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Syracuse, N.Y. – The Syracuse Orange football team suffered an uninspiring first loss of the season on Saturday, dropping a 21-18 contest against California at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange are 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play.

While the loss was difficult on its own, could it actually have far-reaching consequences?

Like, could the loss actually cost the Orange a chance at a winning season?

Here's what we mean: Syracuse has a handful of games its going to be expected to win, and a handful it's going to be expected to lose. The Cal game was a "swing game," so how does the loss impact things moving forward?

Let's dive in.

Toughest projected games remaining for Syracuse

vs. Notre Dame, vs. SMU, vs. Louisville, @ Virginia 

All four teams are nationally ranked entering Week 3. Notre Dame is considered by some as the overall best team in the country. SMU, Virginia and Louisville are all teams that could win the ACC. The Orange will likely enter each game as a double-digit underdog.

Easiest projected games remaining for Syracuse

Boston College? North Carolina?

The question marks are on purpose. In August, both Boston College and North Carolina looked to be winnable games for Syracuse. However, since the season kicked off, both the Eagles and Tar Heels are looked strong. 

Boston College stands at 1-1 after a loss against Cincinnati and a win against Rutgers.

The Tar Heels are 2-0 and led by legendary head coach Bill Belichick. They beat TCU in their season-opening win.

Rest of the schedule 

@ Pittsburgh, @ UConn, vs. Clemson, @ NC State

The Orange will need to win all of these games, along with one of the projected "easier," games to get to the six-win mark. Syracuse did not play NC State last season and lost to Pittsburgh, but defeated Clemson and UConn.

Syracuse enters Thursday night as a 10-point underdog against Pittsburgh, meaning that will be a tall task.

Has the Syracuse win total moved after the loss to California?

No. Most sportsbooks listed Syracuse's over/under win total at 4.5. So, they don't see the loss on Saturday as significant to the overall projections. However, it makes the race to six wins tougher.

Why six wins is a benchmark number

Getting to six wins and at least a .500 record would qualify Syracuse for a bowl game at the end of the season. A bowl game would be a significant accomplishment for the program. The ultimate goal is to make the College Football Playoff game, but a bowl game is still important. And it's been rare for the Orange over the last quarter century.

A 6-6 or better record in this regular season would be just the 10th time in the last 25 years. 

Paul Pasqualoni was the last coach to achieve three bowl game appearances as the head coach of the Orange. "Coach P" accomplished that feat in 2004. Fran Brown is hoping to qualify for a second bowl game. The Orange also made one in 2024.

What's next for Syracuse football?

The Orange will be back in action on Thursday night against Pitt in an extremely quick turnaround. This will be the second ACC game for SU, and it will also be the first road test of the year.

The rivalry game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

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