Syracuse football: 2026 season predictions from the TNIAAM staff

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As we work closer to the opening kickoff of the Syracuse Orange season, we put our staff season predictions out there for the world to see.

What are we predictiong for overall record, ACC record and bowl appearance, here we go…..

Kevin: 6-6, 4-5; JLAB Birmingham Bowl vs. Auburn

I’m not sure that the Orange will start off well as they rotate in a number of new starters on offense, but I feel good about this team performing much better over the season with Steve Angeli at QB. Syracuse fans shouldn’t panic if this team starts off 1-1 or even 1-2 because I think they will find a way to win some road games thanks to Angeli’s experience and an opportunistic defense. It’s not the most exciting bowl trip, but a game against a SEC opponent is a step back in the right direction.

Christian: 5-7, 3-6; No Bowl

I was on Orange Nation earlier this week. Based on some of my answers, Steve Infanti asked me if I thought the trenches were the weak part of this team. I responded yes, and unfortunately for the Orange, the trenches are pretty stacked for the rest of the ACC. Syracuse has a proven quarterback, at least one running back with experience, proven linebackers, proven safeties, and probably a top-three cornerback duo in the conference. However, so much of football is built from the foundation of the offensive and defensive line. The only place where Syracuse seemingly upgraded significantly in that department is on defensive end. Did an offseason full of coaching changes and new philosophies do enough to improve the returning talent for the Orange? I’m leaning no, but I’d love to be wrong.

Mike: 6-6, 4-5; Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl vs. North Texas

This prediction comes with the asterisk of having a healthy Steve Angeli all season, as even with better backup options this time, the Orange offense will need his expertise leading them through a volley of high pressure situations. On the other side, I’m particularly excited to have a secondary with legitimate depth and Fran’s very hands-on coaching guiding them. Syracuse will still have to win several conference games by out passing the opponent, but at least they finally have the tools to not get constantly beat over the top. As much as I wish I could put 7-5 down instead, the Week 4 bye is a brutal draw that I think hampers SU’s chances at pulling off more than one big upset. Consolation is an early warm weather bowl and a Brown v. Brown / Mean Green v. Orange matchup.

Dom: 5-7, 3-6; No Bowl

Very tough call here. I think any regular season result in the 5-7 win range is completely realistic. My concerns mainly rely on the offense. Angeli is coming back from the most brutal injury in sports. Even if he’s recovered well from the Achilles tear, there’s still an adjustment period to getting back to competitive football. Syracuse’s system relies on multiple pass-catching threats, and there’s a lot of uncertainty with that depth chart – Calvin Russell III’s injury further complicates things. I think Syracuse will have a better running game, but the O-line is typically a concern, and that’s the same case this year. Defensively, I’m predicting a step in the right direction under new DC Vince Kehres, but stopping the run is still a big worry. As for the schedule, it has the potential to be an uphill climb. Syracuse opens ACC play early with Cal, then has a short rest before Pitt. After a bye, it’s three straight road games followed by home games against SMU and Clemson. Tough stretch. Overall, I’m seeing clear improvement from 2025 and much closer games over the course of the year, but no bowl.

Augie: 7-5, 5-4, Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Nebraska

I am going to take the optimistic approach and assume that the Orange will be healthy and drink some of the Steve Angeli Kool Aid. When sitting in Memorial Stadium last season and watching Angeli do pretty much whatever he wanted against the Clemson defense up until his injury, it was clear that he was the real deal. Obviously coming back from an injury leaves a bit of uncertainty as to whether or not he will reach that level of play again, but from what the coaching staff has been saying it seems like he is on the right track. Plus, I like Amari Odom and the dual threat nature he provides if for some reason Angeli gets hurt again. I am also aware that Fran Brown is going to be willing to take risks and is not going to go down against any opponent without swinging. I think the Orange will get hot at some point during conference play and rattle off three consecutive conference wins that nobody really predicted. The games that will make or break the season are California and Clemson coming to the Dome, and the Orange heading to Raleigh to take on NC State. All three of those games appear to be toss ups, but if Syracuse can come out with 2 wins out of those 3 games they should be going bowling this season.

Tanner: 7-5, 5-4 Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl vs. East Carolina 

With the Orange healthy this year I think and improved in multiple areas. The defensive line is definitely the most improved heading into the year with the offensive line given us the most question marks. But I think the in season development is going to be really crucial and the coaching moves that Fran Brown made will pay dividends this season. Defensively we will see more consistent pass rush with additions made from the portal and more blitzing due to having two lockdown corners on either side. I think I see a bit more balance coming from the offense later in the season.I think the ceiling for this group is 7 wins. There are a lot of toss ups in this year’s schedule, I see this group winning at home against Louisville who I expect to be ranked when the Cards come to Central New York. Important to note SU is 2-0 against Top 25 opponents under Fran Brown. Both wins happened in his first year. I see the Orange getting a win against NC State on the road in Raleigh. The big loss I can see happening against Clemson on homecoming weekend and at the end of the year against Notre Dame. 

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Now it’s your turn to give us your season predictions in the comments.

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