Sure, the Atlantic Coast Conference plans to announce its league match-ups next Thursday, Jan. 28, and Syracuse football already has four non-conference battles on the books.
While it’s not known as this time whether the ACC will remain with a one-division look for 2021, as it did in the recently concluded stanza when the Orange went 1-10, Nate Mink of Syracuse.com writes that “The pre-pandemic 2021 SU conference schedule included games against Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Boston College, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech.”
Of course, given the novel coronavirus pandemic and the logistical and travel challenges that it brings, we’ll have to wait and see until Jan. 28 what the ‘Cuse ACC docket will entail.
Mink also notes that the Syracuse football non-conference calendar features a road duel at Ohio, as well as Carrier Dome clashes versus Rutgers, Liberty and Albany.
https://twitter.com/ACCFootball/status/1352684987930333185
Okay, great, now that we’ve got all of that out in the open, just for fun’s sake, who do we really want to see the Orange suit up versus in the 2021 stanza?
A splendid Syracuse football schedule for the upcoming term.
I asked Syracuse football fans to weigh in on social media, and I have some of my own thoughts. So what follows is not to be taken at all seriously, but nonetheless, we’re unveiling what is undeniably the most incredible 2021 schedule that the ‘Cuse could ever possess.
First things first, in the non-conference, it all starts with Alabama. I know, I know. The Crimson Tide would probably prevail by at least 50 or more points.
But Alabama is fresh off its sixth national title in 12 years, and former Syracuse football head coach Doug Marrone is reportedly joining the Crimson Tide as its offensive line coach.
Besides Alabama, I’ll go with fellow New York state team Buffalo, which ended 2020 at 6-1 and ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press top-25 poll.
For the remaining two non-conference games, let’s take on Cincinnati, a former Big East Conference rival that was a top-10 squad in 2020.
And, finally, Syracuse football could square off with Kent State, which had a 3-1 record a season ago and has former Orange wide receiver Nykeim Johnson on its roster, along with former ‘Cuse assistant coach Sean Lewis as that team’s head coach.
https://twitter.com/LoudHouseFS/status/1347908712279793665
For the Orange’s eight ACC meetings, even though they’re likely losses, we need to bring on Clemson and Notre Dame, although the Fighting Irish could revert back to its independent status in 2021.
I really felt that the ‘Cuse had an excellent shot to best Boston College and N.C. State in 2020, so let’s add in the Eagles and the Wolfpack.
Conversely, Syracuse football got crushed by Louisville and North Carolina last year, so I want to see them on the calendar. Hopefully, the Orange will put in better showings against both of these ACC foes.
Last but not least, Pittsburgh is a solid rival, if the ‘Cuse even has one in football. The Panthers have to be on the docket. And for the eighth encounter, Virginia Tech works.
The Hokies are a former Big East opponent, and whenever I see Syracuse football against Virginia Tech, it brings me back to my days as a student on the Hill in the late 1990s. Good times.