Syracuse Football: Breaking down 2022 schedule, starting with Louisville

The Syracuse football fanbase and media are abuzz as the 2022 football schedule was recently released. We knew the opponents and where they were playing but not when and now it’s official.

I know there are stretches that people are talking about that look good and bad on paper. Some of that is true but you’re Syracuse and this is the ACC so easy schedules aren’t going to happen. I will say my only complaint is that the NFL gets 3-4 exhibition games before the season and college had 1-2 “tune-up” games that are now often played later in the season to appease network contracts.

I would have loved to have Wagner and UConn in the first 2-3 games personally but money and more knowledgeable heads than I put this together and I’m just here for the ride. So since it’s official, I wanted to take a look at the schedule and break it down game by game.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll give a REAL early breakdown game by game but I’ll say this…the schedule isn’t easy but I do think a bowl game is still possible.

Let’s start by breaking down Syracuse football hosting Louisville.

Syracuse Orange vs Louisville Cardinals

September 3, 2022 (time and viewing options TBD)

Location: Carrier Dome

Last season head to head: 41-3 Louisville

Opponent’s overall record last season: 6-7

Stats from their last face-off: Sean Tucker rushed 19 times for 95 yards. Andre Szmyt was 1 for 1 for 43 yards. Garrett Shrader completed 10 of 18 passes for 46 yards. Mikel Jones had a sack.

Possible level of difficulty on a scale of 1-10: I will give Louisville a 6 because I do expect Syracuse to improve on last year’s record but Louisville did win in a blowout. I would consider this a 7 or 8 but giving Syracuse points for it being at home.

Key player on opposing team: Malik Cunningham. Malik torched the Syracuse Orange defense for 209 yards and 4 touchdowns. Malik might be arguably the best QB Syracuse will face this season, at worst top 3. The Louisville defense was solid limiting Syracuse to 3 points but even Coach Dino Babers said before and after the game, he was a powerful opponent.

How Syracuse can win: Star running back Sean Tucker will have to be a factor in every game but especially this one. If the opposing defense can contain him, the passing game will have to be better than it was last time they played. Tucker never got in the end zone and Shrader only passed for 46 yards so the offense HAS to be better. The secondary will have to play better and not allow 4 touchdowns.

Also, the front line and linebackers will have to contain Malik at least some because he can run if he gets space. With a new special teams coach and being at home, the punts and field goals will be vital especially if this is a close game like I’m leaning towards in looking at this in February.

Other news, notes and nuggets:

– Former Louisville safety Bralyn Oliver transferred to Syracuse football via the portal.
– Season tickets are already available.
– Louisville coach Scott Satterfield was very successful at Appalachian State before taking the Louisville job in 2019. He was 51-24 at App State which included the time span of moving the program from FCS to the FBS level. His record at Louisville is 18-18 since taking the job.
– Dome dogs are delicious.
– According to winsipedia.com, Louisville has the head-to-head advantage at 13-7 and has won the last three, which I believe were all in Louisville with this one being played in Syracuse.
– Syracuse will have their spring game televised on the ACC Network this season if you want to get a sneak preview of some of the newer editions to the roster. It’s on April 1st, but I don’t think it’s a joke.