Syracuse Football: Ranking 2nd half of 2019 schedule by difficulty

Syracuse football is set to begin the 2nd half of their schedule. Here’s an inside look at what games will be the most difficult per the analytics.

Syracuse football is halfway through the 2019 season. In six games the Orange are sitting at a mediocre 3-3.

So with six games left in the regular season, here’s a full ranking of the remaining schedule based on the ESPN FPI Analytics and some interesting trends.

6. At Louisville, November 23rd

Louisville currently sits at 3-2, and are coming off a great win against Boston College. While road wins are always hard to achieve, this is Syracuse’s easiest game left on the schedule. Louisville came into the 2019 season projected to finish last in the ACC. This is a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, and their schedule is about to get very hard. They still have Clemson and Virginia left, along with a trip to Lexington to take on their rival Kentucky at the end of the year. Despite my optimism about this game, Syracuse only has a 37% chance to win this game according to ESPN’s FPI winnability rate.

5. At Duke, November 16

This is another game where ESPN’s FPI doesn’t agree with me, but Duke is not a very good football team in 2019. ESPN’s FPI gives the Orange just a 28% chance to win this game, but it’s a game the Orange will win. Duke is currently 1-1 in the ACC and fresh off a home loss to Pitt. Duke’s schedule is extremely brutal as well. The game vs the Orange is sandwiched between Duke’s matchups with Notre Dame and Wake Forest. Those two big games make me believe that Duke may overlook SU on November 16, and when teams who aren’t very good look over an opponent, bad things will happen.

4. Vs Boston College, November 2

When we look back at the end of the year, this might be the game Syracuse finds the easiest. Boston College is not the same team as last year, even though they still have A.J. Dillon. Dillon is a running back you do not want to get going because this big and physical back will keep coming and coming, until the defense is worn out. I like Syracuse’s chances in this game because if you shut down Dillon, the Golden Eagles don’t have much more they can hurt you with. Plus, this is a home game for the Orange, and I’m banking on the idea that the Dome will be rocking that day! The  Orange may win in a blowout. ESPN’s FPI gives the Orange a 68% chance to win

3.  Vs Pittsburgh, November 18

This is another home game for Syracuse, but man will it be a hard one. Pittsburgh is a team that is the exact opposite of Syracuse. They are big and physical. They love to run the ball and play great defense, which is kind of the opposite of Syracuse, who likes to play fast and play in a shootout. ESPN’s FPI says this game is a coin flip, giving Syracuse the slight edge at 51%, but I’m nervous that the different styles of play may get the better of the Orange on this day. This game will surely go down to the wire!

2. Vs Wake Forest, November 30

As of right now, the final home game of the year looks like it might be the 2nd toughest home game for the Orange this season. Wake Forest is currently ranked 19th in the country, and they have a lethal passing attack. The Orange’s inconsistent play on defense makes me worry that the Demon Deacons may have a huge day in Central New York, but that game is still a long way away. These two teams may be completely different when this game kicks off. Wake Forest has a slight advantage when it comes to the FPI at 52%, mainly because the Orange are at home. Syracuse will surely need a loud atmosphere to help them out on defense in this game.

1. At Florida State, October 26

Well, I finally found a game where the FPI and I agree (FSU 76% chance to win). Yes, I know the Seminoles are not the Seminoles of previous years, but this is clearly the hardest game left for the Orange. Florida State still has great athletes all over the field, and they have a very electric home field advantage that will be a huge challenge to Tommy DeVito and the offense. I also find this game very challenging because of Willie Taggart. I say Taggart scares me because this man is coaching for his life in Tallahassee! He can’t afford any losses at this stage of his career if he wants to be the Florida State coach at least. I hate to say it, but the Seminoles are going to roll Syracuse on October 26.