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

Mat Mlodzinski, Contributor

This is the year of Syracuse football.

After coming off its first 10-win season since 2001, the Orange are primed to follow that up again with another spectacular season.

They bring back well over half of their starters from a year ago, including a hefty amount of offensive production. The Orange did lose veteran QB Eric Dungey, leading WR Jamal Custis, and defensive powerhouse Chris Slayton. However, they bring back Kendall Coleman and Alton Robinson; who both had 10.0 sacks a season ago; senior RB Moe Neal, multiple starting wideouts, and two All-Americans in safety Andre Cisco and kicker Andre Szmyt.

On top of that, prized quarterback Tommy DeVito will be under center, with impact transfers Abdul Adams and Triston Jackson also there to help boost the offense.

To me, lofty expectations are a must, because while they make goals a bit tougher to achieve, they also make the end reward even better if they are accomplished. I see this team reaching a New Year’s Six Bowl Game, and finishing at 12-1 in the process. I also predict the Orange to finish in the top eight in the final AP Poll.

While this may seem high, it is very attainable. Syracuse has a fairly easy schedule, with early tests at Maryland and versus Clemson as the only real tough games on the schedule. After that, it’s a whole lot of middle of the pack and bottom feeders in the ACC, potentially allowing for a lot of wins for Dino Babers and co.

It will for sure be a fun year – I don’t see any situation playing out where they ‘Cuse team doesn’t win at least eight games. However, to me, it’s double-digit wins or bust, and a College Football Playoff Appearance can’t be ruled out if the Orange can take out Clemson.