Before the Syracuse football 2022 schedule was released, I said that despite the tough teams on the schedule, I thought this team could still have success and be a bowl team based on what I have seen so far this offseason. And when the schedule came out, it does appear difficult but I still stand by it.
So I sat down and decided that instead of just saying that I believe it again, I wanted to break the games down one by one and give you the information you need to decide for yourself. I will go game by game with fun stats like head-to-head outcomes, players to watch, my way too early rating of difficulty, and a few other notes that might help.
Here are the teams scheduled and links to those that are already published in case you missed one:
UConn
Purdue
Virginia
Wagner
Bye Week
NC State
Clemson
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Florida State
Wake Forest
Boston College
Breaking down the Syracuse football contest at Connecticut.
Syracuse Orange vs UConn Huskies
September 10, 2022 (kick-off time and TV station TBD).
Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Last season head to head: did not play in 2021. Last played in 2018 and Syracuse won that one at home 51-21.
Opponent’s overall record last season: 1-11 (Beat Yale at home 21-15 for their only win last season).
Stats from their last face-off: Syracuse football QB Eric Dungey passed for 286 yards and 2 TDS and rushed for 77 yards and 3 touchdowns (build the guy a statue already). Moe Neal had 13 carries for 116 yards. Andre Szmyt was 3-3 in FG attempts. Current Seattle Seahawks player Alton Robinson had 3 sacks.
Possible level of difficulty on a scale of 1-10: I know some might want to say 0 or something based on their record last season but I’m giving this level of difficulty a 2. I tend to give the home team some chance at least because I’m a big believer that often crowds and being at home can add some inspiration. Also, this is a new season and a new head coach so just because UConn only won one game last season doesn’t mean it will be the same this season.
Key person on opposing team: Jim Mora. Randy Edsall is gone and the new UConn head coach is former NFL and UCLA head coach Jim Mora. Maybe he struggles since he’s been away from coaching for a few years or maybe he comes in and is successful right away. Mora has already attracted a transfer QB from Penn State who is a dual-threat and the unknown is often worse than the known.
How can Syracuse win: Since the Orange will likely be favored and it’s “their game to lose,” they have to go into East Hartford not looking past UConn and play good fundamentals. It doesn’t matter if you win by 3 or 30, just don’t get too reckless and lose this game. If Syracuse beats Louisville and comes in here too confident, this could end up being a “trap game.” Winning here is also key to fan interest because a loss will bring out the portion of fans calling for Head Coach Dino Babers to be fired (though even if they win, those same people will likely say “well it was just UConn”).
Other news, notes and nuggets:
- A former Big East foe, the NCAA has actually vacated two wins against them from 2004 and 2006. I think vacating wins is like hitting on a girl at the bar and then calling her ugly or denying it after…it did happen and nothing can change that. I lost all respect for the NCAA based on their decision on this case.
- Will Ta’Quan Roberson, the Penn State quarterback transfer I mentioned previously (who I believe had a Syracuse offer out of high school) or former Oregon/Northern Arizona transfer Cale Millen be the QB when Syracuse plays them? Cale is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds and can play in the pocket or be tough to tackle due to size if he runs. Ta’Quan is a former 4-star dual-threat recruit who only saw limited time at Penn State but could find a resurgence at UConn. There will definitely be a quarterback competition there this upcoming spring/summer.
- Is UConn a team that Syracuse football should schedule every year? I think yes. Barring ACC changes, Syracuse has a few out-of-conference games to schedule every season and my top three candidates are UConn, Tennessee and Penn State. UConn and Penn State bring history and a matchup even the casual fan knows whereas Tennessee is an SEC team that could make recruiting and viewing more desirable. You can tell recruits they’ll play an SEC team and give a fun game to fans and networks to sell. Also, UConn and Penn State aren’t a bad drive if you want to travel to support the Orange.
- Varsity > Mooyah.
- People are talking about a tough stretch of games in the Syracuse football schedule but UConn has Michigan and NC State after this Syracuse matchup, which for a team coming off a one-win season with a new coach and such might not be a favorable stretch if they’re going to struggle again this season.