaller games”).
Prediction: Syracuse 44 – Wagner 9
NC State Wolfpack at Syracuse Orange
Saturday, October 15th at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY
Time and TV TBD Radio-TK99
Okay, so this is going to sound weird to some maybe if you look at the schedule, but this is the game I dread the most (Notre Dame is a VERY close second). The good news is that it’s home in the JMA Wireless Dome. The bad news is that NC State’s quarterback is Devin Leary, who last season broke Philip Rivers’ record for most touchdowns in a season and threw just 5 interceptions all season. I have seen many ACC insiders say they are expecting a big season and that is saying a lot as they are coming off a 9 win season last year. However, I think it’s worth noting that they were 2-3 playing away from home in the ACC last season, and if Syracuse football can win those first 5 games, maybe a big home crowd can help to ‘given the advantage to the Oranges.
Prediction: Syracuse 37 – NC State 34 in overtime
Syracuse Orange at Clemson Tigers
Saturday, October 22nd at “Death Valley” or Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC
Time and TV TBD Radio-TK99
Okay, let’s talk about Clemson. That game is at Clemson, and Syracuse football has proven they can play well there just by fumbling in the final 41 seconds of a game in Death Valley in 2018. Writing this in August makes it hard to say how will be this Clemson team but their offense wasn’t as effective last season as they have been in the past and their offensive coordinator is now coaching Virginia so will they be better or will they “fall off” again (they won 10 games)? Clemson is looking to prove they belong back in the national championship conversation, and Syracuse is out to prove this program deserves more respect.
Prediction: Syracuse 24 – Clemson 23
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Syracuse Orange
Saturday, October 29 at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY
Time and TV TBD Radio-TK99
The last time Syracuse beat Notre Dame was in 2008 in South Bend, as late Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson was in his final season and even appeared on the ESPN Gameday show. The last time Notre Dame played in Syracuse was in 2016 and the Irish won 50-33 (though people seem to only remember the two teams meeting outside of Syracuse when they relive history). Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for the SEC, but his coordinators stayed, so how will a team that barely missed the 4-team playoff last season respond? How many Irish fans will try to take over the Dome in an attempt to lessen the Dome’s home field advantage (Syracuse has a large Catholic community that supports the school) and how many Syracuse football fans can make this feel like the old Loud House if this Is the team as good as I predicted? Can Syracuse football prove they belong in the national conversation because this game could be on a big stage if both teams play well whether it’s on NBC/Peacock or ESPN?
Prediction: Syracuse 41 – Notre Dame 38