Syracuse Football: My 2022 predictions (some bold) for the Orange

Happy New Year everyone and I wish you a happy 2022. 2021 was not my favorite year but by the time you read this, it will be history and time to focus on the present and future. And while I know that when it pertains to Syracuse football, many will look at the 2021 season and be skeptical and I get it, BUT I am looking at 2022 filled with optimism and excitement.

Syracuse football struggled and I understand that but I also see many key impact players returning along with some new hires in the postseason I think were home runs. You have an All-American running back returning in Sean Tucker, possible NFL prospects Mikel Jones, Duce Chestnut and Garrett Williams as well as an experienced offensive line and another season under a very effective defense.

I am genuinely excited for the 2022 Syracuse football season and the possibilities. So with that said, I thought I would share predictions I feel could happen. Some are things I think should happen, some I would like to happen and some maybe are just a bit fun.

Here is my list of predictions for the 2022 Syracuse football season:

Sean Tucker will get a HUGE Heisman campaign

Syracuse football will play in the Fenway Bowl

The Orange will beat Clemson and Pitt on the road

Syracuse vs Wagner Dome Game is Dollar Day ($1 dome dogs, $1 sodas and $5 dome foams)

Mikel Jones gets first-day NFL draft discussions

Courtney Jackson and incoming freshman Donovan Brown will be the top 2 receivers in catches and yard

The Quad will hold a pregame concert for the FSU game

Duce Chestnut and Garrett Williams will both finish top 5 in interceptions in the ACC

Syracuse football will reveal an Eric Dungey statue of him hurdling a player at the Louisville game

Chris Elmore gets multiple touchdowns at TE

Syracuse vs Notre Dame on October 29th sells at least 35k tickets

Justyn Knight, Kathrine Switzer and Alyssa Manley get jerseys in the rafters

Andre Szmyt returns to a Lou Groza Award caliber season and in the conversation to repeat

The Notre Dame game will be Homecoming/Orange Central & the Virginia game will be Senior Day

Syracuse vs Purdue will have a 4 tickets for $44 in the 300 section deal

Garrett Shrader’s passing game will improve with the new coaching hires but also JaCobian Morgan will see more snaps than he did in 2021

Stefon Thompson and Marlowe Wax will go back and forth with leading the team in sacks unless Jared Verse commits to Syracuse football

Syracuse football will clinch a bowl game by beating NC State at home and Marshall Street will be filled with people shouting “Let’s Go Orange” on the way to the banner flip

Bergeron, Bleich, Ilaoa, Tisdale and Davis will form an impressive offensive line

Punting will make a massive improvement in 2022 with Coach Ligashesky in charge

Syracuse announces a new name deal for the Carrier Dome…the Hofmann Hot Haus and turn off the AC to make it like it used to be

Head Coach Dino Babers will return in 2023 after a successful 8-win season