30. Training camp starts August 2nd
This means that Syracuse football will become official VERY shortly. There’s no looking back from there. If the Orange truly want to become 2020 College Football Playoff contenders, all focus must start when training camp begins on August 2nd.
29. Syracuse can not overlook Liberty
Look, people are going to write this one as a win for the Orange right away. However, that would be foolish. The Flames went 6-6 a season ago, which included a 5-1 record at home, which is where Syracuse will be facing off against this Liberty squad.
What’s more? The Flames landed a former quarterback at Auburn, Malik Willis, who is reportedly eligible to play right away. To make this even scarier, Hugh Freeze, the former Head Coach at Ole Miss will be starting his first season at the helm for Liberty. This smells like a trap game, so Syracuse needs to be prepared.
28. Syracuse vs. Maryland on September 7th is key
Right now, this is the non-conference game that has Orange fans pumped, but also a bit on edge. Maryland will most likely not start the season ranked, while Syracuse will, which gives the Orange an edge on paper. However, this is a Terps team that is projected to be bowl eligible, and also has playmakers all over the field that could get a feisty home crowd going. The key to stopping Maryland on offense will be keeping running back Anthony McFarland in check. He rushed for over 1,000 yards a year ago as a freshman, and will most likely be looking to add to that this season.
27. Syracuse vs. Clemson is Primetime on ABC
THIS is the game that all Syracuse fans have circled. Heck, Clemson fans probably have it circled as well. Over the past two seasons, no team has given the Tigers more trouble than Syracuse. After the Orange upset Dabo Swinney’s crew at the Carrier Dome in 2017, they nearly pulled off the same feat last year, only losing by four points after leading by double-digits at the half. Now, as the Trevor Lawrence vs Tommy DeVito age starts, Syracuse will be looking to pull off yet another tremendous win, this time, on ABC at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
26. The rest of the 2019 slate is very winnable
At this point, you might be thinking, “how on earth is this team going to get out of the 2019 season alive”? While those first three games are tougher than most, there is no reason to fear! The Orange catch a break, with back to back games against Western Michigan and Holy Cross, before focusing entirely on an ACC schedule that DOESN’T include Virginia, Virginia Tech, or Miami – three teams who are projected to make bowl games in 2019. This doesn’t mean the ‘Cuse won’t face any tests. NC State, Pitt, Florida State, and Boston College will all be tough games, but this is definitely a much more favorable conference schedule than in past years.