Syracuse Football: 44 reasons that I’m optimistic about the ‘Cuse in 2022

It’s June and I’ve sat by throughout the offseason and watched as some pondered the future of Syracuse football. I can’t sit idly by though without sharing why I’m optimistic about the 2022 season.

I’m so optimistic that I’ll even give you 44 reasons I’m excited and optimistic about the upcoming season.

So here are 44 reasons I’m optimistic about Syracuse football in 2022.

– I love the fall and a clean slate.

– Every time I see that Syracuse trolley around the area, I’m excited about football season and want to ride it myself.

– The newly named JMA Wireless Dome will enhance the fan experience over time.

– Mikel Jones and Marlowe Wax along with Stefon Thompson are coming for your quarterback.

– Coach Robert Anae has had success at BYU & Virginia.

– The Rhino Returns: Chris Elmore is back and healthy.

– Food options are improving at the Dome but still have those Dome Dogs I love too.

– Syracuse football starts the season on September 3rd in prime time at home against Louisville & Malik Cunningham.

– Juwaun Price in the backfield will help open more options for the Syracuse football offense.

– Andre Szmyt decided to return and has a seasoned special teams coach to help.

– OC Robert Anae brought Jason Beck with him, who will help Garrett Shrader & the QB room in general.

– It’s almost time to start working on my game preview poems for the Syracuse football 2022 schedule.

– Some are already saying Head Coach Dino Babers is on the hot seat & the team will struggle so buy your tickets now before they start winning and ticket prices on the secondary market go up.

– Notre Dame isn’t playing Syracuse in New York City this time…the Irish are playing in the Loud House for only the 4th time ever (and one of those games was played in 1914).

– Duce, Garrett and the rest of the defensive secondary will make their presence known.

– I think one name NFL draft scouts might want to remember is the Canadian Sensation OL Matthew Bergeron. I also think Bleich and Ilaoa will be names that defensive linemen will struggle against more times than not if healthy.

– If the souvenir football nachos are back, that’s reason enough to go to games. Does anyone else miss those souvenir drink cups they had as well?

– Everyone remembers that Syracuse football only won 5 games last season but don’t forget at least three of those losses were 3 point losses against quality opponents, and if things improve Syracuse football could certainly contend for a bowl game this season.

– Pittsburgh lost its best QB to the draft and top WR to USC.

– Clemson’s OC is now HC at Virginia and with Syracuse playing both this season, this could be an opportunity to capitalize on a season where both are dealing with big changes.

– Last season both Courtney Jackson and Trebor Peña displayed abilities to make big plays on special teams and hopefully, we can see more of that in 2022.

– Speaking of WRs, barring a redshirt or injury by either one, two freshmen I’m very excited to watch are WR Donovan Brown and DL Francois Nolton Jr., who I think could make an impact as soon as this upcoming season.

– Syracuse’s September schedule has 3 evening games and a noon game slated for ESPN2. Also, 3 of the 4 are home games for the Orange with the only road game being a 7 pm game at UConn, which isn’t that far I don’t think for NYC-based Orange fans.

– I still believe Babers is the right man for the job and will prove it this season.

– Tailgates.

– Michael Johnson Jr. is the new outside receivers coach. He has coached in the NFL, at Oregon, FAU and Mississippi State. Can he help bolster the receiving corp and maybe even the tight end position working with OC & inside receivers coach Robert Anae?

– The bartenders and waitstaff at Tully’s and other places to watch Syracuse football games await your server-friendly tips.

– Is DL Caleb Okechukwu possibly the most underrated player on the Syracuse roster?  He did have 6 tackles and half of a sack against Rutgers last season and with a lot of experience on the defensive line gone to graduation, he’s likely one of the top guys who will step up to fill the role.

– Sadly no more battles for the best pizza on Marshall Street between Acropolis and Varsity with the closing of Acropolis but we will always have the battle between Manny’s and Shirt World.

– Single-game ticket sales begin this week.

– That Notre Dame game on October 29 will be an Orange Out and is a great chance to show pride in our program and the power of support.

– I believe Maximilian Mang will become Das Wunder Receiver and make some key plays this season.

– If Dakota Davis and Darius Tisdale stay healthy, OL coordinator Mike Schmidt will have some quality depth at a position that in the past has suffered due to injuries and lack of depth.

– Sean Tucker is number 34 on his jersey but number one in Orange hearts and HE’S BAAAACKK!!!!!

– Is Australian Maximilian Von Marburg the punter this team lacked last season or will someone show massive improvements from 2021?

– What if Syracuse football wins not only enough games to get a bowl bid but shocks the world and wins it all and you can say you were there from the start and believed in them?

– If Eric Coley is healthy, is he a leading contender to be the top safety for the Orange? I’ve always been a believer of his and not stopping now.

– Think of how much more enjoyable social media is when we enjoy watching the games together rather than constantly fighting over everything else in the world. What if we banded together more over things we love and stop fighting over everything constantly?

– I enjoy Coach Babers’ press conferences and being the face of the program. I feel like I’d genuinely enjoy sitting down and having a conversation with him over pizza if I ever had the opportunity.

– We’re only 11 weeks away from kicking off the season….basically one week less than the football season.

– I still think 44 should be on the field if a quality player wants to wear it and represent the university in a positive light and loved the excitement I felt seeing it when it was in use.

– Inside The Loud House will continue to share the voice of passionate fans who want only the best for everyone involved from fans to players to administrators.

– Syracuse has a bye week the second week in October so if you’re planning a wedding, apple picking or something where you can’t watch the game, that would be the ideal opportunity to plan now.

– I believe wholeheartedly that this 2022 team can be special and even contend for the ACC championship despite many already putting the coach on the “hot seat” or assuming a tough schedule means Syracuse can’t win. I believe in the Orange and I’m ready to support our team.