Syracuse Football: #TheDisrespectIsReal, CBS Sports rankings wrong

“I’m mad as h*** and I’m not going to take this anymore!” is a quote from the movie Network and a quote from me when I keep reading how many outlets are just casually saying Syracuse football will stink this coming season.

And I’m sorry but my #TheDisrespectIsReal mentality, while it comes from a passionate and positive fan that I am, is also a slap in the face to the program because of one awful season and a couple of “maybe we could’ve done better seasons.”

But where oh where do the football experts from CBS Sports and 247Sports rate Syracuse football this season out of 130 teams?

NINTY SIX!!!!!

NINTY SIX? Really??? Really!!! By the way, for a point of reference, Troy is ahead of Syracuse football at 95! San Diego State is 60, Toledo is 64, Tulane is 75 and even the UTSA (the University of Texas at San Antonio) comes in at 78, while Syracuse football is 96.

I ask, is this a case of ignorance to the extent that the good ole “experts” saw their record last season and jumped on the “well they were bad last season so they’ll be bad again this season” bandwagon. Or was there any research involved?

Did they ask if the offensive line, that had injury issues, is healthier this season, deeper and more experienced? Did they ask if the Orange looked at the QB play last season and asked if it was addressed this off-season (which it was)? Did they take into account all the talent in the backfield this season?

Did they look at the defense and think just because three guys went pro, they will struggle? Do they think head coach Dino Babers is a bad coach? I honestly don’t know because there are zero reasons for the criteria listed, but I do know that I think 96 out of 130 is a slap in the face to this program, and I hope the players and staff see this stuff and demand some respect!

Syracuse football is a sub-par No. 96 in national rankings from CBS Sports and 247Sports for the 2021 season.

I’ll continue with my rant. We aren’t going to put any respect on Josh Black and Kingsley Jonathan for being returning seniors and leaders on a mission to prove last year was a fluke? No respect for the work Sean Tucker and Cooper Lutz did behind that offensive line that had injury/depth issues and is now deeper and healthier, not to mention Abdul Adams and Jarveon Howard are returning and Chris “Rhino” Elmore will help open holes to success?

You think Matthew Bergeron, Airon Servais, Darius Tisdale and the finally eligible, Florida transfer Chris Bleich, and others, aren’t coming into the 2021 season wanting to earn some respect?

No respect for Eric Coley and the great work Garrett Williams did last year when two studs who are now in the NFL were injured? Is there no respect from any in the football media about the impact of having a newly renovated Dome and tons of excited fans in the Loud House, which was once a huge home-field advantage, will have on this season after a season of empty bleachers?

Having said all that, is it possible this team could still only win one game again or even worse, never win a game this season? Sure! Just like it’s possible there is a sleeping giant being woke up and ready to pounce and lead Syracuse football to its first undefeated season since 1987 (freaking Auburn).

We won’t know until this team hits the field but to look at last season and how they struggled, and not even notice that issues were addressed and realize this is a new season, is beyond frustrating to me.

You don’t want this team in the top 10 or 20? Fine! I understand that but if you’re telling me that because Syracuse football struggled so badly last season due to many valid reasons, yet that’s your barometer to measure success, then I have no choice but to issue a rebuttal on behalf of many who do see things differently this season.

I know some people will think I look at the 10-win season and “the good ole days” and I’m being misled by my fandom, but why is looking at a negative season or two so much more reliable? Coach Mac, who I love and adored, was 66-46-4 (if Wikipedia is correct). BUT Coach Mac went 25-30 in his first 5 seasons, while Coach Babers is at 24-36 (if my research and math are correct), which isn’t that much further off. Coach Mac coached that undefeated season in year 7, after a losing season the previous year.

Am I an optimistic fanboy rooting for Dino Babers? Absolutely…especially with no sure-fire plan B that you can guarantee will be more successful in place. Why wouldn’t I be? And as a proud fan, I like that he’s the man representing the program I’ve loved for over 40 years, not just coaching players on the field but helping mold young men off the field as well who represent the university that I love.

But I will also say that if he struggled nearly as much as some coaches had, and I saw no hope in sight, I’d be writing a different story. Just like I would have been during the Greg Robinson era, had I had this platform (although I’ll go to my grave believing Coach P and maybe even Coach Shafer deserved at least one more season).

I am a fan defending the honor of the Orange I so dearly love. There is a reason my friends and wife surprised me at my wedding with Otto, and when I go to football games, I put on Orange makeup and wigs and go all out!

I’ll be the first to admit Orange Chuck is an Orange homer, but I also know when I see failure and when I see reasons to root for SU. Right now, I see reasons to stay optimistic until proven otherwise, or proven a guaranteed plan B that is more successful.

But until then I’m going to defend our “Ohana” and stand by the coaches and players I believe in. And I’m also going to use my voice to counter those who think Syracuse football is a bottom-feeding 96 out of 130 teams type of program, because I disagree.

As I said at the start about the pessimism and negativity before this season even starts, #TheDisrespectIsReal and “I’m mad as h***and I’m not going to take it anymore!!!”

LET’S GO ORANGE!!!!