Syracuse Football: 2019 crystal ball bold predictions, top x-factors

Neil Adler, Contributor

The Syracuse football squad enters the 2019 regular season with lofty expectations. Head coach Dino Babers has the Orange trending in the right direction, as the ‘Cuse wrapped up the 2018 stanza at 10-3 and ranked No. 15 in the final AP top-25 poll. Syracuse will have a new starting quarterback, Tommy DeVito, beginning this fall.

By all accounts, DeVito is expected to shine. With a potentially explosive offense, a stellar special-teams unit, and some strong players returning on the defensive side, look for the Orange to remain in the top tier of the Atlantic Coast Conference during the 2019 campaign.

Syracuse’s first two affairs are on the road, which is a bit unusual. The ‘Cuse will take down Liberty in the season opener but fall in College Park to Maryland. Then the defending national champions, those suffocating Clemson Tigers, come to the Dome. The Orange will hang tough, although Clemson will prevail.

Syracuse will defeat Western Michigan and Holy Cross, both at home. A trip to N.C. State will result in a setback. The physical Pittsburgh Panthers will prove a physical test in Central New York, however, the ‘Cuse will get the job done. The Orange will conquer Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., as well as Boston College on the Hill. Up next is a pair of away tilts at Duke and Louisville. While not easy match-ups, Syracuse will succeed in each encounter.

Finally, to conclude the 2019 term, the ‘Cuse will host Wake Forest. Book that in the victory column for the Orange. At a mark of 9-3, Syracuse will land in second place in the ACC’s Atlantic Division, behind the aforementioned Tigers. Such a record will catapult the ‘Cuse into a major bowl, and a win there will propel the Orange to another 10-3 performance and top-15 finish across the country.